help. dont know how to care for this thing

[snake momma]

Hello....I have 2 garter snakes but have been wanting a lizard for some time. Today my little brother came in saying he killed a lizard. it turned out to be a beardie. Its not dead though:) Pls help me with everything on how to care for one from what food and how much to exact heating. I such short notice I have.him in a rubbeemaid with some water and sticks. A rock something to hide under and a small bowl of lettuce. My main questions are how many crickets a day he should get and also if he has humidity needs. I posted pics of him and his home. By the way id let him go but he has a broken leg.

[MDT]

Today my little brother came in saying he killed a lizard. it turned out to be a beardie. Its not dead though.

Was he in PetSmart whacking bearded dragons in their enclosures, or do you live in Australia? I can't even wrap my head around this...

Google bearded dragon care sheet.

[wrecker45]

If it has a broken leg. Take to a vet.

[jpsteele80]

If it has a broken leg. Take to a vet.

Took the words right out of my mouth

[poison123]

Not a beardie. Its some sort of horned lizard.

[snake momma]

Yeah. We call ember horny toads

[MDT]

based on the photos you posted it is a horned lizard, not a bearded dragon. These guys are not for beginners. horned lizard's diet is comprised (entirely?) of ants. if you can't supply these, turn it loose. it will starve to death in captivity.

[sharthun]

based on the photos you posted it is a horned lizard, not a bearded dragon. These guys are not for beginners. horned lizard's diet is comprised (entirely?) of ants. if you can't supply these, turn it loose. it will starve to death in captivity.

^^^^^^^^^This!!!! Release it!

[Terranaut]

At least in the wild if it doesn't get better it can end up as food for another animal. Sounds harsh but it's that circle of life thing. As others have said. Let it go.

[snake momma]

I just ordered harvester ants.

[MDT]

Seriously? Let it go. It's gonna die.

I swear ErikBush has returned....

[poison123]

I would think in captivity their diet can be switched over to other insects? Dart frogs and fence lizards feed mainly on ants in the wild but I've raised both on fruit flies and crickets.

I do agree that you should let it free. You were not even aware on what kind of lizard it was so I doubt you are ready to care for one.

Never fed ants to anything but they seem like they would make tricky feeders. Put to much in there with out anything to eat and I would think they would over power and eat the lizard. I've lost animals do to ants before (infestations not feeders)

[Stewjoe]

They require the Formic Acid. Some people have supplemented their water with it but not with great results.

[poison123]

They require the Formic Acid. Some people have supplemented their water with it but not with great results.

Whats different with these guys and other lizards that they need formic acids?

[Terranaut]

Seriously? Let it go. It's gonna die.

I swear ErikBush has returned....

I just about fell out of my chair....thanks :)

[formica]

you are not being kind by keeping this lizard. as strange as it may sound, it is cruel to keep such a specialized lizard in captivity, its hard enough for professionals to keep them alive and healthy, and many many have died in the hands of professionals with extensive knowledge and experience of reptile care.

you would need to feed upto 100 harvester ants a day, to have any hope of supporting him, that would require at least 3 mature colonies of harvester ants, that is upto 6000 ants, in 3 colonies of around 3-4 years maturity, minimum. (and thats assuming it is a species which eats harvesters/Messor sp....some do not!)

[snake momma]

My mom lived in yonder and she caught.them all the time. She fed them flies and they lived for.years with her for years;)

[Mikoh4792]

My mom lived in yonder and she caught.them all the time. She fed them flies and they lived for.years with her for years;)

.... So you are not releasing the animal?

[snake momma]

We just sat him outside but he's not moving

[Valvaren]

Just leave him be, go back into your house.

[jpsteele80]

.... So you are not releasing the animal?

Doesn't sound like it, but since her dad has anacondas it somehow gives her big snake experience, and now since her mom kept them years ago she has tons of lizard experience, yep that just about covers it

[snake momma]

I just said I did!!!!!!! I never said I had TONS of.experience. with anything. Don't put words.in my mouth pls.

[jpsteele80]

Something here just doesn't make sense to me at all, first you caught what you thought was a bearded dragon (which coming across one in the wilderness of Colorado would be pretty much non existent ) then when you found out what it was you ordered ants ( didn't know 10 year Olds had credit cards ) then your mom had them years ago and got them to change there diet completely to something else ( which isn't likely and it's hard enough to wack flies with a swatter and your mom caught enough to feed it every day?, and why didn't your mom identify what it was for you since she had previously kept them before?) It's one thing to come on here and ask for help with an animal you have, everyone is more than willing to help, but why would you keep an animal that you don't know what it is and then try and keep it when you really don't know anything about it. Yeah you said you let it go when I think you realized you couldn't care for it, something just doesn't sound right.

[snake momma]

My mom told me it was a horny toad from the beginning and she said they might be called bearded dragons. I don't have a credit card, but my parents do. I let it go cause my mom didn't want another animal in the house. Wow. I didn't know grown men had nothing better to do than pick on young girls. Just tell me it wasn't a beardie and leave me alone. This site isn't for me.

[jpsteele80]

No one is picking on you but call it whatever you want, the things you say don't make sense, if my mom didn't want me to have another animal when I was young she certainly would not have let me order food for an animal she didn't want.

[metalcopper]

This doesn't make sense. In the OP's other post about wanting a retic, the grammer and spelling were perfect, now, it's all over the place. Seems like someone is messing with the forum. Plus, the inconsistencies and the phony pic of the Yellow Anaconda. Something doesn't seem right, sorry if I"m wrong. Just my thoughts.

[Sublimeballs]

Idk seems fishy... But if its not let me help you. First don't lie. There's no point. We can't properly help you if we don't have all the facts, and as you can tell people don't like to be lie to. You'll get called out on it and people arnt going to want to help you.


Secondly, when you ask for advice and are given great advice(like in this thread) if you completely ignore it passions are going to rise. If you're going to ask for advice be prepared to take the asvice given. It's not always what you're going to want to hear, but some valuable advice and information can be found here.

This is in my opinion like the best site on the web for snakes. A lot of that has to do with the fact that people on here put the animals well being first followed closely by personal safety. I'm not trying to be harsh but if you're serious about reptiles this site is a wonderful tool to help you.

[Terranaut]

I think a mother and daughter are sharing this ID.
This site is for you. Just relax and remember this...we all appreciate your enthusiasm but will always do our best to inject a little wisdom intoyour choices if we can . Don't take it so personally and learn as you go.

[Kimmie]

your brother how old?, if old enough to know not to do such kind of things slap him as the first step ;. Or sit down and have a good talk with him because that is not okay.

[Jim Smith]

Snake Momma (or her daughter) - If it seems like the people here were harsh or mean to you, please understand that they will always put the well being of the animal ahead of the feelings of the person asking the question(s). They will always try to the best information and guidance and it gets frustrating when a person asks for help and then openly decides to ignore the advise provided by more experienced, dedicated herpers. Take a deep breath and don't get offended. This is a great site for you to learn from and eventually share your knowledge and experience with others.