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Southern Alligator Lizards

AB^

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5 Year Member
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690
This is a general information/caresheet I wrote for another site that I am no longer associated with so I thought I would share this with TeguTalk.




Southern Alligator Lizard
Elgaria Multicarinata formeley Gerrhonotus Multicarinatus


elgaria.jpg



This species is quite common where they occur but remain largely unseen do to their secretive habits. They range from southern Washington all the way down to Central Baja,Mexico with several subspecies in between. They can reach a maximum size of about 18-20 inches and a maximum svl (snout to vent length) of 7.25 inches. They occupy a variety of habitats from forest floor to grassy feilds, and are most commonly found near a source of water. This species is oviporous (egg laying) and usually lays anywhere from 5 to over 20 eggs at a time during May and June with the eggs hatching August and September. The natural diet reportedly consists of mainly insects but scorpions,small rodents and smaller lizards are eaten as well. There have been several reports that this species will use its semi prehensile tail to help it climb up and nab birds eggs and fleddlings from nests. Other reports have said this species has been noted diving into ponds to catch tadpoles. A couple interesting facts about these lizards is that they shed in a single piece much as snakes do and their blood protein kills lyme disease in ticks. Areas where these lizards are found can have up t0 50% less lyme disease infected ticks than areas where they do not occur.

Captive Requirements

Caging: For a single adult or a pair I wouldnt go any smaller than a 20 gallon
High enclosure. Though this is a minimum bigger is always better.
A variety of hiding places is neccesary due to their secretive nature
and varying temperatures and humidity levels in the hides is a good
idea. Branches,logs and rocks will be appreciated for climbing and to
help with shedding.

Temperature : This species is best kept with a thermal gradient from the
& Humidity : low to mid 70's on the cools side to the low 80's on the warm
side. A well lit basking spot of 85-90 degrees will be used on
occasion. Humid hide spots will help facilitate shedding and
a morning misting helps as well.

Water & Feeding: Water can be simply supplied from a medium sized dish,
they may also drink some droplets from the morning
mistings. Feeding is quite simple as they will attack
just about anything they can over power including
but not limited to crickets,roaches,mealworms, mealworm
beetles, silkworms, hornworms and an occasional pinkie.

Special lighting: UVA and UVB lighting are highly reccommended as is
& Supplements: Calcium and Vitamin supplements (though gutloading is
still important)

Sexing: Visual sexing may be difficult and confusing. Genererally
Males will be larger and have broader more triangular heads
than females

Notes: The Southern Alligator lizard shares some of its range with
the closely related Northern Alligator Lizard (Elgaria Coerulea)
and differentiating between the two may be difficult if the
animal is not in hand but if the lizard is available for
examination it is relatively easy. Southerns will have yellow
eyes while northerns have browns (though it's not always
that simple as some have shades in between) and the single
most reliable way to tell is to look at the belly, southerns will
have faint lines going down through the center of the belly
scale rows where northerns will have the lines on the side of
the belly scale rows
 

COWHER

New Member
5 Year Member
Messages
873
AB^ said:
Southern Alligator Lizard
Elgaria Multicarinata formeley Gerrhonotus Multicarinatus
their blood protein kills lyme disease in ticks. Areas where these lizards are found can have up t0 50% less lyme disease infected ticks than areas where they do not occur.

wow i wonder if scientists are working on a way to use that effect in humans lyme disease is fairly common around me
 

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