I just got a lizard and need help

[CornSnakeMan]

I have a sudan plated lizard and I was wondering if anyone could find me a caresheet or tell me some info on them because they're cool its just I'm lost on them because I dont know alot about them. please help

[Zoe]

http://www.unc.edu/~dtkirkpa/stuff/plated.html

http://www.reptileallsorts.com/basic-spl-cs.htm

http://www.nafcon.dircon.co.uk/gerrhosaurs1.html

http://www.centralpets.com/pages/cri.../LZD2701.shtml

http://www.anapsid.org/plated.html

Hope that helps I have one too... they are cool eh?? :P

Zoe

[CornSnakeMan]

yea they are and thanks for the info and do u need a heat pad because I have just the light for him and the people at the pet store told me thats all I needed was the light, water, and woodchips is it ok for me to turn off the light at night?

[Zoe]

Well, he needs enough heat to come from the light. They don't need heatpads because they are baskers. If you have a heat light, it's fine. And yes, it can go off at night, but if it gets below, say, 75F in your house at night, I;d suggest getting an infrared heatlight.

Zoe

[CornSnakeMan]

ok thanx and he's in a 10 gal. right now until I get a 50 is that ok he doesnthave much room in their and he's not eating his crickets is that a problem?

[Zoe]

In a 10gal??????? How big is he?????? How long until your get a 50gal??

Mine doesn't eat crickets, only mealworms and pinky mice (and veggies, of course). Even if your's wanted to eat crickets, I doubt he could hunt them in such a small enclosure.

[CornSnakeMan]

probably a couple of days but I let him out every hour to let him roam around the floor I know its bad but until then I have to do my best.

[Zoe]

How long is he?

Could you maybe let him live in the bathtub for a few days? A 10 gal wwaayy too small for such a big lizard.

[Ritus_Reptile]

go buy a big tote plastic box for a temp home. They cost under 10 bucks and you can get them at kmart or home depot. Even if you buy him a tank in the near future you can always find a use for a tote.

[CornSnakeMan]

ok I'll do that he's 13 inches

[Zoe]

How long has he been in the 10gal?

As Ritus said, get a big rubbermaid. They are cheap, work well, and last forever. I do suggest keeping the lizard in the bathtub on some newspaper (ball some up for him to burrow) until you can get a rubbermaid, he'll be much happier.

How old is he? 13" is pretty small for an adult.

Zoe

[CornSnakeMan]

I dont know how old he is but the whole rubbermaid thing sounds good I dont think I'll keep him in the tub.Did yours try to getaway from you when you tried to hold it? Mine does is that bad seeing that I jsut got him? And how do u tell it from girl or boy?

[Zoe]

If you let him out during the day, then it's okay, but he cant live in a 10 gal very long. Imagine how sore you'd be if you were stuck in a tiny box for days.
Mine doesn't like to be handled at all. I have the scratches to prove it! She doesn't bite or scratch on purpose, but she thrashes like mad when I pick her up. Sooo I handle her only when necessary, like to bring her to the bath for a nice soak while I clean her cage.

Males and females aren't hard to tell apart by looking at the tail, but only if you have another to compare. Males have thicker tails. Another way to tell is personnality... The females tend to be very skittish, and the males tend to be more easy going (they know they are in charge!). Sounds like you have a female, but it may just be nervous from the move.

Zoe

[CornSnakeMan]

thanx and I have the 50 now and I was wondering since it was so high that I dont think the 200 watt bulb will heat it. Will it?

[Zoe]

Great!
Well, how high is it? Only one way to find out... place the bulb normally, and put a thermometer on the ground in the tank beneath it, and see if it gets warm enough.

Zoe