Lizard and 'mander experts, identify this visitor please?

[Fire Walk With Me]

It's getting chilly (relatively, for lizards) at night in LA, and I was wondering if this one, found inside, should be kept and coddled or released into the evening. It's not very big at all, so I don't know what it would eat or if it would thrive inside.

Thanks for any insight!

[supernova]

1. Looks like a skink or similar

Skinks are small lizards that love our yards around here. :-)

[Fire Walk With Me]

3. Thank you, that's a good lead.

[fizzgig]

2. i don't know

but it's cute :)

[Fire Walk With Me]

4. .

:)

[Gormy Cuss]

5. Looks like a Western fence lizard and if so, catch it and drop it outdoors.

They eat insects and at least in my area they will try to come inside during the winter but there's not much to eat in a house.

[Fire Walk With Me]

6. Thanks!

Edit: I just googled for that type and they're all far larger and fatter than this one. It's really, really small and thin. I got the camera right up close on it.

Of course, I don't know its mature size, or if this is already mature or not.

It was in my room so I don't know if this means that I'm supposed to take care of it or not.

[Gormy Cuss]

7. It may be an immature one.

I've shooed little ones (body length under two inches) out of my house more than mature ones because the little guys can squeeze under the door.

[SallyMander]

8. I think your adorable visitor is a juvenile alligator lizard

Hard to say what type exactly without seeing it and/or knowing where you are exactly...

MANY good pics here! :D http://www.californiaherps.com/lizards/lizards.html

[Fire Walk With Me]

9. Thanks Sally!

I'm in LA, and that pic looks pretty darn close. Thanks!

Edit: Should I attempt to take care of it myself, or return it to the great outdoors?

[XemaSab]

10. Return it to the great outdoors

:)

[SallyMander]

11. The Southern alligator lizard apparently has 3 subspecies

But it looks like you'd have the San Diego Southern alligator lizard (green)



http://www.californiaherps.com/lizards/lizardsmaps.html


Happy to help! :D


BTW, i think he'll probably be fine if you release him -- most reptiles have very good homing instincts. But if you want to wait until morning i'm sure he'd appreciate a night in a warm house. :hi:

[Fire Walk With Me]

12. Thanks Sally and Xema. I'll let it go tomorrow morning.