Not a squirrel a lizard...but still need info

[Sara89nicole]

So we have what we believe after some research to be a male eastern fence lizard, I just need some basic tips such as housing, diet etc. we caught him wild after he emerged from inside a generator while it was being transported...Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[CritterMom]

Found this: http://kennythelizardking.tripod.com/id8.html just noodling around google - you should do some more in-depth searches though. You may want to repost and ask for help specifically about a lizard - I bet we have reptile people here too but I don't know who it might be - seeing "lizard" in the title would draw THEIR eyes to the post.

[sdreamcatcher]

Is there a way you can safely release him in a safe area near where he was captured? Wild lizards are pretty skittish even seemingly calm ones can be easily stressed. As with squirrels diet is important. you also need special lighting and a suitable cage setup. Lizards can live a long life in captivity so be prepared for commitment for many years.

Oh and pictures? :poke

[Nancy in New York]

I bet we have reptile people here too but I don't know who it might be - seeing "lizard" in the title would draw THEIR eyes to the post.
:thumbsup

[sdreamcatcher]

I googled for pics I was thinking they'd look more like a skink with a very long tail. They resemble a miniature bearded dragon. Very pretty little critters. Does yours have the blue on his belly and sides? Wild lifespan can go 4 years. 5 captive but I could not find any direct info on keeping them in captivity.

They eat insects and seem to be a mix of ground and arboreal. I'd get or make a cage where they have access to the ground and some branches also a rock for basking. Try to mimic what area he came from, and go from there. If you keep him invest in a very nice lighting setup sold for iguanas and other lizards. Also reptical to sprinkle on his food. Any specific questions let me know; I kept green anoles and numerous amphibians off and on for years. I don't have any lizards now (someday when I am better set up), but I do have a couple of box turtle girls (rescues).

[pappy1264]

found this: http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Home/species_a_to_z/SpeciesGuideIndex/easternfencelizard/tabid/6700/Default.aspx


and this: http://www.herpsofnc.org/herps_of_NC/lizards/Sceund/Sce_und.html

[treeratmom]

I've never kept this species specifically, but have kept a few with similar care requirements. You can keep one in a 10gal. tank, but a 20 long would be ideal. You'll need a light that produces heat, and a UVB light. You will want a 10.0 UVB bulb. For a 10 gallon, I'd start with a 60-75 watt light. Buy a thermometer designed for reptile cages to see if you are in the right temperature range, and adjust light wattage if needed. Ambient temperature should be around 80 degrees. Basking spot should be around 95 degrees. Mist once a day in the AM. Have a few fake plants, a water dish, and some branches or other things that will allow him to get closer to the light. For substrate, I use a product called Eco-Earth mixed with reptile sand. Gut loaded crickets would be his main diet in captivity.

Hopefully you can get him to eat. Sometimes its quite difficult to get wild lizards to eat in captivity. Some make the switch fine, but for some they get so stressed that they won't eat. Try to keep his enclosure in a quiet area of your home. Obviously releasing him is your best option, but I'm not sure if that's possible. Good luck, and thanks for taking him in!

[Sara89nicole]

Thank you everyone, we have started calling him rango since we were watching the movie while pondering names. He does have the beautiful dark blue coloring on his belly and throat, I don't currently have a way to upload pics of him. I did some research and bought crickets yesterday for him and he ate two like they were going out of style. He's in a ten gallon aquarium currently with some sand, limbs to climb on and rocks. I will probably transfer him to my thirty gallon after i set it up. Where his tank sits he gets direct sunlight in about 3/4 of the tank and the rest is shady. I dusted his crickets yesterday with repcal calcium powder and misted his cage. I'm using a lid from a container for water.

My main concern with release is that winter is right around the corner here and night time temps are hovering around 50-60ish, daytime remains in mid 70s. I just don't know if he will be able to find a decent home before winter really sets in. Apparently they are native here so he would be ok wild and I don't mind releasing one bit I'm just wondering if spring would be better.