New To The Reptile Side Of Pets, Need Lots Of Help!!

Hey guys! So I was out an about walking with my roommate and her cat on the beach where I saw a cool looking mushroom. As I was taking pictures of the mushroom, I noticed a creature close by. "Eewww!! Look at that slug!" I said, then my roommate said "no, it's a snake!" And I was like "omg a snake!!!" And then I was like wait... It's got legs! It's a reptile!! So I start taking close up pictures of it and it looks at me (kinda like a bird will look at you) and. Then. It. Jumped. On. To. My. Hand!

I was stoked! So I start looking up reptiles and I figure out it's a female northwestern alligator lizard. They naturally live anywhere in Washington (where I'm at), Oregon, and California. There are also captive breed alligator lizards. Cool, but then I read from multipule sources that the wild ones are really skittish and don't like to be touched. They'll try to run away, then they'll threaten you by opening their mouth up wide, and then they'll musk and bite, and possibly throw their tail and run.

I though that was weird since this one jumped on me! She also lost her tail, and has little white spots all over her body, which I don't think is normal. She really likes sitting on me and watching me. So I took her home and dug out an old tank, bough some eco-soil stuff and a uvb light (I want a lizard anyways, so if I end up returning this one to the wild, I'll be set!) And some other things. I also researched what they eat and got some crickets and king worms(?). I offered her one of each, she wasn't interested, however she did drink quite a bit of water.

Her tank is a bit under-decorated and probably a bit too small, but she seems to be enjoying everything for now. I think I'll buy a 20 gallon long for her if I decide to keep her.

My questions are:

1. What are the white spots? (See pics below)
2. Do you agree that this is a female northwestern alligator lizard?
3. Do you think she was/is a wild lizard or a captive breed lizard that was released?
4. Do you think anything (else) is wrong with her?
5. Do you think I should release her immediately? Or if there is something wrong, should I release her when she's all better? If she is captive bred, should I keep her?
6. Am I missing anything? And tips/tricks on keeping her healthy and happy while I have her?

Please be nice to me if I have something horribly wrong, I don't mean to. I'm just trying to make sure she's okay and if I do end up keeping her I will definitely do my very best to give her the best life possible.

Thanks guys!

 

This is from when I found her and she jumped on my hand

 

Hmmm...I don't know anything about lizards, but I'm sure you could research online and maybe find a care guide.
Also, you may want to find out if it is legal to keep wild lizards( if it is ) where you live.
If you are able to find a care guide, and it is legal to keep them, then I would keep her because she does look like she is injured a bit.

It sure it cute! I love the eyes!!

 

My questions are:

1. What are the white spots? (See pics below)
2. Do you agree that this is a female northwestern alligator lizard?
3. Do you think she was/is a wild lizard or a captive breed lizard that was released?
4. Do you think anything (else) is wrong with her?
5. Do you think I should release her immediately? Or if there is something wrong, should I release her when she's all better? If she is captive bred, should I keep her?
6. Am I missing anything? And tips/tricks on keeping her healthy and happy while I have her?
Thanks guys!

The first things that come to mind for the white spots are breeding season and mites, so I would pick up a mite-x from a pet store and go with that.
I would think it was a wild-caught that a kid caught and kept until they couldn't, then released it again. If it isn't stressed by your presence, I think you could build an argument that it isn't fit to return to the wild.
Congrats on your new gal! I'm more than a little jealous.

 

Thanks guys! I ended up buying a 20 gallon long for her anyways. She seems really happy and is eating anything that moves in her tank lol. Her tail is starting to grow back and she's shed her skin too. She burrows and climbs and makes full use of her basking rock even though online says they don't bask lol. Her white spots haven't changed one bit and I haven't seen any mites on her, so I think it's just her coloring. I hold her often (but not too often), and let her run around outside of her cage. I think I'll let her run around outside in the grass once it's nicer out too.

I still haven't decided if I'll let her go or not. If I do, I'm going to let her go once it stays nice out, that ways she doesn't get shocked and start burmating again. I think she's just a baby, and had a hard first burmation (or first burmation since being let go) along with whatever munched her tail.

Anyways, here is a pic of her and her new tank:

 

I shouldn't have opened this in front of my anoles. Now they're jealous.

 

I think the fact that it jumped into your hand shows that it isn't wild, I bet it's much happier now! If nothing else, you're giving it a good amount of time to heal from her injuries.

