Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a bahaman anole (unsexed) and a male long-tailed lizard (bulge at base of tail) who cohabitate in a 3ft cubed fully accommodating habitat (UVA & UVB lights, humidifier, etc.) They have been living well for some time now. However, recently I decided to purchase a female long-tail (no bulge at base of tail). Things were fine for about a week or so. Then while out of town for three days (I hired a neighbor to maintain the habitat - humidity mainly), I came home to find the female dead. I supposed it may have been that the 'sitter' didn't remember to stop by or something, so I bought another female. A very active, healthy one. Well, two days later, she is also dead. I could not find any marks indicating she was attacked. I can not imagine the anole would hurt her, or why hasn't he/she hurt the male? Is the male killing the females? I was hoping to have baby long-tails, but don't want to risk losing another female. Any suggestions or comments? Thank you.

IMO the females were killed by the male. You can try a long drawn-out introduction, by placing them in two wire cages next to each other once or twice per day. On top of that, set up the female in her own habitat similar to your male's, and let several months go by. Then under supervision, introduce the male into the female's habitat. He won't be as likely to defend someone else's territory. I would supervise a few dozen one hour get-togethers before I would feel only a little queasy about unsupervised visiting.

As I remember from reading posts, breeding lizards who don't cohabitate is done by putting the male into the female's habitat.

Roger

Thank you for your response.
You are correct about the male killing them. I decided to get two more females and watch closely. That very day I caught the male attack the tail of one, then shortly thereafter try for her midsection. I was fortunately able to move the branch they were on in time to save her. I then captured the male.
I spoke with the pet store I purchased the females from and they offered to trade my male for another one who would not be territorial, coming into the females' domain. He was also confident that my [first] male would not be aggressive putting him with the store's lizards since it was unfamiliar territory to him. He agreed to watch closely however and separate the one I brought in and adopt him out separately if there were any aggression problems with him.
Now I have two females and one male that were formerly all housed together at the pet store. They appear to be quite content. I have even since removed two eggs and presently have them in an incubator.
They are terrific little creatures and I enjoy them much.
Thank you again for your reply.

IMO make a new habitat to put the male into when the females arrive. That way, at least the male won't be defending his well-established territorial prerogatives.

It might work to take him out of his present habitat for a week and completely change the interior decorations so that none of it has his scent on it. Then after a week, re-introduce him to the treated habitat with the females waiting. That has a good chance to stop his territorial aggression.

Roger

Thank you.

certain things in common. I have 13 years experience with other lizards. I'm glad I do, or I would have lost my female Jewelled Lacerta. Anyway, I just want to explain that even though I'm new to Lacertids, IMHO I still can give advice on certain topics. I wonder how the group thinks on this??

Roger