Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I feel so stupid and ignorant to have done this, but within 10mins of returning from the breeder with a pair of breeding plateds, I placed them in the garden(to go in a pen to bask)within a minute I placed one down on the decking, it shot off unexpectedly and under the decking, I can't see it anywhere, does anyone have any ideas, I'm devastated

If you haven't found it by the time you read this, I would look into any cracks/crevices under the deck and around the foundation. Those will be the most likely places for a lizard to go in order to feel secure. I would suggest having a fine mesh fish net [like used for aquaria] handy as well as some boards or pieces of cardboard that you could use as baffles in case you get it cornered somewhere. The net and baffles will help you insure that you keep it contained in a smaller area. Best of luck.
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Matt Campbell
Animal Keeper, Small Mammal/Reptile House
Lincoln Park Zoo Chicago, Illinois

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

I managed to find it 4hours later behind a stack of fence panels, I'm relieved! Thanks for your post. This is my first time with plateds, and as of yet they've been pretty still, like playing dead almost, is this them just being stressed? or common or what?thanks

Your Plateds are probably pretty stressed out from all the factors from change of location, new cage, new sites/sounds, etc. However, what species of Plated Lizard are we talking about and what is your set up? Cage size, substrate, temp gradient, UV or not, etc. Give as many details as possible so I can help figure out if you've gotten everything set up properly.
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Matt Campbell
Animal Keeper, Small Mammal/Reptile House
Lincoln Park Zoo Chicago, Illinois

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