 

If it’s like most lizards it’s tail will grow back I’m guessing she probably escaped and in the process got her tail stuck on something or something bit it off

 

looks like a skink to me.look them up. the fact it was human friendly tells it was most likly captive bread and you saved its life. best of luck, also the tank looks greaat and skinkie looks happy to be with you

edit: if I'm correct hat it is indeed a skink, that's lucky find because they cost some money for sure, especially blue tongue skinks. I am almost possitive this reptile is a skink of some kind. I am a reptile owner so I can possibly assist you in the care and stuff if you want. ( I will be of no use if this isn't what I origionally thought)

edit #2: they are the dog aquivalent of the reptile kingdom. this skink in particularly is the best. do some research and I think you will soon agree with is kind and awesomness. they do get large though ranging between 1 and 2 fee.

edit #3: I just did some looking and I retract my previous statment, that this does infact look more like what you said, then what I said, reguardles I think you saved tis little baby from doom as it was probably and escaped is owner and got out somehow, but thankfully you found her.

 

looks like a skink to me.look them up. the fact it was human friendly tells it was most likly captive bread and you saved its life. best of luck, also the tank looks greaat and skinkie looks happy to be with you

edit: if I'm correct hat it is indeed a skink, that's lucky find because they cost some money for sure, especially blue tongue skinks. I am almost possitive this reptile is a skink of some kind. I am a reptile owner so I can possibly assist you in the care and stuff if you want. ( I will be of no use if this isn't what I origionally thought)

edit #2: they are the dog aquivalent of the reptile kingdom. this skink in particularly is the best. do some research and I think you will soon agree with is kind and awesomness. they do get large though ranging between 1 and 2 fee.

edit #3: I just did some looking and I retract my previous statment, that this does infact look more like what you said, then what I said, reguardles I think you saved tis little baby from doom as it was probably and escaped is owner and got out somehow, but thankfully you found her.

Skinks and alligator lizards are very closely related, so the confusion is very common.

 

Well, I want to make sure I'm catering to the right species. Even if they are closely related, there might be a large difference in care. I'll post a few more pics of here. Can you all help me determine if she's a skink or an alligator lizard?

 

Yeyou can see her tail growing back in 4th pic!!!

 

She looks more like an alligator lizard but judging from pics on the web but she could also be a Skink. But she’s probably a gator cause her taI is growing back brown

P.S her tail will grow as long as she is

 

Well, I want to make sure I'm catering to the right species. Even if they are closely related, there might be a large difference in care. I'll post a few more pics of here. Can you all help me determine if she's a skink or an alligator lizard?

Her body shape makes me think alligator lizard. If her tail grows back and is more stumpy, then yep, you have an alligator lizard. If not, then you have a maybe on your hands. The coloring is definitely more like an alligator, but there might be a skink morph I haven't seen yet.

 

Well, I want to make sure I'm catering to the right species. Even if they are closely related, there might be a large difference in care. I'll post a few more pics of here. Can you all help me determine if she's a skink or an alligator lizard?

well I believe that I waas wrong, and you are correct tat it is an aligator lizard. the differance I nticed was skinks have more of a striped patern where as aligator lizards are more spotted.

 

Okay, well here are more pics of her anyways, as promised lol..

 

Yep! That's an alligator lizard, and a cute one at that!

 

Yep! That's an alligator lizard, and a cute one at that!

Okay, thanks!

Do you guys know what/how much I should feed her? Online, it says they eat bugs and animals that are smaller than them (mostly frogs and other lizards/newts/skinks/salamandars). They are also diurnal (opposite of nocturnal).

I've mostly been feeding her crickets and some meal worms and I offer her food until she stops eating or until she reaches 6 crickets, give or take a few if I offer her worms (I imagine how many crickets/worms would fit on her back if they were to line up and sit on her, and that's how much I feed). And I do this every couple days. Is this a good way to feed her?

 

I would just put six in the tank, regardless of if she eats them. It's enrichment, and will keep her from getting bored.

 

Hi! Yes, this is an alligator lizard, good find

These species of lizard need enough space, as they get up to seven inches long. You need a lot of floor space for these guys, they don't need height.
They need to have a deep layer of substrate, they do burrow a bit, and will need this opportunity. You also need a basking area for them, which needs a heat lamp that reaches a temperature anywhere from 80 - 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Temperatures should drop during the night.

