Sand Lizards 2013

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   Well good and bad news here in (briefly) sunny devon.

Had our first Sandie out yesterday, though sadly he looked very moribund, obviously very chilled and seemed to have eye problems. His plumage/pelage/scalage (what is the term??) was quite advanced though which was interesting. Maybe he'd been out couple of days??

Better news today, with another adult out in bright afternoon sun, air temp probably only in 5 degreees though. (sorry its a bit spot the dorso-laterals..!)

He was quite active, wouldnt let me get close and disapeared down this hole...much smaller than I would have guessed for a lizard retreat.

i could just see his tail in hole, sadly hasnt come out on snap.

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SteveA Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 30 Aug 2007 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 53	Post Options Post Reply Quote SteveA Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Sand Lizards 2013 Posted: 29 Mar 2013 at 3:43pm
	Well good and bad news here in (briefly) sunny devon. Had our first Sandie out yesterday, though sadly he looked very moribund, obviously very chilled and seemed to have eye problems. His plumage/pelage/scalage (what is the term??) was quite advanced though which was interesting. Maybe he'd been out couple of days?? Better news today, with another adult out in bright afternoon sun, air temp probably only in 5 degreees though. (sorry its a bit spot the dorso-laterals..!) He was quite active, wouldnt let me get close and disapeared down this hole...much smaller than I would have guessed for a lizard retreat. i could just see his tail in hole, sadly hasnt come out on snap.

AGILIS Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 27 Feb 2007 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1689	Post Options Post Reply Quote AGILIS Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 31 Mar 2013 at 10:41am
	I find it hard to believe sand lizards out in this weather..keith
	LOCAL ICYNICAL CELTIC ECO WARRIOR AND FAILED DRUID

Robert V Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 06 Aug 2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1264	Post Options Post Reply Quote Robert V Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 04 Apr 2013 at 11:22pm
	He's either gone to that great heath in the sky or hes a plastic impersonator... R
	RobV

AGILIS Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 27 Feb 2007 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1689	Post Options Post Reply Quote AGILIS Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 05 Apr 2013 at 8:46pm
	Perhaps these are some of the new released prototypes Chris has been developing by feeding glycol in their diet.keith
	LOCAL ICYNICAL CELTIC ECO WARRIOR AND FAILED DRUID

Iowarth Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Status: Offline Points: 743	Post Options Post Reply Quote Iowarth Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 Apr 2013 at 7:46pm
	Dammit - you guessed Keith!!
	Chris Davis, Site Administrator Co-ordinator, Sand Lizard Captive Breeding Programme (RETIRED)

SteveA Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 30 Aug 2007 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 53	Post Options Post Reply Quote SteveA Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08 Apr 2013 at 2:57pm
	Ha Ha. Sadly chap in first picture didnt make it (despite some warmth and TLC) and given he was blind not sure what i would have done with him even if he had. It looked like his eyes had simply rotted away whilst in hibernation (I've seen similar on captive animals and assumed it was too dry in hibernation media, but that seems unlikly given this winter!) You may also notice blackening around nose, I wondered if this might have been frost damage? He's been dead for 4-5 days when this was taken so some of blue tone is post mortem.

SteveA Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 30 Aug 2007 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 53	Post Options Post Reply Quote SteveA Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23 Apr 2013 at 12:58pm
	Nobody any opinions? Ah well, never mind.

Iowarth Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Status: Offline Points: 743	Post Options Post Reply Quote Iowarth Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23 Apr 2013 at 1:16pm
	Hi Steve The problem is that the eye problem seems to have too many causes. Yes, I have known it as a side effect of excess dryness - but also of excess dampness. Similarly the eyes tend to be the first part to suffer from frost damage and on occasion, they are simply stuck closed and infection sets in (unlikely in this case as they don't appear to be swollen). This, incidentally, sometimes seems to be caused by failure to slough properly - particularly the sub-ocular, post and supranasals, supraciliaries and even the eyelids themselves. I suspect this may be the case simply because, in the very first picture he seems to be gasping and in the last the nostrils appear blocked. Chris
	Chris Davis, Site Administrator Co-ordinator, Sand Lizard Captive Breeding Programme (RETIRED)

SteveA Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 30 Aug 2007 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 53	Post Options Post Reply Quote SteveA Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02 Jun 2013 at 1:32pm
	Thank you Chris, very interesting. Does that suggest one could "cure" the problem by rubbing/ clearing the skin away from eyes/ head?? Not something one would chance to do very often in wild I grant you but who knows! apologies for tardy thanks I havent been on forum for ages. Steve

Iowarth Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Status: Offline Points: 743	Post Options Post Reply Quote Iowarth Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02 Jun 2013 at 2:59pm
	Hi Steve It does indeed. And a ploy I have used successfully on occasion with lacertids of various sorts. A trifle tricky in the wild though! Chris
	Chris Davis, Site Administrator Co-ordinator, Sand Lizard Captive Breeding Programme (RETIRED)