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Texas Spiny Lizard Age

22 14:46:54

Question
Hello, I am a teenager who currently lives in Texas. A few days ago, I discovered a Texas Spiny Lizard who took to the vivarium I had set out to dry after I used it to move some geckos out of my home. I brought it to the vet's and researched it, and it is in perfect condition. I am glad that it now is enjoying its new life of easy prey, but I would just like to know how old it is. I was wondering if there was a way to find out how old the lizard is, without much hassle.
Thank you for sparing the time to read this question.
-Nicole

Answer
Follow up:
You are yet another example of a poor keeper in the making who is miffed at being given an honest answer. A spoiled child. My advice now is that you not keep any reptiles at all. I do not think you will make a responsible keeper. Its more about you than facts, or the welfare of the animal it seems, and for that, I do not apologize for what I say to you.  

If you want an answer which fits what you want to hear, then go talk to a parrot.  

PS- I also find it humorous that one who does not know enough to answer her own question could be the judge of my knowledge of reptiles. Point of fact, since you say you are a teenager...then that means I have been keeping and studying reptiles for longer than you have been alive. I was doing this before you were born.

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Your question was sent to the pool, but I will answer it.

I live in Texas as well. My advice is to let the lizard go.

What do you mean by enjoying its new life as "easy prey"?
Not sure what that means, but I guarantee it is not enjoying its "new life". You are just being anthropomorphic. It is a wild reptile, and wild reptiles would rather be in the wild. They fear you, and always will. That is not fair to the lizard.  

Capturing a reptile causes them stress, and stress can kill reptiles. A beginner should not be taking wild caught reptiles anyway, and you are sure to kill it before its time. I say beginner no matter what you have done before, because you can't have that much experience as a teenager. The trend in ethical reptile keeping is toward captive bred animals, and there is no reason to capture something from the wild for your selfish entertainment as a pet. Its unethical. The only reason to keep a wild reptile is for rehabilitation purposes, etc. How would you like to be taken away somewhere by somebody who thought they could just take care of you better?

Let the lizard go, continue to study, and buy captive bred reptile only, or better yet, adopt a needy animal from a shelter if you want a pet. I run a reptile rescue and we never have enough people wanting to adopt the needy animals that actually need a home. It makes me sick to see people continuing to catch things that were perfectly ok in the wild.

You might think I'm harsh. But if so, I bet you haven't considered the lizard's prespective as a wild animal. I know where it would rather be, and understanding that and caring about that, is the first step toward understanding reptiles and actually caring about whats best for them.