Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Howdy! I think I have a male alligator lizard that my dogs found, -no worries, they didn't hurt it- and there was a heavy layer of mud on his face when I got him, even over his eyes. I got most of the mud off, but I'm pretty sure he's blind. Not only that but these funny little red bugs are all over him: they look like moving drops of blood, really small, and when I squish themthey leave blood smears all over my desk. Does anyone have any idea how to take care of him, making sure he can eat and such, or have an idea about what's up with the little red bugs?

Welcome to the wonderful world of mites.
Get some reptile relief and prevent-a-mite and follow the directions.

LLLreptile has a good guide to getting rid of mites on their website.
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3.6 L. getula californiae - 16 eggs (Cal. King)
1.1 L. getula nigrita (MBK)
1.0 Pantherophis guttatus guttatus (Corn)
0.1 Pituophis catenifer catenifer (Pacific gopher)
3.3 Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata - 14 eggs (Cal. Alligator Lizard)

Oh, Hur-Raaaaay... Mites... Perrrrrrfeeeeect...
What's the url?

http://lllreptile.com/info/library/care-and-husbandry-articles/-/dealing-with-snake-mites/

The page says snake mites - and the little red ones are lizard mites, but the procedure is the same.
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3.6 L. getula californiae - 16 eggs (Cal. King)
1.1 L. getula nigrita (MBK)
1.0 Pantherophis guttatus guttatus (Corn)
0.1 Pituophis catenifer catenifer (Pacific gopher)
3.3 Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata - 14 eggs (Cal. Alligator Lizard)

Only thing about that page that I disagree with - at the end it says:

> We recommend that every month you treat your enclosure as
> described regardless of whether mites are present or not.

I see no reason to use a poisonous chemical with a reptile unless there really is a need to. Once mites have been dealt with, I would not re-apply unless you see them again.
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3.6 L. getula californiae - 16 eggs (Cal. King)
1.1 L. getula nigrita (MBK)
1.0 Pantherophis guttatus guttatus (Corn)
0.1 Pituophis catenifer catenifer (Pacific gopher)
3.3 Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata - 14 eggs (Cal. Alligator Lizard)

OK, thanks alot. Actually, b4 I got a reply I had washed/squashed all the mites off him so it wasn't a real problem by the time I got the URL, but I was worried there were more. Thanks alot for the input, I feel better about trying to care for him now.

Do you know of a way that an alligator lizard could be fed when it doesn't have any sight? I think he found out how to eat on his own w/out eyes but I also think he might have happened to have a slow cricket on his nose. I don't know a way to humanely and efficiently feed him and I don't want to hurt him. My only method is to wait till he's tasting air and put a piece of chicken on his toungue, but he doesn't try tasting air often and I don't eat much meat at home.

I've never dealt with a blind alligator lizard before.
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3.6 L. getula californiae - 16 eggs (Cal. King)
1.1 L. getula nigrita (MBK)
1.0 Pantherophis guttatus guttatus (Corn)
0.1 Pituophis catenifer catenifer (Pacific gopher)
3.3 Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata - 14 eggs (Cal. Alligator Lizard)

Well, basically he won't bite anything at all. It's easier to handle him, but I can't get him to eat when I'm holding him. He doesn't get freaked out around alot of people and animals, escept when he's getting nosed by wet noses or held by cold hands. He' basically just really mild, and he doesn'tget into much trouble because he doesn't really movce around if he's not in the sun.