[Zoodulcis]

I’m sure that helped tremendously. How old was he when you got him?

[Zoodulcis]

Safer that way too!

[Zoodulcis]

Wow, he is very different than the alligator lizards typically found in the southwestern US. They are very brownish, and have personalities like that implied in their name. You learn something new every day I guess, since I never knew alligator lizards of any kind made good pets! Beautiful color, but does he ever try to bite?

[Zoodulcis]

I hear ya! She suffers from anxiety and the rats and social interaction that come from working with the very sweet and funny ladies in the organization provide really important structure and relief for her.

[Zoodulcis]

Oh my gosh, my best friend of 40 years would just love you! She works for Wee Companions in San Diego as a rat rescue foster mom and adoption coordinator. She has done this for nearly a decade now and has anywhere from 6 to 20 rats in her living room ( all in gender and age appropriate cages, with two dedicated exercise areas and daily time for socialization with people). They have given her so much pleasure and meaning as a retiree. I hear about their escapades every month on scheduled calls. And yes, some of them are snake food rescues. As she likes to say…’Well, snakes gotta eat too!’ But she does love the ones that come her way, and understands the cycle of life without prejudice. So congratulations on your new ratso!

[Zoodulcis]

Greetings AB,

So a new rescue, good for you.

Brumation seems to be a function of day length as well as temperature. So unless they have been keeping this poor thing without artificial light on a 12/12 light and dark regime, she should not be acting in the manner she is, and should be getting more and more alert. Also, the vernal equinox is only a week away, so natural daylength should also be helping. My money is on parasites or disease, maybe malnutrition, but you won’t be able to know for sure until she is in your possession. If you strongly suspect lingering brumation, keep her enclosure just a little extra toasty, and try a 13 hour day length for a week and see how she responds.

[Zoodulcis]

Hang on Lily!

[Zoodulcis]

She is cute and seems fairly healthy so far. Not a fan of Petsmart so I hope she thrives in your care.

[Zoodulcis]

An excellent question. Most lay eggs outside of the body, but the Jackson’s hatches the eggs inside her body then gives birth to live young.

[Zoodulcis]

AB knows good websites and youtube links, so I endorse her recommendation. And yeah, your setup seems awesome. Good thing you covered up the sand, because that can cause impaction over time.

[Zoodulcis]

If you have either Baytril or Neosporin handy, you can try swabbing the areas affected with those twice daily. If there is no visible change in 3 days, then it may be time to take him to the vet (since I am not one and have not examined the little dude live and up close.)

[Zoodulcis]

From this picture, it looks pretty awesome. I assume the lights are UVB?

[Zoodulcis]

Hallelujah!

[Zoodulcis]

Trying again for free crickets, I see. Very good idea. I take it Dot is doing well and still eating tons of crickets?

[Zoodulcis]

Oh good, the boss sometimes does things in the wee hours, and I guess this was one of those times. Glad you got it and enjoy (or rather watch your critters enjoy!!)

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