Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm writing this with much sadness, since when I came home from work today, 1 of my 2 Desert Spiny Lizards (S. Magister) was missing from my vivarium. The missing lizard, Sleek, a juvenile of 3-4 months, had no easy way out of the large 30 gallon enclosure(other than a harrowing scale up a long cord from his heat rock through a tiny space at the top).

His house-mate is an older Desert Spiny named Slick, who's about a year and 2 months. The size difference is about 3-4 times.

I had slowly introduced the two over a few weeks, and they got along quite well. In fact, my wife and I lovingly watched them this morning as they were sleeping near each other, with Sleek's little head resting on Slick's back.

Anyway, the question: does anyone know if this species will eat others of its species? I have not read it, nor have I observed it in my years of teaching science and keeping lizards (though I know some other species supposedly do).

I hope that Sleek is simply free in my house, adventuring. Can anyone rule-out the cannibal theory?

Thanks,

Jay Mills

I would definitely not rule out the canable theory. I don’t know how different they are than my fence lizards but I do know fence lizards are cannibalistic. I would imagine if given the chance they would eat about anything that would fit in there mouth. Don’t give up yet though. Keep and eye on spot around the house were you think they might like to hide. I have had many a lizard climb up heat rock chords and escape in my years. This is yet another resone IO do not use heat rocks anymore. Good luck I hope you find your little Sleek
My reptile collection and research

Hey there,

I hate to burst your bubble, but I have had an adult spiny eat a younger individual. I hadn't heard they were cannibalistic, but I watched him regurg. his smaller tank mate. On a more hopeful note, I have since kept and accidentally bred 6 magisters, none of which showed any interest in eating their progeny. So, perhaps its an individual thing. I hope you find your little buddy man. magisters are pretty awesome. Hope to talk soon,

-Phil

Hungry big lizards eat smaller lizards...They probably got along fine until they larger missed a meal. I have had tegus lay next to mice one day and then rip their stomachs out the next. We all have to learn our lessons.
good luck and take care.

Stephen