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 #1679271


Ultrakd
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 Where can I Find Them?

I was wondering where I caould find some Aligator Lizards? I live in Florida. Also I was wondering if you guys could knida give me a quick care guide what they need how hard they are to care for, stuff like that. Another question I had was do they mind being handled onec in a while? Please respond, THanks
03/28/08  01:33pm

 #1679760


PrinceSushi
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   Message To: Ultrakd   In reference to Message Id: 1679271


 Where can I Find Them?

Most are only found in California, Oregon and Texas. There are others found outside the country though; however, those species tend to only be in private facilities or zoos.

If your looking for a northern or southern California alligator lizard you will have to first check your state laws. If you are allowed to bring one into the state you then have to contact California’s Department of Fish and Game to get an out of state sports fishing license. Then drive or fly to California and spend a few days herping. Hopefully you will run across one. The best time to hunt allies is July-August.

They are illegal to sell so buying one is out of the question unless you want California DFG officers at your door.I was recently told that you also aren’t allowed to sell Texas alligator lizards.

Here is a care sheet.
http://www.repticzone.com/caresheets/367.html

They bite. They are aggressive and DO NOT like being handled. Yes, you can hold them and yes they may not run but they do not like it. It stresses them out. Its in the instincts to be mean and to stay away from larger creatures. Even the calmest alligator lizard should present its teeth if its healthy and your husbandry is correct. If stressed enough they drop their tail (quite common) so you have to be really careful.

I used to handle mine quite a bit but I noticed he wasn’t doing well(got too stressed). Now that I only hold him once a month he is growing and eating like a pig. Sure he may not be like my bearded dragon but at least he is happy and actually acts like an alligator lizard should.



03/28/08  08:29pm

 #1679911


Aliceinwl
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   Message To: PrinceSushi   In reference to Message Id: 1679760


 Where can I Find Them?

There is a pretty good care sheet in the Care Sheet section. There are also lots of posts asking for care advice, how to set-up tank, how to deal with health problems etc. I’d suggest spending a few hours, if you’re really serious, reading through these posts. Then, if you have specific questions, post them.

In terms of temperament, captive bred or captive hatched alligator lizards that have been subject to regular handling or interaction, can make great tempered pets. I’ve hatched out both southerns and madreans and there is a world of difference between the babies and the parents. With consistent handling, most adults will also tame down. But, if you end up with a lizard like Sushi’s you’ll have to be willing to do what’s in the best interest of the lizard.

I’ve seen wild caught northerns show up sporadically on the lizards classifieds at kingsnake.com . There are also a few individuals breeding Texas alligator lizards and I’ve seen these on the classifieds, albeit infrequently, as well. Once in a blue moon a madrean is offered, and I once saw southerns offered that had been collected in Nevada (there’s a introduced population in the Las Vegas area). A few years ago there was a species of Barisia imported and offered for sale too. You can also check: http://www.gherp.com/lizards.htm as I’ve seen them offer captive bred Texas als with some regularity during the summer.

Before buying, you should look at the range map of the species you’re considering (especially for wild caught), and inform yourself on the regulations. For example, California, Oregon and Washington all prohibit the sale on native reptiles so southerns and northerns from these states would be illegal to sell and to buy. I’m not sure about Oregon and Washington, but cb native als from California would also be illegal buy/sell. I’m pretty sure madreans can’t be sold in/from Arizona or New Mexico where they are native.
03/28/08  10:10pm

 #1681191


Albinoboy29
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   Message To: Aliceinwl   In reference to Message Id: 1679911


 Where can I Find Them?

Okay so my alligator lizard was born in captivity, sorta. My friend moved into a new house that had a huge ravine and big backyard,, and they found tons of alligator lizards. They got 3 one day just to keep for a night or so. And they next morning there were eggs.They really didnt want to relese the babies because they knew they would just get eaten. Yea pretty cool. so I asked if I could have one and I did. Shortly after I got a second one. But the second one was a runt and wouldnt eat anything. He died :(. But I still have my original which is like 7 inches(hes grown a ton)....But anyways sometime next year I would like to breed mine. I live in Washington, and I dont want to go and look for one at my friends house. I have a female nw alligator lizard (huge difference in loomand size form southern)...So I was wondering is there anywhere specific i should look?



03/29/08  08:22pm

 #1681464


Reedie
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   Message To: Albinoboy29   In reference to Message Id: 1681191


 Where can I Find Them?

Guys, this kid goes by almost every forum asking this kind of stuff. He’s obviously not interested in any lizards.

Troll!!!

-Reed
03/29/08  10:48pm

 #1681501


Thethieflord777
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   Message To: Aliceinwl   In reference to Message Id: 1679911


 Where can I Find Them?

will the cops arrest me of i dont have the CA fishing liscnse? Its only a lizard!
03/29/08  11:06pm

 #1681595


Aliceinwl
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   Message To: Thethieflord777   In reference to Message Id: 1681501


 Where can I Find Them?

The fishing license is like a take license. You don’t need one to possess the lizard, but you do need it to catch the lizard. If you were caught in the field with a herp in your possession, by a warden, without a fishing license, you could be fined/ticketed. You also can not exceed the possession limit of 2 in California.
03/29/08  11:58pm

 #1681666


PrinceSushi
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   Message To: Thethieflord777   In reference to Message Id: 1681501


 Where can I Find Them?

Even though the licence is for actually taking the herps from the field they can still check to see if you’ve ever owned one. You shouldn’t have a native reptile unless you have bought a field licence once or you are prepared to tell DFG officers exactly were it came from.

If you are illegally collecting herps in the field you could be told to leave and never come back or you could be arrested.It depends on the officer you run across.

So what if its a lizard? Thats like saying cocaine should be legal because its just a drug. Unlike states like Florida and Texas, California really keeps an eye on their herps and native animals. California has one of the top diversities of animals located in one state and I’m sure we intend to maintain that. If one person is allowed to pick up a lizard, then whats going to stop the people who intend to come and mass collect to sell? Think before you run your mouth.

Albinoboy29- You need a Washington state breeders licence in order to legally breed them and depending on what is specified the babies will have to be re homed or handed over to fish and game upon a certain age.
03/30/08  12:54am

 #1681679


Albinoboy29
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   Message To: PrinceSushi   In reference to Message Id: 1681666


 Where can I Find Them?

O okay thanks.
03/30/08  01:21am

 #1681872


Thethieflord777
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   Message To: Albinoboy29   In reference to Message Id: 1681679


 Where can I Find Them?

o, i see, but i caught it in my backyard, is that ok?
03/30/08  11:08am

 #1682532


PrinceSushi
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   Message To: Thethieflord777   In reference to Message Id: 1681872


 Where can I Find Them?

Well, the license is for collecting animals in California, there are no special remarks about private or public land. So technically you DO need one. However, don’t worry about getting in trouble because you caught a lizard in your backyard. Even though I personally feel the laws should be followed, I believe people should be allowed to capture un-protected species on their own (private) property as long as you are being mindful of the bag limit(its always 2 unless noted in the California DFG handbook).

Even with that said, a sport fishing license isn’t that expensive for 1 year. Its about $40 and if you do decided you wanted to herp in public, you won’t have anything to worry about. I also believe there is no age restriction on who can get a sports fishing license.

If you do come across a protected species or a reptile you can’t identify and you want it off your property or its in a dangerous spot(freeway) contact fish and game immediately. They can re-locate it immediately with no problems.
03/30/08  07:12pm


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