Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have an eastern fence lizard and a baby alligator lizard in the same cage, Is this OK? They're in a big cage but share resources.

Theoretically it could work, but we would need to know a little bit more about your set up: tank size, substrate, lighting, temps etc. Eventually, the al may get large enough to make a meal out of the fence lizard.

-Alice

Thanks I'll get back too you about temp and tank size but the substrate is lizard sand and there is a large rock unde a normal light. The light is right next to the glass. The place where my al stays most of the time is in a plastic catctus with sort of shelves in it send you a pic later.

sorry about the spelling

my tank is 20-25 gallons with about 2 in. of sand a climbing log and two hide aways.

I haven't had problems with al on regular sand, but I would not recommend any of the lizard sands marketed as calci-sand, vitasand or as being digestable. These sands are made out of calcium carbonate and the particles are too large to be readily absorbed / dissolved. This causes it to remain in the gut. If the lizard ingests more sand (this can happen accidentally when feeding) the particles may bind together. Over time this can result in a mass that is too large for the lizard to pass. All this calcium in the stomach also acts like an antacid and can interfere with the proper digestion of food. So, if you want to use sand, I'd recommend using the real thing. If you want to read more, check out this article: http://www.pythons.com/calcium.html

UV light is going to be essential for the fence lizard. I'd recommend one of zoomed's reptisuns rated 7 or higher. These lights will loose their effectiveness after 6 months and will need to be replaced. The fence lizard will also benefit from a basking site that reaches around 100 degrees F (you should be able to get this with a 75 - 100 watt bulb, elvate the basking area until it reaches the desired temperature). Both will require appropriately gut loaded, vitamin / calcium dusted insects (monitor feedings to make sure one isn't hogging all the food). Als also sometimes like it a little moister so you may want to put in some kind of hide with damp repti-bark or one of the compressed cocconut fiber substrates. Als will readily drink from a bowl, but fence lizards often require misting so make sure that both are available.

-Alice

thanks I'll try to get those things this weekend. I have one more question ,is it OK to handle my al if she's shedding?

here is my AL Sasha

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the lizards are calling, do you here them?

here is my fence lizard Frankie

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the lizards are calling, do you here them?

heres one half of my cage

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the lizards are calling, do you here them?

heres some more

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the lizards are calling, do you here them?

here's the other half

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the lizards are calling, do you here them?