Pets - Reptiles

[VX KAT]

Damn, Kat, you must be as fast as a cat to catch those!!

Those look like Southwestern Fence Lizards to me (Sceloporus cowlesi). Should be easy to care for, give water, and crickets dusted with calcium supplements for reptiles. They should take meal works, earth worms and just about any insect they can fit in their mouths as well.

Bart

Here some links to help you ID them:
http://www.reptilesofaz.org/Lizards-...s-cowlesi.html

http://www.reptilesofaz.org/Lizards-...-virgatus.html

http://www.reptilesofaz.org/Lizards-...graciosus.html

Bart

DOH! reptilesof az.org.....why didn't I think of that?


I can't take credit for catching them.....What can I say, hubby has fast hands

The calcium powder says 2x/week so that's my plan. Both seem to take the dusted crickets just fine.

The big one ate 4 crickets yesterday....2 really large ones....his digestion is really hummin' along now with the heat lamp! .....and the corresponding output!


When I added the 2nd one, at first they did the puffing up, push-ups and posturing stuff for about 2 weeks....now they don't do it that much. And there's been no fighting, so I guess they'll get along.

Thanks Bart!

[nfpgasmask]

I love when they do push ups.

Bart

[JHarris1385]

They stilt (push-ups) due to convection and conduction heating and cooling (when not dealing with territorial issues.) If they do it a lot, check the surface temp of the rock.

Check into Phoenix Worms...from what I remember they do no require dusting, at least I didn't.

[VX KAT]

A closer look at your pics tells me you might have two different species there. Interesting.

Here some links to help you ID them:
http://www.reptilesofaz.org/Lizards-...s-cowlesi.html

http://www.reptilesofaz.org/Lizards-...-virgatus.html

http://www.reptilesofaz.org/Lizards-...graciosus.html

Bart

I think they're different too. That link had great pics.


LARGER ONE- STILL STUMPED ON THIS ONE, NOT SURE WHAT TYPE:
THINK IT'S A FEMALE BECAUSE NO BLUE/TEAL COLORING ANYWHERE....

PLATEAU FENCE LIZARD Sceloporus tristichus







OR MAYBE:
COMMON SAGEBRUSH LIZARD Sceloporus graciosus
DESCRIPTION: A small (up to 76 mm or 3" from snout to vent), gray-brown to orange-brown lizard with pointed, keeled scales and four rows of dark, irregular shaped blotches on the back. The blotches in each row often merge together forming a dark, wavy stripe. A broad, gray mid-dorsal stripe extends from the neck onto the base of the tail. A rust or orange patch is often present in each “armpit” area and a dark bar marks each shoulder. The throat is either plain or marked with a uniform blue-gray mottling, often accompanied by pink flecking. Males have two large, blue patches on the belly. Belly patches are often edged with black. On females the belly patches are faint or lacking. During breeding season females may develop a yellow tint on the belly and orange-red suffusions on the neck and sides. Its uniform throat pattern distinguishes this lizard from the similar looking Plateau Lizard and Southwestern Fence Lizard. Its lack of side-blotches distinguishes it from the Common Side-blotched Lizard and Common Lesser Earless Lizard.







OR MAYBE:
TWIN SPOTTED SPINY LIZARD Sceloporus bimaculosus -"Before seizing prey it rapidly vibrates the tip of its tail"....this one does that












SMALLER ONE: MALE - ORNATE TREE LIZARD Urosaurus ornatus - I think this is definitely correct, and male because of the two blue patches.

[Triathlete]

I don't know what type they are but there are tons of them down here. They like to sun in the summer on my block wall.
The local lizards I like are the horned toads and the ones with the white and tan striped tail that curls up over their backs (and they are very fast). And the gila monsters are awesome also...I believe illigal to capture though.

[VX KAT]

.
.
I love what you've done with your scales, the purple looks great!
Thanks, I like your teal belly stripes too, they're cool.





