[LIVING LAB] Northwestern Alligator Lizard

Is it just me, or do you think hot, temperate, tropical destinations when you envision where a lizard would live (in other words, the opposite of here). While, apparently that is not so, as we have our own species of lizard right here on Bowen Island. Allow me to introduce (or re-introduce) to you, the Northwestern Alligator Lizard.

I remember having these little guys in our cliff side garden, when we lived in Queen Charlotte Heights, and have sneaked a peak at a few since moving back here, as they are pretty private, and scurry away from their basking rock as soon as they sense you near. So never have I had a chance to really look at one up close and study their behaviours...

...until now! A couple weeks ago, my friend Tia, discovered one of these little characters in her living room! We are guessing him/her and it's siblings, ventured out of hibernation when the temperatures warmed and when they suddenly dropped again, these poor little critters were left exposed to the elements. We were lucky enough to save two.

And so starts our 2014 Living Lab - HOORAY!!!!!!

We got a nice, fresh, clear plastic bin from the Irly Bird, cut a hole in the top and covered it with cheesecloth. We then filled it with dirt, lichen, moss, sticks and stones from Cape Roger Curtis, which is the perfect environment for them to live in (and where we've seen them in the past). We added a cave, by turning a plastic bath toy on it's side and filling the bottom with dirt, and the outside top and sides with moss. The smooth, flat stones are slices of slate that we scavenged, and the branch is from an arbutus tree.

We added some water by using the lid of a spice jar and filling the base with smooth aquarium stones so it's not too deep. We researched Northern Alligator Lizards in captivity and learned that they eat crickets...and yup, they were correct. Watching this little guy hunt, and chomp down on an insect of this size, is pretty cool to watch.

We have also noted, that he uses his tongue to smell his surroundings, much like a snake. In fact, his body and movements are very snake like. He slithers his way through his habitat - so cool! We will let this little guy go, once the temperature is steadily warmer. Until then, we will continue to document and share his progression with you.

To learn more about the reptiles that call Beautiful British Columbia their home, visit bcreptiles.ca