User:J C Laird/Steppe Runner Lizard

Steppe Runner Lizard ...

Article contents
The following paragraphs were taken from another section of Wiki describing the content of a good article. I have (hopefully) listed this in my own draft section before submitting it for consideration of becoming an actual Wiki article. I just created an account about 5 minutes ago so I am very much in learning mode right now. My plan is to give you an outline of the types of information I would like this article to have, and edit to add information as I can.

The lack of information out there on Steppe Runner Lizards (Eremias - Arguta) is what led me down this Wiki article path. I understand these are fairly new to the pet trade, so I suppose that is why. However the survival of lizards in captivity depend so much on species, I really think gradually building an encyclopedic reference on at least the most popular pet lizards (with much assistance from other experts of course) would be valued by both serious herpetoculturalists as well as the average hobbyist. I bought my pet Steppe Runner two months ago and have been searching for information ever since. PetSmart didn't even have a care brochure printed up yet, so I got sent home with copies of the papers the breeder sent!

I will include a book reference I bought a few days ago and a couple of links I have found so far. But again, these do not contain much of the specific information I am looking for.

The following items are desirable for articles of all levels, although the detail will vary depending on several factors. These items do not need to be separated into distinct sections; text should flow in continuous prose so far as possible. The order this information is included is also relatively unimportant, although the order listed is generally preferred.


 * Description (physical, behavioral characteristics) - what makes this (group of) critter(s) different from its close relatives? Temperament toward handling. Expected youth to adult sizes.  Expected life spans (feral vs captive.) Include pictures of both male and female lizards with information on how to tell the difference (if possible).


 * Origin - In what regions of the world is the lizard found naturally? What are the environmental characteristics primary place of origin? How broadly does it roam? Map images help.


 * Cultural, Religious, Economic, etc. importance - what impact has it had on humans? Include here use for experimental purposes that do not relate to other headings.  I doubt this will be very useful given the subject but will leave it here for now.


 * Classification - How does it fit into the tree of life? (...eremias - arguta).


 * Creating Vivaria - Proper enclosure, substrate, heating and lighting, humidity, landscape design.


 * Maintaining Vivaria - Empty vivaria of landscape materials and rake sand to remove waste once per week, completely replace substrate and rinse landscape materials in warm water once per month.


 * Feeding - Which varied diet is right for your species of lizard, how to prepare insects prior to feeding, how to store insects, how often and how much to feed your lizard, feeding techniques (to minimize escapes, hiding in landscape features, etc, water requirements and methods of water delivery. Explain what types of vitamin may be required based on the primary diet and vivaria conditions.


 * Breeding, Egg Laying. Hatch-ling Care - Appropriate vivaria environment to entice breeding, egg gestation periods, egg laying vivaria requirements, egg incubation, hatch-ling care.


 * Lizard Maintenance - Why and how often do the lizards shed? How and when a lizard should be examined by the owner to look for any common issues such as mites or bites from insects.  Observations of normal behavior for your lizard so that it is easier to detect when something isn't right.


 * Diseases and Disorders - How to recognize and what to do about certain health issues such as parasites, skin diseases, shedding disorders, Metabolic Bone Disease, Calcium Deficiency, injuries, swellings and lumps, respiratory infection, weight loss, etc.