Ok I own an iguana (just got it a month ago) and my dad was washing outside when we found a skink in our backyard. We caught it and put it in our ig's old aquarium. I'm thinking about keeping it, but should I? How much do these grow? I'm going to go check out the care guide, but I'm just wondering if it's worth keeping the little guy. Ok it might be a long tailed lizard or a skink, I don't know. What are the main differences? Here's a picture. It's smaller than it looks like. Maybe it's something else. Can anyone help me identify it?

Is it's back smooth or kinda rough,,,,,almost plated ?

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Ken
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem." -- Ronald Reagan

That pic is tough to tell,,,,but I'd say it is a Sceloporus undulatus (an Eastern Fence Lizard) WHere are you located ??

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Ken
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem." -- Ronald Reagan

I'm fairly certain this is an alligator lizard, but what species depends on where you live. If I had to guess I'd say a southern alligator lizard, Elgaria multicarinata. Perhaps more specifically a California alligator lizard, Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata, but that's rather presumptuous for not knowing where you live.

It's not a garden skink, which is native to Australia. I believe long-tailed lizards are native to Europe and Asia.

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+5 bonus points to whoever finds me a job!

"Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines." - John Benfield

Yep, alligator lizard it is. Man, aren't you a good guesser? Haha, yes I live in southern California so it probably is a southern cali alligator lizard. To be exact I live in LA. Umm, should I keep it or let it go? I have no idea how hard it is to maintain, or what it eats.

IMO, you should let it go. The bug population doesn't need any help and alligator lizards are important in the food chain.
Just my two cents.

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Andrea

Yeah, I would recommend letting it go as well. Your hands will be full taking care of an iguana, a somewhat difficult and expensive reptile to keep. Since you're still new to keeping those, I'd concentrate on that rather than learning how to take care of an alligator lizard too.

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"Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines." - John Benfield

Yeah, I let it go last night. It didn't want to leave, but I went to look in the morning and it was gone and it left a little present behind .

I'm glad you let it go. Wild-caught critters tend to have a tough time adjusting to captivity. In the long run, you'll both be happier.

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~~Steph

"This I believe: That the free, exploring mind of the individual human is the most valuable thing in the world." John Steinbeck

Yep I guess your are correct. I guess i'll just stick with my iguana for now.