E. Collard Lizard

Well I had a male ECL come into rehab yesterday with paralysis. I found him in the road at the park and I think maybe a roadrunner had him and was scared off by an employee going to our lower campground (at the time I thought he had been HBC). I did ICU care but he died overnight . I have him in the freezer until I can post him and hopefully determine COD. I was hopeful last night since he got a little fiesty and appreciated some hydration. I called Larry to see if there were any supplements, etc. I might use to get some energy in him since I didn't have access to any insect feeders. I have done wildlife rehab for a long time but it took some wind out of my sail watching his bright colors turn brown. As always though, I can at least say I tried.

Tandy

Yep you did and a good one at that.

Sounds like with the friskiness that it was either the lizard or God saying Thank You! Sometimes they are just too far gone and I've seen this last energy several times when we bred puppies. I believe it's either the animal or God, whatever, you believe saying Ty for making me feel loved while I was here but I have to go. I've always had another belief I'll share. I've always believed cats and dogs in particular, before I got into reptiles, were the eyes of God. How you treated a domesticated animal that has nothing but love in the heart for you says a lot of your real character. Ty for trying so hard Tandy!

Thanks guys. I've lost a lot of animals over the years but some just seem to pull at your heart strings harder than others. Although I hate wildlife/vehicle encounters in general, it's much easier for me to see a raccoon or deer HBC than a reptile or amphib. It's odd to seem to value one life more than another even on an almost subconscious level, but I think it before I even realize it. Oddly enough too, I don't think twice about bow hunting for deer or feral hogs , but I couldn't shoot a quail even though all are edible and good. Go figure.


Tandy

Yeah I'm the same way . I can shoot deer and be okay but when I see people shooting turtles out of a pond or killing a harmless snake it bothers me. I don't think its wrong for us to value one thing over the other more I just think we are all human. I've often wondered though why I am like that too.

tandy wrote:Oddly enough too, I don't think twice about bow hunting for deer or feral hogs , but I couldn't shoot a quail even though all are edible and good. Go figure. Tandy

I'm sure that understand that killing a dear or feral hog during hunting season keeps the population in check. If left unchecked, the populations would go through the roof and many animals would die of hunger and disease. And you use and eat what you shoot. Nothing goes to waste. That's what hunting is for. It helps the animal population as a whole - Keeps the population healthy and within food limits. Many people against hunting just don't understand this and believe we are just yahoos with our guns.

However, I remember the first time I was introduced to hunting as a young boy and my cousins and some much older relatives we were visiting took me out into their land in the truck bed with a rifle. We found a rabbit hiding and they prodded me to shoot it. I aimed and shot it through the midsection. I was proud of my shot. Then they left it to die slowly and drove back to the house. I was disgusted and ashamed of myself after that. If you are gonna shoot one of gods creatures, at least do it for a good reason and put the animal to use for food and skins. That day leaves a disgusting mark on me to this day.

If you shoot something just for fun (no good reason) and leave its body to suffer in pain or rot, I have no use for you. Just MO.

Back to the point, I sincerely applaud your efforts to help injured animals/reptiles. If you need any help, please let me know. You can aount me out on the venomous snakes though!

Thanks. I am not a trophy hunter either. I hunt to put meat in the freezer and I am proud of my husband's hunting ethics too. He has hunted (mainly archery) for years and years and mainly hunts for meat but will definitely take a nice buck if the opportunity arises. He has on several occasions filled a deer tag with a sick or injured animal. I enjoy archery because a person has to be a better hunter to be a successful bow hunter. Having to get in to 30-40 or so yards versus several hundred yards adds a challenge. Sometimes people are shocked when they find out that I am an animal lover and rescuer and a hunter.

Tandy