My 7 Alligator Lizards

[ReptileZooMom]

These are my 7! I had two and got five more Saturday. They were a little hungry but otherwise pretty healthy! They're beauties I uploaded some pictures below.

[tikichick]

Too cute! Have you kept that kind of lizard before? I'm curious what their temperament is like?

[ReptileZooMom]

Originally Posted by tikichick

Too cute! Have you kept that kind of lizard before? I'm curious what their temperament is like?

Well, I've owned them for about four months now. They're skiddish as babies but if you handle them frequently they get tame and become attached to you...here I copied this off a website, its what people have to say about their alligator lizards...

---“They’re really fidgety as babies; like Blazing Diamond says but as they get older they slow down and love to sit on your finger while you watch TV or while you walk around.”

---“Some people will say these are lizards that you cannot handle a ton, and they’re just for viewing but I don’t think this makes these lizards happy. Out of my years of owning these lizards mine have always seemed happiest when they are out of the tank.”

---“I've seen how sharp their teeth are, and wild alligator lizards might try to use them put pets don’t…not if you spend time handling them.”

---“Don’t let people tell you they will bite you. If you hold them a lot then they aren’t going to turn around and latch on your finger. They are not unpredictable unless they’re wild and never been held.”

---“I owned one alligator lizard in my lifetime and I loved him. He would sit with me and what not. Those eyes kind of scared me at first but I learned to love them.”

---“Mine will bask outside while I do yard work. I put them all in a container and they will sit there and soak up the sun and let me put them in the grass. They’re quick little fellers though and no matter how much they love you they’ve always got their instincts, so be careful when you have them outside.”

---“I lost my first two due to feeding them mealworms before I saw Blazing Diamond’s site. I got educated quickly from Blazing and got a couple. They are happy and healthy. Just remember not to feed mealworms. Even if mine are full grown I would never feed mealworms again.”

---“I don’t have time to own lizards anymore but I do remember the only kind of lizard I owned and the only kind I would ever own and that is the Alligator lizard. It takes time to tame them but it pays off.”

---“Whether you handle them or not they are amazing to examine in their tanks and also great pets if you do decide to handle them.”

---“The colors of the alligator lizard (particularly yours Blazing Diamond!!!!!!) are outstandingly gorgeous!!!

---“At first when I had juvies and hatchlings I didn’t like this species of lizard that much but I fought back my thoughts and kept on holding them and handling them and as they got older and calmed down they really took onto me and the hand that takes them out of their tank!!!”

---“Many people will say this lizard is beautiful. Many people will say it is nice. Others will say it is unpredictable. Or has a hard bite…or will bite you no matter what…and you are probably wondering WHAT exactly you should believe. Take it from me. I have owned them for 20 years. They are beautiful. They can be nice (if they are handled from a young age). They can be unpredictable (if they are not handled from a young age). They do have a hard bite (their teeth are sharp). They will not bite you ‘no matter what’.”

---“Just wanted to say that having a wild caught alligator lizard is definitely not a good idea. They are wild animals and belong in the wild. They were born free they should stay free. Get one that was bred in captivity instead. They can be just as beautiful, are not as unpredictable as wild caught and you can raise them the way you want from their young age.”

---“Just don’t let people fool you when they say you cant handle them.”

Copied from:
Blazing Diamond Alligator Lizards ::

[tikichick]

wow, awesome! thanks for all the info! i'll check out the link

sound like they're a lot like iguanas, lol.

[Groundhog]

Greetings Mom:

Alligator lizards are also my favorite lizards! cheer:

But where did you find them? And what species are they? I cannot find any alligator lizards anywhere-on line, in shops, or at shows! Where do you live, is it different in your part of the country?

I have kept:

Southern (Elgaria multicarinata)-this is the only species where some individuals will not tame down. Cali natives wil tell you that wil adults do not play-with cats, dogs or toddlers. I even raised one from a hatchling that stayed criminally insane; others I have had would obey simple commands--(hey not unlike dogs-or us);

Northern (E. courula): Not as pretty, but always sweet;

Arizona (Elgaria kingii): A bit smaller than the other guys, so I only handled him in the house. Adorable.

Texas (Gerrhonotus infernalis): Way cool. But awful slow and somewhat expensive-also, they are not quite as coordinated, so if let them climb, stay over a soft surface;

Central American (Mesaspis monticola or morelettii): A bit skittish; best to just hand feed. There are, of course, some exceptions:

I have never kept Abronia sp.

Some quick pointers:

-Philippe des Vosjoli is correct when he says the major cause of captive problems is keeping any of these animals to hot and/or too dry. While they are not amphibians, they are not collared lizards either; they do not actually live in deserts. Day temps should never hit 90, evening temps should be at least 10 degrees cooler. Once established, they can be offered a winter "cool down." These rules should apply to Central American species, as well.

--UV lighting is beneficial, and probably necessary.

-All of these animals like to climb (I am told the "Panamint" is more terrestrial). Sturdy branches and bushes help. If your tank is bright enough, try plants that can thrive in a temperate tank, like ivy, XFatshedera or a small aralia. Cryptanthus are sturdy. One can try any of the ferns that do not need high light or super-high humidity, like Korean rock fern (Polystichum tsu-simense) or Button fern (Pellaea rotundifolia). Partirdge berry (Mitchella repens) is nice if you can find it. Feel free to decorate with an airplant (Tillandsia sp) or two;

--Diet: I have to demur about mealworms. They can be part of a varied diet. But I mean a varied diet Some alligator lizards have this wonderful habit of deciding they just want to eat one thing--do not allow this to happen (and never let a big one eat only pinkies!) Gut-loading and some vitamin/mineral supplementation are essential;

--This may seem controversial, but I will not keep them with other animals. I have had many animals live very long lives: had a water dragon 14 1/2 yrs, my White's TF will be 10 this year, etc;, And I am not adverse to mixed setups (My White's lives with an Aussie WD and a ball python now). But I have had mixed success with these guys. My longest-term captives lived all by their bad selves. My hypothesis is: the long-term exposure to other animals (my hands washing multiple water bowls, etc; I suspect that they do not , in fact, have indestructible immune systems.

Also, they are serious predators. I do not trust them with animals they can easily kill. Remember the insane baby I just mentioned? I once thre a praying mantis in there-might have been 2/3 the lizards weight (big female mantis, young lizard). The mantis started it--the lizard finshed it.

Which is another way of saying--no anoles or baby bearded dragons...

Peace,

G

[ReptileZooMom]

Thanks for all of the information! I enjoyed reading it. They can be found in Washington mountains; the warmer part of the mountains...f.e. Sun Lakes, WA. And, there is a breeder in Washington as well I would be willing to sell you one, if you were willing to make your way to WA .