Other pets (pics and discussions)

[kimbosaur]

Congrats! Are those blue tongue skinks?

[ProXimuS]

Chris are those Blue Tongue Skinks? Very cute either way

[Spankenstyne]

Yes. Sorry I thought I put it in there haha.. Those are pure Northern Blue Tongue skinks.

[ProXimuS]

Awesome. I had one quite a while back. Not sure what kind she was, but they are really cool

[ConcinusMan]

Northwestern Alligator Lizard (Elgaria coerulea principis) Near Olympia, WA. Feisty little violent devils when first captured, but they settle down quickly and make charming companions which tolerate handling very well and are hardy and easy to care for. They do fine on small crickets, spiders, and little or no supplemental heat. They look at you. They check you up and down, often look you right in the eye, and seem to respond well to human speech. They "like" to be talked to and will sit for hours on your arm or lap.

[-MARWOLAETH-]

They seem like charming little guys,it's a real shame they aren't more available for sail in my countryThey remind me of plated lizards or Berber skink [Eumeces schneideri] in behavior and looks.

[ProXimuS]

He's pretty cool, Richard. Reminds me a little of a Blue Tongue Skink, just more narrowy.

[guidofatherof5]

Little Lilo is doing well. Not spoiled at all.

[BUSHSNAKE]

Northwestern Alligator Lizard (Elgaria coerulea principis) Near Olympia, WA. Feisty little violent devils when first captured, but they settle down quickly and make charming companions which tolerate handling very well and are hardy and easy to care for. They do fine on small crickets, spiders, and little or no supplemental heat. They look at you. They check you up and down, often look you right in the eye, and seem to respond well to human speech. They "like" to be talked to and will sit for hours on your arm or lap.

Alligator lizards are the bomb! ive always have heard good things about them. very awesome Richard

[ConcinusMan]

Years ago I thought one had escaped after a couple of years in captivity. I placed the tank, substrate and all (in retrospect I probably should have dumped it) in the garage. About a year later I noticed shed lizard skin in the tank. Yeah, I found the lizard had survived a year in the garage with no food or water. Of course, he was emaciated but otherwise fine and eventually recovered and gained his weight back. Now that's a hardy lizard.

This northwestern subspecies is a live bearer (unlike most alligator lizards) and adapted well to the cool climate. They seem to function just fine at room temperature and can handle 9 mos or more in brumation. They also have a much slower metabolism than any other lizard I've kept. The only thing they can't seem to handle is hot, dry conditions. You do want to keep them cooler than southern alligator lizards (70's is fine) and provide good humidity and damp areas for them to dig in. Fast running spiders are their favorite food.