Oh yes. It is a Spiny Lizard of the genus Sceloporus. From Eastern NC, that would be an Eastern Fence Lizard, Sceloporus undulatus. People think that they are venomous due to the bright colors on their bellies (blue to teal, true Carolinians), but there are only two venomous lizards in the world, those being the Mexican Beaded Lizard of Mexico, and the Gila Monster, of the SE United States and Northern Mexico. Also see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_fence_lizard Here is a link that might be useful: Eastern Fence Lizard

susan- i'm afraid moving the oven might accidently squash the lizard -though if you really don't want it in there, i guess you have to take the chance. i'm thinking it will have to come out on its own when it has no food and it may already be gone. they aren't scary really, won't hurt you, and are great for keeping bugs out of your house. in some tropical countries they are allowed to live in houses for just that reason. by the way, they feel cool and dry, not wet and slimy. i raised some of them long ago and they even have personalities! maybe blowing under the stove with the reverse end of a vacuum cleaner tube would scare it out (if its still there.)

Does it look like any of these guys: http://www.californiaherps.com/salamanders/salamanderspics.html They are poisonous yes, but as long as you don't try to catch one and lick it there's no harm in having them around. They're skittish and avoid people. In fact, folks who keep salamanders as pets often stress how important it is to *not* touch them, because the oils and salts on our skin is very dangerous to them. In any case, it's a good idea kids understand the need to respect wildlife and to wash hands thoroughly before eating or rubbing their eyes.

I gotcha. So basically treat it like it was a carnosa? I do not have any other australis, since they all like to climb and I am out of room for one that can ramble. Fungii is starting over, so I'll have her to deal with at some point (but she's one of my favorites). I do like the flowers on them. I've had ssp. tenuipes before, but they always failed on me for one reason or another (probably overwatered them). Brad AKA Moonwolf