Oh Ziggy, you know this can never be.....we're different species....
I'm an Ornate Tree Lizard http://www.reptilesofaz.org/Lizards-...u-ornatus.html
(or possibly a Long-Tailed Brush Lizard -http://www.reptilesofaz.org/Lizards-...graciosus.html)

and you're a Clark's Spiny Lizard http://www.reptilesofaz.org/Lizards-...s-clarkii.html
(or maybe a Desert Spiny Lizard) http://www.reptilesofaz.org/Lizards-...-magister.html




But I love you Marley...




I must go now....




Please stay...




One last kiss before you go.....










I'll always remember this moment...





Be careful Marley, it's a dangerous world out there!








Man, I've got the munchies now....





BURP....





It's sure lonely now on this rock.....sigh....but I can visit him over on his tree branch




Marley, are you up there?









Is that you Ziggy??? Come on up and visit!

[Ldub]

for the next scintillating episode of:

"As the terrarium turns"...

Caution: forbidden interspecies lizard love may be too graphic in nature for our younger viewers

[VX KAT]

for the next scintillating episode of:

"As the terrarium turns"...

Caution: forbidden interspecies lizard love may be too graphic in nature for our younger viewers

Didn't know I write for Lounge Lizards Quarterly, didya?

[Hybrid1098]

You really do love you're camera huh Sue?

[Exclamation]

I noticed one thing in your pictures that worries me, I hate to blow a horn and get up in anyones business. But just as a tip from a fellow lizard owner, the usual suggestion is to only feed your lizards crickets that are as long as the space between their eyes. Otherwise the cricket may be too large for them to properly swallow and digest. Just a kind suggestion you may want to find some smaller crickets to feed these little guys

[JHarris1385]

Agree.

Look at Phoenix worms too.

[VX KAT]

You really do love you're camera huh Sue?

You can't even imagine how many other pics I have of them....I LOVE digital!

I noticed one thing in your pictures that worries me, I hate to blow a horn and get up in anyones business. But just as a tip from a fellow lizard owner, the usual suggestion is to only feed your lizards crickets that are as long as the space between their eyes. Otherwise the cricket may be too large for them to properly swallow and digest. Just a kind suggestion you may want to find some smaller crickets to feed these little guys

Agree.

Look at Phoenix worms too.

Thank you exclamation! I really appreciate any tips as I'm a total noobe on this.... We've been buying the small crickets (usually about 1/4" - 1/2"), but seems there's always one or two larger ones in the bunch. I won't let them have those any more. Looks like I should stick with the 1/4" ones.

I've been reading up on them, but hadn't read that, good tip. I've got the calcium, UVB and temperature all worked out now. Using an infared 50W for heat. Temp is staying between 81-82 (at night) to 86-87 daytime. I've noticed they've been more active and also really been eating a lot more since the temp is warmer, and I read that aids their digestion.

I've also got to secure and then double secure the lamp stand, lights and the cords so the cats don't knock it off and set the house on fire.
Dave's going to put some screws into the top of the wood cabinet (or put wood braces around) to keep the terrarium from moving if the felines get too active.

I tried freeze dried and live meal worms...the big one would peck at them once or twice, but didn't eat them. The other one didn't touch them.
I'll look into the Phoenix worms. I've got to improve and perfect my "keeping crickets alive" procedure.....seems i'm loosing a lot. I've got lettuce and potato for food, and the water gel things. Any suggestions?

[Exclamation]

I used freeze dried crickets because the keeping live crickets didnt work for me either. At first they didnt like the freeze dried ones, but I bought this vibrating dish that makes it look like their jumping around and they gobbled them up and once the batteries died in the bowl they kept on eating the freeze dried ones without the movement and now they will eat every single dried cricket i put in their regular bowl

[VX KAT]

Trying to streamline my set up.

Currently using a Zoo Med ReptiSun 10.0 CFL for UVA/UVB in a DEEP DOME, and a separate mini dome for heat bulb. ReptiSun product says it's 30% UVA, 10% UVB.

