Looks like a red back Salamander. It is an amphibian, not a lizard
I wouldn't try keeping it, they need a moist terrarium( don't put it in water, it cannot swim well at all). And they eat tiny bugs. I keep some salamanders and i have to mist them everyday and buy special food for them.
A salamander? That's weird. No water anywhere nearby, but I do water the small patch grass in my backyard everyday. He was keeping nice and moist under a patch of dead sod. I think I'll put him back where I found him....I'd feel bad if he died in my care. I really don't know how to take care of a salamander.
I put him back under the sod where I found him last weekend. I looked for him the next day, but did not see him. It's a mystery as to where he came from, I guess. It's usually very dry around where I live.... creeks are scarce. Although it had been unusually rainy and wet this spring. Our backyard had flooded. I hope the little guy made it OK.
As long as he finds moisture, he will be fine
I grew up in CA and found them all the time under rocks and boards. Sometimes no where near ponds or creeks. That particular salamander is terrestrial and not aquatic.