Hello Everyone,



I am new to this forum and need some help please!



Several months ago, I purchased a few long-tailed grass lizards at a pet store. Before I knew it, the female started laying eggs! I had no idea what to do with them and lost the first 2 clutches (5 eggs total), but with some help from a local breeder I purchased an incubator and have been incubating the eggs that keep appearing every 2 weeks or so.



My first (somewhat) successful clutch hatched 6/29. All 3 eggs pipped, but only one lizard emerged.



My problem is this: I can't get the li'l guy to eat! Here are the details:



I'm keeping him in a shoebox-sized clear plastic Sterilite container. I have cut a 6" diameter hole in the lid, over which I attached window screen. I have a desk lamp shining through the hole and have mounted a thermometer probe directly under it. The hotspot is around 90 degrees F. For humidity, I have placed a hand-sized sponge soaked with water which I rewet a few times a day. I also lightly mist the enclosure a few times a day, and I have seen him drink the droplets. There is a small bowl of water (which the lizard sometimes sits in) and half a cardboard toilet paper tube for him to climb on or hide under. I turn the light off at night, and the ambient temp in the room is in the mid-70s.



For food, I have offered him crickets of various sizes from very tiny pinheads to about 3/16". I have also offered micro mealworms about 1/4" long or perhaps a bit bigger. On his second day, I believe he did eat 2 worms. I didn't see it happen, but I put 3 in and only 1 was left. I don't see anywhere else they could have gone!



He has defecated (dark brown with white urates) a few times. He seems less active than I'd expect, often laying there with his eyes closed. If I spook him he is very alert and runs around but settles quickly. I can't really see any evidence of interest in food.



Please let me know if you have any advice, and thank you in advance!



Jer

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