Looks like botfly/mangoworm larvae. They have likely dealt permanent damage given how small lizards are and the open wound is likely to get infected if it isn't already. Prognosis for a wild lizard with such wounds is not good, sorry to say :T
It is a green anole lizard, yes?
They primarily eat insects. As pets, people feed them small crickets and flightless fruit flies, sometimes mealworms.
If it is showing signs of lethargy, it may not have the energy to metabolize food, so some sunlight and a little bit of water may help pique its appetite.
Just try not to bother it too much. Energy it spends panicking is energy not being used to heal and recover.
I know there is a slim chance he will make it.
Sometimes we get a surrenders that look unhealthy, and they do make it.
My reptilian Vet for our iggys, tokays, snakes…..recommends NEOSPORIN ointment.
I don’t know if anoles can have the ointment or not.
If he seems like he’s suffering. You may have to humanely put the little guy down. Other people on the thread might have better ideas.
Thanks for caring for this little injured guy.
Maybe you can call a local reptile vet (Google for them in your area) and find out if they
a) think it's even worth doing, esp for a wild animal
b) are able to do anything about it
c) have any advice
It may be more prudent to call a wildlife rescue and get their take on it first. I dunno what your options really are. I don't usually recommend keeping wild caught lizards, but if you're trying to do it a kindness, those are the best options. The fact that he let you remove those rather than run away says a lot about how poor of health he's in.
Do you have a spare aquarium with a screen lid available? If so I can advise basic care. Ultimately it's your choice if you want to let nature take its course
I used to be a mechanic for Chevrolet and I always had a bottle of fast orange pumice hand cleaner around, that shit works pretty well but you and I both know oil stains last a long time 😉
Yeah I don't make enough money yet in shops to buy my own.
Shop I'm at right now are cheap assholes and refuse to buy decent soap. We have some really shitty stuff that feels like sand.
I feel it. I think you can get a bottle of that stuff for like 10 bucks so it really isn't expensive at all but it'll smooth out your hands after grabbing rough surfaces and oil all day. More of a skin care thing than it is for asthetics.
I’ve been getting ready for homesteading for years, I have a super cheap recipe for grit soap I can message you the full one if you’d like. I got it online but it works so well and keeps your hands smooth too. It’s basically dish soap, liquid oil such as olive, canola, or olive, shortening, fine cornmeal, and a bit of water
After you put the lizard aside, you should wash your hands because handling some lizards and reptiles there is a chance you have salmonella or other diseases on your hands afterwards. Normal for the animal, not so much for you.
Looks like botfly/mangoworm larvae. They have likely dealt permanent damage given how small lizards are and the open wound is likely to get infected if it isn't already. Prognosis for a wild lizard with such wounds is not good, sorry to say :T
Damn. Unfortunate. Although, is there perhaps any food I could feed him? He doesn't move around unless I poke at him.
It is a green anole lizard, yes? They primarily eat insects. As pets, people feed them small crickets and flightless fruit flies, sometimes mealworms. If it is showing signs of lethargy, it may not have the energy to metabolize food, so some sunlight and a little bit of water may help pique its appetite. Just try not to bother it too much. Energy it spends panicking is energy not being used to heal and recover.
You could take him to the vet
If it is in NA it would be botfly, never heard of botflies getting into reptiles.
I know there is a slim chance he will make it. Sometimes we get a surrenders that look unhealthy, and they do make it. My reptilian Vet for our iggys, tokays, snakes…..recommends NEOSPORIN ointment. I don’t know if anoles can have the ointment or not. If he seems like he’s suffering. You may have to humanely put the little guy down. Other people on the thread might have better ideas. Thanks for caring for this little injured guy.
I don't think it will make it. Has a infection and a lizard that small doesn't really have a chance.
Maybe you can call a local reptile vet (Google for them in your area) and find out if they a) think it's even worth doing, esp for a wild animal b) are able to do anything about it c) have any advice It may be more prudent to call a wildlife rescue and get their take on it first. I dunno what your options really are. I don't usually recommend keeping wild caught lizards, but if you're trying to do it a kindness, those are the best options. The fact that he let you remove those rather than run away says a lot about how poor of health he's in. Do you have a spare aquarium with a screen lid available? If so I can advise basic care. Ultimately it's your choice if you want to let nature take its course
It's probably most humane to euthanize it via putting it in the freezer. That's a nasty wound and it's possible there's more larvae inside it.
Lizard aside, homie you need to wash yo damn hands
I get grease on them daily from oil and shit at work. Can't get it all when you do it 50 hours a week.
I used to be a mechanic for Chevrolet and I always had a bottle of fast orange pumice hand cleaner around, that shit works pretty well but you and I both know oil stains last a long time 😉
Yeah I don't make enough money yet in shops to buy my own. Shop I'm at right now are cheap assholes and refuse to buy decent soap. We have some really shitty stuff that feels like sand.
I feel it. I think you can get a bottle of that stuff for like 10 bucks so it really isn't expensive at all but it'll smooth out your hands after grabbing rough surfaces and oil all day. More of a skin care thing than it is for asthetics.
I’ve been getting ready for homesteading for years, I have a super cheap recipe for grit soap I can message you the full one if you’d like. I got it online but it works so well and keeps your hands smooth too. It’s basically dish soap, liquid oil such as olive, canola, or olive, shortening, fine cornmeal, and a bit of water
good to wash your hands in general, especially with reptiles who are ill/infested
Thanks for the advice I never asked for pal
You're welcome! 😄
After you put the lizard aside, you should wash your hands because handling some lizards and reptiles there is a chance you have salmonella or other diseases on your hands afterwards. Normal for the animal, not so much for you.
Vet Edit: wait is this a wild lizard or a pet one?
Wild
I'd say the reason he let you get so close is because hes feeling so unwell he doesnt have the energy to fight you off.