Found a lizard

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Hi,

While out in the garden today I found a common lizard sitting on the grass, it didn't really move much and in fact was still there late in the afternoon as the temperature was falling and frost forming on it so I don't know if I've done the right thing but I've brought it inside as I reckon the snow forecast tomorrow will probably kill it if the dogs or chooks don't. Should it be hibernating at this time of year?

At the moment I've got it in an old fish tank with some natural bark chips and a few wooden looking ornaments. I've put some water in there and a few small snails, a slug that I found and a couple of small spiders but to be honest I'm completely clueless as to what I should be doing. Do I release it in some undergrowth now, put the tank somewhere cold like the shed or look after it until the weather warms up a bit?

Paul

Link to piccy here

Edited by AceB

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AceB Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 07 Feb 2007 Status: Offline Points: 2	Post Options Post Reply Quote AceB Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Found a lizard Posted: 07 Feb 2007 at 1:42pm
	Hi, While out in the garden today I found a common lizard sitting on the grass, it didn't really move much and in fact was still there late in the afternoon as the temperature was falling and frost forming on it so I don't know if I've done the right thing but I've brought it inside as I reckon the snow forecast tomorrow will probably kill it if the dogs or chooks don't. Should it be hibernating at this time of year? At the moment I've got it in an old fish tank with some natural bark chips and a few wooden looking ornaments. I've put some water in there and a few small snails, a slug that I found and a couple of small spiders but to be honest I'm completely clueless as to what I should be doing. Do I release it in some undergrowth now, put the tank somewhere cold like the shed or look after it until the weather warms up a bit? Paul Link to piccy here Edited by AceB

mikebrown Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 30 Jun 2005 Location: England Status: Offline Points: 108	Post Options Post Reply Quote mikebrown Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 Feb 2007 at 2:50pm
	Hi Paul, Its best to gently cover the lizard with some dry material like fine bark chips or wood chippings about an inch thick and place the tank in a cool but frost-free place like a shed. It won't feed, but will sleep, just 'ticking over' until early Spring (early March). Watch for it waking up then, when it could be released in a suitable place on a nice sunny and reasonably warm day. It should have been hibernating at present, but could have been disturbed, or tempted out by the sun. Where in the country do you live? Cheers, Mike
	Mike Brown Merseyside ARG

herpetologic2 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Coordinator Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1511	Post Options Post Reply Quote herpetologic2 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 Feb 2007 at 3:30pm
	I would go with that - something I would stress is to have the water available - as young lizards will dehydrate so some moisture would help. Keep an eye on the little fella until later in the year when warmer weather comes - March time or you could find a suitable brash pile or something to create the same conditions etc JC
	Report your sightings to the Record Pool http://arguk.org/recording

AceB Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 07 Feb 2007 Status: Offline Points: 2	Post Options Post Reply Quote AceB Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 Feb 2007 at 4:01pm
	Thanks for the replies, I'll move him out into the shed then and we've plenty of fine chips so can cover him up. Mike, we are down in Sussex, just outside of Eastbourne and on the Downs. Not sure if the garden is ideal territory for a lizard, we do have a pond with semi tree cover so lots of damp ground under it and lots of bugs and snails etc but we also have free ranging hens and a couple of cats who have been known to bring in the odd bit of wildlife so I was really surprised to see him out and still alive. Although I'll cover him and hope he sleeps for a month or so do I keep a dish of water in there as well? The bark chip is quite damp, not sure if this is good or not but I suppose if he was in the garden it would be too. When would it be OK to release him, I guess it's a weather/temperature/seasonal thing, any pointers to when I should thinking about doing it? I'm worried he's not going to sleep and starve if I leave him in the tank too long.

mikebrown Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 30 Jun 2005 Location: England Status: Offline Points: 108	Post Options Post Reply Quote mikebrown Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 Feb 2007 at 6:42pm
	I would certainly leave him in the tank in the shed until the weather warms up outside - even down there I would think not much likelihood of good enough weather for lizards to be active for long until early March. He may well become active in the tank when it is warm enough. Then he should start to feed and spiders and small insects are their favourite food, not slugs or snails. Best to keep a small shallow saucer of water in the tank, but the substrate should not be too moist. I would release him away from the garden, if you've got hens and cats. A dry, sunny slope with scattered shrubs would be ideal. I'm sure you've got local populations of Common Lizards in that area. Cheers, Mike
	Mike Brown Merseyside ARG