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RE: About the plated lizard, "Gerrhosaurus validus"

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Posted by: 7serpents at Wed Oct 27 22:41:38 2004  [ Report Abuse ] [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by 7serpents ]  
   

You have: latin name "Gerrhosaurus validus", common name is Giant African Plated Lizard. Total body lenght averages 28". A river area burrower that can swim, not a daily activity. Will eat Superworms, Waxworms, Crickets, occasional pinkie mouse, Iams canned catfood mixed with some: shredded carrots, peas, brocolli,cabbage, collard greens, chard, rommaine (no iceburg lettuce as it has no nutritional value to reptiles), apples, grapes, banana, kiwi, cantalope, melon, strawberries and other berries, boiled/scrambled egg, RepCal Bearded Dragon food ( the multicolored pellets) moisted with water or apple/other natural fruit juice. These foods are a variety you must try to see which he prefers and can be served as salads or mixed with Iams once a week offering. Insects are offered a few at a time to see how many he will eat at a meal and how often. I only used the RepCal Bearded Dragon food for supplements with plateds that eat it and used Mineral I sprinkling on insects. Don't over use Calcuim or they won't eat, a light dusting goes a long way.
Sexing can be done by looking at the femoral pores underneath back thighs, large pores are male and small pores are female. This can be confirmed by their spring time (breeding season) when male femoral pores excrete waxy spirals which are used to rub scent on surrounding to attract females.
Housing you will need a larger tank, stock tank, or build your own cage. I used 5 x 3 x 2,or 5 x 2 x 2 melamine with 36" or 48" UVB flourescent light, 5.0/8.0 is good. Aspen shredded bedding a least 3" deep, upside down catlitter pan with Sphangus Moss in it (daily light misting); you can also use Reptile Jungle soil mixture under catlitter pan with Sphangus Moss. This allow for a constant humidity box/area. A water bowl or a small catlitter pan for drinking and soaking. Artifical vines may help with hide areas for his benefit.
This should be a good start for you. Use latin name "Gerrhosaurus validus" when using search engines online to look up more information. German websites have alot more detailed information as they have experience since the 1980s'. If you can take a picture of femoral pores and post I can try to sex for you. African plated lizards usually are more available in winter as it is their spring/summer. Importers such as Glades Herp, Extreme Reptiles, and LLL Reptile usually get them in starting this time of year. Panacur and Flagyl to deworm them is easy to use or try Parabotics listed on Kingsnakes' Cages/supplies classifieds.


   

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