Lorraine Labossiere, age 13, of Somerset, Manitoba, Canada, for her question:

How do you care for a captive lizard?

Lorraine's lizard played a role in a science project. The problem was to provide the best of care during his tour of duty. This sort of problebi often arises during the science fair season. Frogs and fishes, rats and rabbits and all sorts of other animals are required to help in the demonstrations. It would be nice if they always came with directions for their proper care and feeding. This would be easier for science students     and a lot less risky for their temporary animal assistants.

There are some 3,000 species of lizard known to science     and each species has a few particular preferences of his own. In some cases, the requirements are extremely different. For example, a few species are vegetarians and several others need mixed menus with helpings of certain plant food. Obviously it is easier to plan his diet when we know exactly who he is     and a lot less risky for the lizard.

We cannot be sure which lizard species Lorraine selected to demonstrate her science project. This means that a great deal of time and patience must be devoted to watching for signs that some part of his environment may not suit him. Of course, he must be provided with a terrarium that has a controlled atmosphere of the right temperature and humidity. He needs direct sunlight for several hours a day, plus some rocks and a secluded area where plants provide suitable shade.

His liquid nourishment should be no problem. Unless he is a rare marine lizard, he does not care to dunk or drink from a dish. Sprinkle water on the foliage in his terrarium and he will sip the drops as needed. Naturally you will consult all possible reference material to learn his species     plus his dietary requirements. However, if all else fails, he may be able to give you a few hints.

Chances are, this dear little fellow is one of the many common lizards of North America. If this is so, chances are he is a meat eater. As a rule, even a simple little lizard knows enough to refuse foods that disagree with him. If offered a variety of items, he may select the suitable ones for himself. However, please remem¬ber that he may be desperately hungry and confused. Under pressures of this sort he is not likely to be the best judge of a balanced diet for himself.

It is fairly safe to offer him flies and meal worms. A pet shop may suggest types of packaged foods, though be sure to vary his menu. If things go very well, he may learn to accept raw hamburger and bits of egg. In summer, he will be very grateful to get a few crickets and grasshoppers.

Let's not forget that a lizard cannot abide the cold. In his natural environment he sinks into deep hibernation long before the first snows. This is how Lorraine's lizard would cope with the winter in Winnipeg. He can remain awake, though maybe not very peppy, through the winter because his terrarium provides a summery climate.