Yet Another Alligator Lizard Question

[The Ranger]

I've been purchasing the gut-loaded crickets-in-a-box
http://www.ebugco.com/. The most convenient way of making the
lizards interested in showing themselves beyond simple laying
about soaking up the sun or hiding from student eyes. I set the
box into the terrarium, break open the small opening for the
crickets to emerge, and they walk out in twos or threes for a week
and get gobbled up.

I apparently made the hole too big this last feeding because one
of the lizards is currently housing itself inside (I still don't
know _how_ it managed to get through the hole) the box.

Do alligator lizards need an enclosed area rather than dense
foliage? (I can certainly add another feeder box if that's the
case.)

The Ranger

[Big'un]

Post by The Ranger
I've been purchasing the gut-loaded crickets-in-a-box
http://www.ebugco.com/. The most convenient way of making the lizards
interested in showing themselves beyond simple laying about soaking up the
sun or hiding from student eyes. I set the box into the terrarium, break
open the small opening for the crickets to emerge, and they walk out in
twos or threes for a week and get gobbled up.
I apparently made the hole too big this last feeding because one of the
lizards is currently housing itself inside (I still don't know _how_ it
managed to get through the hole) the box.
Do alligator lizards need an enclosed area rather than dense foliage? (I
can certainly add another feeder box if that's the case.)
The Ranger

I don't have Alligator Lizards but I in my opinion most species like the
security of a hide, be it a burrow, cave, or box. It helps reduce stress.
1.0.0. Bearded Dragon
1.0.0. Nile Monitor
0.1.0. Mali Uromastyx
0.1.0. Green Iguana
0.1.0. Leopard Gecko
0.1.0. Argentine Black & White Tegu
0.1.0. Colombian Rainbow Boa

[Chris McMartin]

Post by The Ranger
Do alligator lizards need an enclosed area rather than dense foliage? (I
can certainly add another feeder box if that's the case.)

THIGMOTACTIC
Basically, many herps like having a hiding place where they can feel
secure; specifically, they like the feel of being in a "tight space"
meaning they can feel the "ceiling" of the space pressed against their
back. Even many species of turtle are like this (my box turtles try to
hide under the fridge).
I make hide boxes for my lizards out of Tupperware/Rubbermaid-type
containers. Granted, my lizards are small (~4") geckos, but these
containers come in so many sizes you can find the perfect size. My
lizards use small, shallow containers made to hold sandwiches. I use a
soldering iron to melt a hole in one corner of the lid (about twice the
diameter of the lizard) to use for the entrance. I fill most of the
container with coconut fiber, which I moisten periodically to keep the
hide box humid (helps with shedding). I fill it such that there's a
little bit of space around the entrance but not much in the rest of the
box. The lizard can go in and dig around to make itself the perfect-sized
hiding spot.
Chris
www.mcmartinville.com

[Chris McMartin]

Post by The Ranger
Do alligator lizards need an enclosed area rather than dense foliage? (I
can certainly add another feeder box if that's the case.)

Here's your word of the day:

THIGMOTACTIC

Basically, many herps like having a hiding place where they can feel secure;
specifically, they like the feel of being in a "tight space" meaning they
can feel the "ceiling" of the space pressed against their back. Even many
species of turtle are like this (my box turtles try to hide under the
fridge).

I make hide boxes for my lizards out of Tupperware/Rubbermaid-type
containers. Granted, my lizards are small (~4") geckos, but these
containers come in so many sizes you can find the perfect size. My lizards
use small, shallow containers made to hold sandwiches. I use a soldering
iron to melt a hole in one corner of the lid (about twice the diameter of
the lizard) to use for the entrance. I fill most of the container with
coconut fiber, which I moisten periodically to keep the hide box humid
(helps with shedding). I fill it such that there's a little bit of space
around the entrance but not much in the rest of the box. The lizard can go
in and dig around to make itself the perfect-sized hiding spot.

Chris
www.mcmartinville.com

[The Ranger]

Post by The Ranger
Do alligator lizards need an enclosed area rather
than dense foliage? (I can certainly add another
feeder box if that's the case.)

THIGMOTACTIC
Basically, many herps like having a hiding place
where they can feel secure; specifically, they like
the feel of being in a "tight space" meaning they can feel
the "ceiling" of the space pressed against
their back. [..]

Thanks, Chris.

I added another feeder box and that's exactly what happened.
Philippe was occupying box 1 and Juanita moved in a made box 2
her space. Philippe tried to expel her but she was rather
insistent about where his space wasn't. She also managed to fit
all 12" of herself into it without any problems. (The feeder
boxes are 4"X3"X1.5", have a "shelf" glued in and a cellophane
window for peering out.)

I fill most of the container with coconut fiber, which
I moisten periodically to keep the hide box humid (helps with
shedding). I fill it such that there's a little
bit of space around the entrance but not much in the
rest of the box. The lizard can go in and dig around
to make itself the perfect-sized hiding spot.

I've buried the heater rocks in the sand with the feeder boxes
atop the "foliage." I'm sure these receive some heat but it's
probably minimal. Should I move the greenery aside and place
their new hide-away boxes over the heater rocks?

Also, how do you prevent mold from sprouting when you provide
the dampened shredding?

Many thanks!

The Ranger

[Chris McMartin]

boxes are 4"X3"X1.5", have a "shelf" glued in and a cellophane window for
peering out.)

Only thing I would add is that being able to see out means other things
(you, "predators," etc) are able to see in. My hide boxes are translucent
so I can see the general shape of the lizard but in my opinion it's less
stressful for the lizards since they can't make out my "prying eyes."

I've buried the heater rocks in the sand with the feeder boxes atop the
"foliage." I'm sure these receive some heat but it's probably minimal.
Should I move the greenery aside and place their new hide-away boxes over
the heater rocks?

If they're using them as is, I wouldn't worry too much about it. You'll
probably catch some heat (ha ha) about using heater rocks--they have fallen
out of fashion since many reptiles burn themselves on them (even if they're
buried, your lizards can dig down to them).

Also, how do you prevent mold from sprouting when you provide the dampened
shredding?

Coconut fiber is relatively mold-resistant. If you get mold growing right
away, it's probably TOO damp. Inevitably, though, it will appear, and
that's a good indicator that it's time to replace it with fresh bedding
(keeps the microbe levels down and gets rid of any fecal material etc
anyway).