The diet includes beetles, worms, and crickets. Never collect bugs from your yard.

 

Hi! Yes, this is an alligator lizard, good find

These species of lizard need enough space, as they get up to seven inches long. You need a lot of floor space for these guys, they don't need height.
They need to have a deep layer of substrate, they do burrow a bit, and will need this opportunity. You also need a basking area for them, which needs a heat lamp that reaches a temperature anywhere from 80 - 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Temperatures should drop during the night.

The diet includes beetles, worms, and crickets. Never collect bugs from your yard.

Hey thanks! I've done a lot of research online and looked at their natural habits and what not, trying to provide the best home for her. There isn't a lot of care sheets for them tho, so its all my "best guess".

Do you think a 20 gallon long will be sufficient space for her? Maybe upgrade to a 40 gallon at some point?

She's got a good 3 inches of substrate, and a few different sticks to climb up, one of Wich she can get closer to the heat lamp if she wants. I added a big rock for her to soak up heat on, and she's got live plants to play in (or kill lol) her fav is the moss and the grass.

I have a uvb bulb on for a few hours each day, and then a (70 watt I think) heat lamp on for the rest of the day, and all lights out at night. She also gets natural (mostly indirect) sunlight between 11am and 2pm. Everything I read online said uvb isint necessary, but I still want to provide some for her. I'm working towards getting one of those done lamps that holds the heat light and uvb bulb so I can have both on at the same time.

I'm also working towards getting a larger water dish before it gets too hot so she can go "swimming". She likes to sit in the one she has, but it's so small for her. I also mist the cage everyday, and make sure she always has a moist mossy hollow to shed or cool off in.

If I'm missing anything, or have something wrong, please let me know! Thanks!!

 

Hey thanks! I've done a lot of research online and looked at their natural habits and what not, trying to provide the best home for her. There isn't a lot of care sheets for them tho, so its all my "best guess".

Do you think a 20 gallon long will be sufficient space for her? Maybe upgrade to a 40 gallon at some point?

She's got a good 3 inches of substrate, and a few different sticks to climb up, one of Wich she can get closer to the heat lamp if she wants. I added a big rock for her to soak up heat on, and she's got live plants to play in (or kill lol) her fav is the moss and the grass.

I have a uvb bulb on for a few hours each day, and then a (70 watt I think) heat lamp on for the rest of the day, and all lights out at night. She also gets natural (mostly indirect) sunlight between 11am and 2pm. Everything I read online said uvb isint necessary, but I still want to provide some for her. I'm working towards getting one of those done lamps that holds the heat light and uvb bulb so I can have both on at the same time.

I'm also working towards getting a larger water dish before it gets too hot so she can go "swimming". She likes to sit in the one she has, but it's so small for her. I also mist the cage everyday, and make sure she always has a moist mossy hollow to shed or cool off in.

If I'm missing anything, or have something wrong, please let me know! Thanks!!

I would say that the 20 long is great! You can upgrade if you feel the need
The substrate looks fine to me. I would personally recommend a few hides for her, they enjoy those.

 

I updated her cage a bit. I feel like she was getting bored of her set up, so I changed a few things (plus some plants needed to be removed, she killed them lol).

Also, how do you guys buy, keep, and feed crickets? I'm really paranoid that some are going to get loose.. idk why, my cats will just chase it and probably eat it anyways haha

Also, I must be doing something right cause her tail is growing in quite nicely (and quickly!). However, the way she breaths dose concern me as she does big huffs rather than a steady breath in and out. Is this normal do you think?

Thanks guys! I appreciate your help and support!!
Here are some lovely pictures!

 

She's looking great! I love the new set up! For the crickets, I just put some in a kritter keeper and put some kind of vegetable in, carrots or cucumbers or something, and generally I sprinkle it with some calcium powder so the crickets eat it. I don't usually keep them for more than a few days, and there are always some casualties, but it seems to work. Oh, also I always have some sort of hiding places, normally just some cardboard stacks or something.

 

I use a cricket keeper. The only issue I've ever had with it was when I had it about half-on the table, and my cat knocked it off. She's still having fun with that one! I use the Fluker's High calcium diet and Cricket quencher.

 

If u can get newborn mice only a day old she would also eat one of them from time to time but must only be a day old or it might be too big. And that's a very good supply of calcium for her too. A good treat and she will love it. She's pretty and looks very good.

 

Any update on this cutie? I love her new setup!!!