Visitor hitched a ride

[Nancy_B]

Just returned from 14 glorious days in St. John! It was so great meeting so many of you at the Beach Bar on the 11th!

I just unpacked my back and low and behold, I had a hitch-hiker! A very cute and small gecko/lizard was in my bag. Any advice on what to do with him? I know the obvious is to hop on a plane and return him to St. John but I can't do that.

Help!!!

[waterguy]

Do you have a zoo close by. or you could take it to a school

[VayCay]

looks like you found yourself a hobby to keep you reminded of STJ...Purchas a small terrarium, and some crickets! yah

[California Girl]

I'd also try to set up a little home for him, if you can keep the climate warm & humid enough for him!

[snorkeler525]

Go to your local pet shop and get their advice. Small glass aquarium, light for heat, small water dish, some stuff to climb, crickets to eat.

[Nancy_B]

Thanks, all! We have him in a hermit crab hut right now that we improvised with - we were at our beach house at the jersey shore and that was the best we could do. We've transported him home to Philly and he is under a light until we can get to the aquarium store later today.

We are still amazed that he survived the journey! He made it thru the ferry, taxi and flight. He then lived in my suitcase or backpack for 2 days before I found him yesterday.

Our 7-year old friend's daughter who was with us caught a small lizard on her first and last day - we are joking that it liked her and came along.

We'll see how he/she does. We are calling it Liz Ard - this is what the 7 year old called hers.

[jmq]

It got exposed to a huge dose of radiation going thru the Xray machines so maybe it will mutate into Godzilla size and will stomp down the beach at the Jersey shore eating any and all shoebies in its path!

[jimg20]

I don't think the radiation will affect him/her, but the offspring will be monsters with an attitude.

JIM

[rebelbeachgirl]

LOVE the name! Photo please...

[alw1977]

Yes, you can definitely add this little dude to the "Show Your Pet" thread in the off topic forum.

[liamsaunt]

That is so cute! I am glad you are keeping him. I brought some wildlife back from St. John too, but it was an icky big palmetto bug thing.

[suzi]

better a leetle leezerd than a scorpion!!!!!

[martini girl]

hey Becky - did you know that an icky palmetto bug is really an American cockroach???

I found that out after I squashed one in STT that was so big you could fly to STJ on it! Everyone in my group (the ladies, that is) kept calling it a palmetto bug. Later on at home, when I googled it, the very first Wikipedia entry says "the American cockroach". Yuk. I'm a wuss when it comes to insects and rodents.

[Eric in NJ]

I remember eating breakfast at Brennan's in New Orleans once. My friend and I were sitting at our table when this "BUG" dropped from the ceiling and ran across the floor. Now this thing looked like it was big enough to throw a saddle on it. I asked the waiter what the Hell was that and his reply was " that thar is a cockaroach" I'll never for get that

[Nancy_B]

Quick update: Liz was fed about 6 crickets last night. Tiny little thing that she was - she was starving! We were also instructed by the pet store to give her baby food. They said that she is very small and told us she'll grow to about 10 inches. She's still living in her hermit hut (she loves hanging in the mini palm tree) and we'll upgrade her when she is bigger. I'm working on a picture So, looks like we have a new pet. We're keeping her away from our 2 cats and our dog. Much better pet than an American Cockroach - yuck (sorry, Becky!)