 | mobile - desktop |
|
| mobile - desktop |
|
 |
 |
News & Events:
|
Posted by JJFeldner on December 30, 2002 at 10:40:02:
In Reply to: need help on S. C alligator lizard hibernation posted by kitties on December 27, 2002 at 00:58:27:
SOCAL Alligators are a motley bunch when it comes to brumation. It depends where your lizard comes from as to whether it will brumate. Most coastal or cismontane lizards do not hibernate but when it gets chilly, they become somewhat torpid. It is only the high mountain lizards which go into a period of brumation. However, it has to get real cold for them to do so. I have seen Alligators out and about on sunny but cold days in the Santa Monicas and San Gabriels in winter and if it warms up at all as it is prone to do in SOCAL, the lizards will be totally active and feeding.
As to the fact that the lizard has not been feeding, what is its diet? Are you giving it a varied diet with mealworms, crickets, etc? Alligators also love Jerusalem Crickets , Grasshoppers (not this time of year) and even small lizards such as Utas.
Now, if your lizard is from high up in the mountains such as the Sierras or San Bernardinos, it may want to brumate when day length gets shorter. In that case, do not heat the cage (I never gave my Alligators artificial heat) and put it in a dark place. Do provide water at least a couple of times a week. You may remove the water in between times but I always made sure my animals always had water.
I presently have Northerns and Southerns and I don't hibernate them. They continue to be active and feed.
