Lizards, whether kept as pets or found in the wild, excrete waste that can pose health concerns for humans. Reptiles naturally harbor bacteria in their digestive systems that are shed into the environment through droppings. Understanding the specific risks and adopting proper hygiene practices makes managing these encounters straightforward.
Primary Health Concerns
The primary health risk associated with lizard droppings is bacterial infection, specifically Salmonellosis. Most reptiles naturally carry Salmonella bacteria within their intestinal tract without showing signs of illness. These bacteria are passed out with the feces, contaminating the lizard’s body, its enclosure, and any surfaces it touches.
Infection occurs through the fecal-oral route, typically when a person handles the lizard or contaminated surfaces and then touches their mouth or food without first washing their hands. The bacteria can survive in the environment for an extended period, meaning direct contact with the reptile is not always necessary for transmission. Symptoms of Salmonellosis in humans generally appear one to three days after exposure and include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fever, and vomiting.
Certain groups face a higher likelihood of developing severe illness from Salmonella infection. This includes children under five years old, elderly persons, and individuals with compromised immune systems. For these vulnerable populations, the infection can become severe and sometimes fatal. Households with young children are often advised to avoid keeping pet reptiles.
Identifying Lizard Droppings
Lizard feces are distinct because they typically consist of two parts expelled through the cloaca. The dropping is composed of a dark, oblong fecal pellet and an attached white cap or tip.
This white part is crystallized uric acid, which is the lizard’s concentrated equivalent of urine. Lizards are highly efficient at retaining water, which is why their nitrogenous waste is excreted as a solid white paste rather than liquid urine. The size of the dropping varies greatly depending on the species; small house geckos produce droppings that are usually no more than a quarter-inch long. These droppings are frequently discovered in corners, on ledges, or within pet enclosures.
Safe Cleanup and Prevention
Cleaning lizard droppings requires specific steps to prevent spreading bacteria. Before starting, ventilate the area for at least 30 minutes by opening windows and doors. Personal protective equipment, such as disposable gloves, should always be worn during the cleanup process.
The contaminated area must first be sprayed with a disinfectant solution to prevent the release of airborne particles. A common and effective solution is a mixture of one part household bleach to nine or ten parts water. This solution should be allowed to soak the droppings for at least five minutes to ensure disinfection. The moistened droppings can then be scooped up with a paper towel and double-bagged for disposal.
Proper hygiene must follow the removal of the waste, including thoroughly washing hands with soap and water after the gloves are removed. For pet owners, prevention involves maintaining a clean habitat, frequently disinfecting the enclosure with the diluted bleach solution, and keeping the pet out of areas where food is prepared. Homeowners dealing with wild lizards can prevent contamination by sealing entry points that the reptiles use to access the interior of the house.