Texas Spiny Lizard - Help

[geckoavenger]

I got this guy from a friend who caught him in Dallas, Tx. I have him/her in a 10g tank right now, its the only open tank I have at the moment. Anyways, I have no clue about him/her so ANY help is welcome. Do any of you have this kind of lizard & how do you care for them?

Another thing, I need to know how to find out what gender it is, so I can get to name thinking... I read somewhere that males have blue spots on their sides & females had wavy lines on their legs. I see neither...


Drum roll.......

 

[Friedbread]

If he isn't injured, sick, or suffering in any way, why should it be kept in captivity? It's cool that your friend caught it and it can be fun to observe an animal from the wild in a closed environment for a day, but I don't think it would be right to keep him. I don't know a lot about this species, but if it is native to your area, I would suggest letting it go where it was found.

 

[geckoavenger]

Well, not to sound rude or anything, but I would like to get some comments on how to care for them, not opinions. Thanks anyways though.

 

[Palor]

I recomend letting it go. They do not make good captives. They require very high end UVB Bulbs and often never settle well. Most die after a few weeks or months. Even if it settles well, their care requirements are pretty difficult.

If your going to be adamant about keeping it, I would get your self a 40g "Breeder" style tank. A mercury vapor UVB and a nice hot spot light. Basking spot about 100°. Set it up as close as you can to its natural habitat. Feed it crickets, roaches, silkworms, and phoenixworms. Variety is key to keeping it eating.

I still say let it go.

 

[GeckoGal]

I recomend letting it go. They do not make good captives. They require very high end UVB Bulbs and often never settle well. Most die after a few weeks or months. Even if it settles well, their care requirements are pretty difficult.

+1

 

[geckoavenger]

Thank you Dan.

 

[Palor]

Your Welcome

 

[Seahorse]

I've got a bunch. They live in my backyard and they bask on the trees and take care of themselves.

I agree with letting it go. It could die from the stress of being free all this time and now becoming a captive.

 

[MiamiLeos]

ok so the whole letting it go thing you dont want to do, and that's ok. butttt, i would be VERY careful about transfering any parasites/bacteria from it to your other herps... please... use caution... antibacterial soap... and hand sanitizer...

 

[Friedbread]

ok so the whole letting it go thing you dont want to do, and that's ok. butttt, i would be VERY careful about transfering any parasites/bacteria from it to your other herps... please... use caution... antibacterial soap... and hand sanitizer...

That's a great point. If you do insist on keeping it, quarantine and hand washing before and after handling him or the stuff in his tank is imperative. Good luck with him!

 

[geckoavenger]

Oh YES!! I know, he is a tank all to him self & in a totally different room than my leos. I wash myhands after handling any of my animals so yeah, good point though.

I have read so far that they like basking at around 90ish & they like to hide a lot. I also know they eat crickets (or grasshoppers, lol). I put in a few meal worms in for him/her & it ate one & was "eww, nevermind," and hasn't touched them since. So Im going today to get it some crickets. He/she is on a mix of sand & coco fiber. I put on a 50watt basking light on him/her & ever since it has been staying right under it. Its at 85-90ish right now, I dont want to go above that unless I read something otherwise in a good care sheet.

I am still looking for a good care sheet for them, I only find crapy, & very vauge ones. I have looked at breaded dragon care sheets & Im basicly going off that.

 

[Palor]

There are no care sheets of any value on these reptiles. Only the hands on experience of the few who have tried to raise them.

I once was foolish enough to try and setup a captive breeding program for Western Fence Lizards, it was very depressing.

 

[geckoavenger]

Well, he ate almost all the crickets I put in there for him a few days ago, I think theres only one survivor, lol.

 

[Mel&Keith]

closed by OP request