I'd like to get a shorter bulb so it would fit in a COMBO MINI dome unit.
I would have my infared heat bulb 50W in the other dome.


1) CURRENTLY have Zoo Med ReptiSun 10.0 UVB CFL sitting on top of my mesh screen in a deep dome.:

ReptiSun™ 10.0 Perfect for all desert and basking reptiles! 10% UVB Output, 30% UVA Output, FULL SPECTRUMThe new ReptiSun™ Compact Fluorescent lamps use a special UVB transmitting quartz glass for maximum UVB penetration. Cool burning compact fluorescent bulbs screw into standard threaded sockets, eliminating the need for a separate ballast. Lamp can be oriented either vertically or horizontally in your reptile hood or clamp lamp fixture. UVB emissions help prevent or reverse metabolic bone disease andUVA increases feeding, mating, and other natural behaviors.


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2) I found this bulb: Exo-Terra 10.0 UVB SHORTER CFL ....but it doesn't have any UVA.
Repti Glo 10.0 Compact
Desert Terrarium Lamp

Ideal for all desert dwelling reptiles
Ultra High UVB output
Effective up to 50 cm (20")
Provides necessary UVB rays for optimal calcium metabolism
Recommended for use with screened terrariums; terrariums with dense screen covers (screens can filter out UVB rays)
Recommended in combination with Repti Glo 2.0 for a higher visual light output

The Exo Terra Repti Glo 10.0 has a very high UVB output similar to that associated with desert environments. Desert locations receive more direct sunlight than any other because of fewer clouds, less air humidity and no plants or trees to provide shade. Therefore desert reptiles are more exposed to UV radiation than any other type of reptile. This bulb can also be used on screened terrariums or terrariums with dense screen covers to ensure UVB penetration. Dense screens can filter out up to 50% of the UVB rays.



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3) Then found this Zilla DESERT 50 UVB COIL CFL - 20W. Definitely is shorter and will fit in the mini dome.

• Gives both UVA and UVB

• 50 microwatt/sec. output

Desert 50 UVB Fluorescent Bulb
Ideal for Desert Dwelling Reptiles: Bearded Dragons, Uromastyx, Frilled Dragons, Horned Lizards, Collared Lizards, Chuckwallas, Sulcata Tortoises, Leopard Tortoises, Russian Tortoises, Savannah Monitors and Nile Monitors

Delivers UVB light levels essential for desert reptile health
Full-spectrum illumination accents subtle pet colors
Styles to fit fluorescent, incandescent light fixtures

Bring a ray of desert sunshine to arid reptile habitats

When it comes to the bone health of a desert reptile, the extra daily dose of UVB light provided by a Desert 50 bulb (50 microwatts per second/cm2) is as essential as proper food and water for long term strength. The Desert 50 family of bulbs also provide needed UVA light, plus visible-spectrum illumination that makes skin coloration more vivid and viewable. Get all this in a family of high-efficiency bulbs designed to fit most major fluorescent fixture types (compact, T5 and T8). Incandescent lamp users also have the option of a Coil Bulb that screws into a standard light socket. Desert 50 bulbs are designed for 3500 hours or twelve full months of average use.



.
.

QUESTION:
10% UVB vs. 50 microwatt/sec. output
The units between the Zoo Med ReptiSun 10.0 and the Zilla Desert 50 seem to be different so I can't figure out how to compare them????

Anybody know how I can compare apples to apples here??
I have a 10 gallon terrarium.

Thanks!

[tom4bren]

I guess we're kinda in the boring department when it comes to pets. Right now we just have dogs, cats, & goldfish. In the past though I've had: a hedgehog, love birds, pythons, iguanas, a bat, a squirrel, a tarantula, a skink (my son was responsible for many of the odd pets).

Sad day yesterday. One of our Golden Retrievers passed away. Kelly was our 8 year old female & it appears that she died of heart worms (went from testing negative for the parasite to deceased in 18 months). She left a big hole in the family.