A surprise addition to the In-ko-pah RR!

[Ray Dunakin]

Several nights ago I was going over the railroad with a flashlight, checking for black widow spiders. I looked into this small cave just above the Cliffside Mine, and discovered it's inhabited by an alligator lizard -- and she's filled it with eggs! I've been keeping on eye on it ever since. She's gone during the day but always in there guarding the eggs at night. Here's a shot of the eggs, which are about the size of marbles: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I've started feeding her some mealworms and got her to take some from my hand already. I've posted some more pics on my website, and also a brief video of her taking a mealworm from my hand: . . . . . . http://www.raydunakin.com/Site/Wildlife_At_Home.html .. . . . . . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8iuvzPQ1cg . . . . . .

[Mt Beenak]

Congratulations.  Does this make you a grandfather?

They look like skinks.  We have a variety of skink called the blue tongue.  They are so slow that they are easy to catch and tame.  My son kept some in our yard, and they bred each year.  Ours have live young.

This is the adult, she was about 15 inches long.

and this one of the new born.  She had about nine each year.

[PJM20]

Since they are family, does that mean that they get free railroad passes? How is this going to effect your operation? alligator lizards to the forum! - Peter

[ttrigg]

Nothing like good old Mother Nature providing the best form of insect population control. Giving them a mealworm every now and then will keep them hard at work on the hillside. The wife picked up three in 1995(?) and put them in the vegetable bed and we’ve not had a bug problem since. For one to have searched you out means good luck and fortune for you my friend.

[Ray Dunakin]

Wow, those skinks are really cool-looking! That big one looks so contented, resting on the rocks.

[Ray Dunakin]

The eggs have hatched!! . . . . . . . Saturday the mother lizard left the nest and didn't return. Sunday night, the eggs started hatching. Here are a couple of shots... . . . . . . . . . . . . Sorry about the poor quality of the images. It's hard to get a decent shot through the narrow opening of the cave, while holding the camera in one hand, a flashlight in the other, and trying not to crush any of the Cliffside Mine structures. Also, as soon as they were free of the eggs, the baby lizards would quickly scurry into the farthest reaches of the cave when I'd try to get pictures. . . . . . . . . . Monday morning only a couple eggs were left. The one closest to the mouth of the cave was hatching. The little guy just got his head out, then lay there for a couple hours. I had to leave, and when I came back later in the day he was gone. I never saw any of the babies after that... . . . . . . . ...

[ttrigg]

Ray Dunakin

when I came back later in the day he was gone. I never saw any of the babies after that... . . . . . . . ...

Leave a very small mealworm every 2 or 3 days or so, near the mouth of the "cave". A "granule" of raw hamburger will also work, but not preferred. You should be seeing fleeting glances of them in about 6~8 weeks, after they grow a bit bigger. If you can convince them to stay local with a steady food supply for their first six months they should stay for a very long time. You might loose a few to "mating urges" after late May ’11. If you make it easy for them to stay, you will receive the very best insect population control available. Fortune smiles upon you my friend, grasp it with all the gusto available.

[Mt Beenak]

Congratulations on the sudden population rise on your railway. I agree with everything Tom says. I found that our babies liked boiled egg and an occasional fruit platter, of banana, strawberries, grapes or anything else they might find in season in the wild. I cut or grated everything , in line with their small size. The problem with hamburger is the preservatives and salt which are added. Fresh meat minced by yourself would be a safer option.

[PJM20]

Congrates! Your a daddy! With all you guys living in warmer climates and have the posiblilty of having these cool lizards, I wonder what I get in central PA - Peter

[dwbeckett]

PJM20

Congrates! Your a daddy! With all you guys living in warmer climates and have the posiblilty of having these cool lizards, I wonder what I get in central PA - Peter

Cockroach's

Dave

[Ray Dunakin]

Thanks for the tips!

[ttrigg]

Ray: Just got the e-mail from YouTube (I am a subscriber of yours) showing you posting 2 vids feeding the adult lizards! Fabulous shots!!! When I first read this post, I was under the very mistaken impression that you were a newcomer to "hosting" lizards. Boy was I ever wrong!!! Obviously you have been enjoying Mother Natures insect control system for many years. Very well done my friend.

Here we are giving feeding hints unknowingly to a resident expert. Again I say well done.

[PJM20]

dwbeckett

Cockroach's

Naw, those are in Williamsport, Philly, Pittsburgh, Erie and Scranton. Maybe I could train () one of our domesticated fat 3 lbs squirells that hiss at me. - Peter

[vsmith]

Be careful Ray, dont feed 'em too much, they get mean if they get too big...

[Ray Dunakin]

ttrigg

Ray: Just got the e-mail from YouTube (I am a subscriber of yours) showing you posting 2 vids feeding the adult lizards! Fabulous shots!!! When I first read this post, I was under the very mistaken impression that you were a newcomer to "hosting" lizards. Boy was I ever wrong!!! Obviously you have been enjoying Mother Natures insect control system for many years. Very well done my friend.

Here we are giving feeding hints unknowingly to a resident expert. Again I say well done.

Hey, the tip about leaving food in the cave for the hatchlings was still good, I wouldn't have thought of that. I'm glad you enjoyed the videos!

[PJM20]

Nice video! - Peter