Worried about wild lizards

[MamatoElvis]

I'm looking into building a large outdoor enclosure. I'd like to do it with hardware cloth because it is going to be inside my pool cage (Florida people will understand) and I don't want to block out more UVB. What do all the Florida people do about the small wild lizards. My guy will stalk them from inside his reptibreeze when we are outside. I don't have any doubt he would gladly eat one. If I do my enclosure in hardware cloth they will be able to go in and out of his enclosure. I'm worried about the high parasite load if he were to eat one. Any suggestions?

 

[Chase]

I wouldn't worry at all. Captive produced feeders carry parasites all the time and no one bats an eye. Plus all the bugs that he'll get too will be good for him too. Just do regular fecals, and if he gets anything you'll find it and will be able to treat it.

Chase

 

[MamatoElvis]

Yes, Ive done the wild insects for awhile. I do get regular fecals. I just figured the lizards would be loaded.

 

[Chase]

Yes, Ive done the wild insects for awhile. I do get regular fecals. I just figured the lizards would be loaded.

Not anymore than a wild insect

Chase

 

[jannb]

My vets say the outside lizards are loaded and recommend fecals every 3 to 4 months. My guys also have hardware cloth enclosures for some outside time except my female. I have to put her in screen because she would be a fat little pig if I allowed her to eat everything that made it into her enclosure. Some of my boys ignore the outside lizards and I have seen others eat them.

 

[MamatoElvis]

Ok, I'm not going to worry about it if you guys don't. Thanks for the quick response.

 

[JoeVet]

They eat small lizards in the wild so it would be natural to feed them small anoles and geckos. They are a good source of vitamin A, protein and calcium. Yes they can carry more parasites so at the first sign of diarrhea a fecal check would be advisable.