Reptile & Amphibian Forums

There are tons of fence lizards where i live (Sceloporus occidentalis). I plan on capturing one...but before i do, i was wondering what kind of terrarium i should set up. There isnt much info on them that i could fin on the internet. I'll take as much info as you can give...anything. Also, are these lizards known for biting a lot? Because I have a southern alligator lizard..and they're known for biting, and i have a bearded dragon that isnt....so are these more tame..or not? Thanks in advance, I really appreciate it.
-----
~Julie~
1.0 Southern Alligator Lizard
2.0 Christmas Toad
2.3 Pacific Tree Frog
1.0 White Tree Frog
0.2 Bearded Dragon
1.0 Patterdale Terrier

Awwwh!! Don't do that! Leave them be in the wild, please. Once you catch them, they shouldn't ever be rereleased for fear of contamination of the natural environment. Also, capitivity tends to be overly-stressful on them and they don't always survive. Captive breds tend to fair better...so please don't take one from the wild.

But, to answer your question...in my experience, Fence Lizards tend to be very docile and will attempt to run away or play dead rather than be agressive. And, I totally agree with you that Alligator lizards are nasty little things!! LOL!

I agree they should be left in the wild. If you infact cant help yourself I would read up on then first. I once agan got the folowing doing a google search for Western Fence Lizards

Housing
The housing for such a lizard is relatively simple. you should have a container of at least the size of a 10 gallon aquarium(10"/20"/10". As a substrate you can use wood chips, sand dirt, Astro-turf, or just plain newspaper. Do not use CEDAR or fertilizer for they are harmful to your Herp. The lizards like dirt, sand ,gravel as substrate because they bury themselves when they go to sleep at night. A hiding place and rocks are a must, and they like to climb. For a more pleasing look you can add fake plants but the lizards and I prefer real ones. If you try to simulate the outdoors in your vivarium the lizard will like it more in his/her home. A full spectrum UV light is a must because they get no sun in the house. Even in the window and through the glass of the vivarium the UV light is blocked denying the lizards of the important Nutrient Vitamin D. Depending on how high your decor in the tank is you may want a tight fitting cover with plenty of vents for air such as a screen. If you do choose to make there cage more arboreal and with a screen lid you may find your lizard hanging from the screen with it's claws giving good view of the blue on the belly. A simple water dish that is changed everyday can provide the right amount f humidity and a rock in the middle keeps the liz. food from drowning.

Feeding
Most Blue bellies will eat crickets, Earwigs, Rolly Polly, and mealworms but you should "dust" the food with a vitamin and nutrient suppliment such as Reptocal before you put it in with the lizards. You can do this by puting the food in a plastic bag with the suppliment and lightly shaking the bag until food is coated. Other ways of getting the vitamins in there diet are to mix the supliment in the cricket food or the water.

Heating
To keep your lizard warm you should put a heating pad under the vivarium on ONE side so that the lizard can go to the warm or cool side of the vivarium as he chooses. The heat pad should be on 24 HRS a day for warmth. Next a heat lamp should be used. If you want you can use a red light that won't upset the sleeping patters of the lizard or a normal 60 watt bulb plaved in front of tank in spotlight, but a light that emits other than red or black light MUST BE TURNED OFF AT NIGHT. The lizard must also have a Full Spectrum UV light to simulate the sun because a window seat is inadequate, Your plants and lizards will thank you for it.
There is plenty of info out there. Go to www.google.com and search for that or search for sceloporus Occidentalis and please do your homwork befor catching one. Also it is important you not let it free once in captive. It can be done but only under carfull breeding or reintroduction programs
RR