Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We've recently moved the lizards into a "Florida room" that has big, jalousie windows overlooking our back yard. Clyde, our G. validus, is doing quite well.

The jalousie windows house dozens of small cuban brown anoles. One of these, a big female (perhaps 7cm SVL) is poaching crickets! She jumps from the windows into Clyde's enclosure, snatches a cricket, and jumps away. Clyde has noticed her, and at one point lunged for her, but she got away.

Clyde managed to escape by doing a "pull up" against the side of his enclosure, and jumping onto the table. His legs are incredibly strong.

He still won't eat greens or most fruit. He sniffed at some papaya, but didn't eat it. At the moment, he's subsisting quite happily on crickets and other insects.

We bought Clyde a hanging pot -- a large red clay planter with one flat side, designed for mounting on a wall. He took to it immediately as a lair/hide; my eldest daughter thinks he acts just like a dragon.

All-in-all, Clyde's turned into a wonderful office companion. He's still a bit skittish after two months, but he's spending more time out with us. As with all lizards, earning his trust is a matter of patience...
-----
Scott Robert Ladd
1.0.0 Iguana (Rex)
1.0.0 African Giant Plated Lizard (Clyde)
1.0.0 Uro mali (Wizard)
0.1.0 Corn Snake (Amber)
1.1.0 Red-Eared Sliders (Jade and Emerald)
0.4.0 Homo sapiens (Maria, Elora, Becky, Tessa)
blog: http://chaoticcoyote.blogspot.com/

Sounds like Clyde is getting along nicely. I would be somewhat concerned about these anoles getting in with Clyde because, depending on his size he could possibly make an easy meal out of an anole - I know my G. validus would eat an anole if I offered one. The main problem there is introducing parasites from the anole to your lizard. As for his diet, have you tried cactus buttons? My grocery store occasionally has them and all my Plateds, my Blue Tongue and my turtles go nuts over them. You should continue to offer produce as he might eventually take to it. You can always try mixing a bit of fruit and veggies in with some canned dog food [good brand like Iams or Science Diet], and see if he'll go for that.
-----
Matt Campbell
Animal Keeper, Small Mammal/Reptile House
Lincoln Park Zoo Chicago, Illinois

Assistant Curator
Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, Illinois