Northern Alligator Lizards As Pets

The northern alligator lizard is a relatively small forest-dwelling lizard that originally comes from the Pacific coast of the United States. It grows to only between 3 and 6 inches, not counting its prehensile tail. Theses lizard are not only fascinating pets but are usually quite hardy, making them a smart choice for a beginning reptile enthusiast.

  1. Temperament

    • Northern alligator lizards can provide much entertainment, as they hunt and roam about their habitat. However, they do not enjoy much petting or cuddling; keep in mind that you will mainly watch them from afar. They can also be aggressive toward each other, so remember to avoid keeping two males in the same habitat.

    Feeding

    • Northern alligator lizards are carnivorous. Feed them a mixture of insects, such as crickets and mealworms; you can feed small mice to larger lizards. They can also eat scrambled eggs occasionally. A varied diet plays an important role in maintaining the lizard's health. Provide vitamin and mineral supplements by adding them to the food, and give your alligator lizard drinking water in a large, shallow bowl. The bowl should not be deep enough to cover the lizard's head, but it should be large enough that the lizard can crawl in if it wants to.

    Housing

    • Young northern alligator lizards will be comfortable in a 10- or 20-gallon terrarium-type habitat, depending on their size. Full-grown northern alligator lizards will need a larger space, of about 40 gallons, remain happy. Spread a soft, thick layer of substrate, such as a wood bark, mulch or soil, or a mixture of both, at the bottom of the habitat. You can use moss over this substrate. These lizards enjoy digging into the substrate, so it should be deep enough that they can do so comfortably. Place hollow logs and branches in the habitat; these provide both hiding places and areas for the lizard to climb.

    Temperature

    • Like all reptiles, northern alligator lizards are cold blooded and thus cannot regulate their body temperature without outside help. Therefore, you must maintain the temperature of the lizard's habitat. Keep the main temperature of the habitat between about 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, and avoid letting it drop to a colder temperature than 65 degrees at night. If you cannot maintain this temperature without a heater, install a ceramic heat emitter, undertank heater or another terrarium heating device. The lizard will also need a basking light over one end of the terrarium, which should maintain a basking area temperature between 85 and 90 degrees.

    Other Needs

    • Northern alligator lizards need a UVB light over their enclosure to provide them with the right amount of vitamin D. They also prefer a damp substrate. You can spray the substrate lightly, up to once a week, to keep it moist. Clean the terrarium frequently, cleaning away waste. Also, clean the water dish up to once a day, if possible, to keep the habitat clean and pest free. Clear away the substrate and replace it with clean substrate every six months to a year.