Injured Burtons Legless Lizard

[salebrosus]

Hey Guys,

Driving home last night i swerved to avoid something snake-like and brown on the road. I ran back to grab it but as i shined the torch on it the next car that came through and hit it. I realised it was a Brtons Legless Lizard and as i bent over to pick up the animal i realised it was very much alive and squealing. It dropped a small amount of its tail but there was a considerable amount of body that was mangled. I put it in a container last night (Before anyone questions yes i am licenced to do this) and when i went to check on it, i found it had dropped that part too.

I've never kept Burtons before but i am curious to know from other Burtons keepers and anyone who may have dealt with injured wildlife like this,....
1. Is this Burtons gravid?
2. Does it appear from any photos that this animal may be suffering from internal bleeding. The colouration on the belly is not something i have seen with Burtons before.

Cheers for any info guys.

 

[Rocket]

It should be alright provided the upper half of the body is uninjured. Was it only the dismembered part of the tail that was severely injured or has the body suffered open wounds aswell?

I hope it comes through alright.

 

[salebrosus]

It was only the lower half of the body that was mangled. There was a slight cut on the body and that is where it has dropped the rest of its tail. It appears it has dropped the ntire tailbut i am concerned by the pinkish colouration under its belly. Apart from no tail, you wouldn't suspect it had been hit at all, no marks at all but it is the colouration that bothers me and i am wondering if the pressure of the tail being run over has caused some internal damage to the lizard. I am wondering if it is gravid as it seems quite chunky around that area.

It made me nearly sick listening to it squealing when i pulled it over the road.

 

[Jonno from ERD]

G'day Simone,

She's almost definitely gravid. I have seen several wild Burtons with nearly all of their tail missing so they seem to do OK without it...plus they'll regenerate it over time anyway.

Good luck.

 

[salebrosus]

Thanks Jonno Much appreciated. Think its ok to release her now?

 

[Tatelina]

Gawd that would make me furious...seeing a car right in front of me run over an animal. >_<

 

[salebrosus]

Yes Tatelina, but i was more mad at myself for not running and grabbing it quick enough. Luckily for this now free animal, she has only lost her tail and not her life