Reptile & Amphibian Forums

That's all i could manage. I should have brought a net. I heard about the problem and figured I'd do my very small part.
They are very hard to catch on that island. Much more so than on Biscane. The problem is that there are trash piles and burrows, and rock piles everywhere. When they climb up a tree, it's easy to sneak up behind them, but these iguanas have no need to do so. They just dive in a burrow. I caught a very young iguana with a small hint of green coloration left that was about 9 in. and a subadult that is about 1.5ft and has half of his tail regenerated.
I got some dirty looks poking around for iguanas but it was well worth it. I suppose even into old age, many people by in to peer pressure and look down upon any actions that are not common pass times as being childish. However, one person did threaten me after I asked if I could help them. They stood there just staring at me from their car for about five minutes. I waved in case they were worried if i was hurt. Five more minutes later (no exaduration) they were still there so i asked them if i could help them. The man in the drivers seat threatened me, but i returned the favor and he drove away. LOL.
Anyway, It was a fun trip. I saw what was probablythe record for size in spiny tailed iguanas. A very large iguana with bars on its side about 3 in. wide and many iguanas all over the place.
I will post pics of the iguanas asap.

God! I hate those people that stare at you when your herping. Like your a crazy person for chasing lizards. I dont worry about them though. They dont know what they are missing. They are deprived really. Take pitty on them. Silly fools. Joking aside. Im excited to hear you caught some spinys, im planning a trip myself in june. What color phases did you see?
Jason

I try to have pitty, but they're soooo annoying lol.
I saw a lot of bright orange spinytails. All the others were pretty much normal. One of the ones I caught has a hint of blue. I didn't see any all black or black and white or bright yellow ones.
If you're going, bring a big net and a strong snair, cause most of the time, theyre less than a few feet from a burrow. I caught one by myself by reaching around a tree. I caught the other by cornering it in a team effort. If you can bring another person, you should. It is a lot of help.
Also, I saw a few gopher tortoises there. If you want to see some of those, gasparilla is the perfect place.

Annoying yes, but it is worth engaging them if they are there watching. After all these are the people that will potentially be voting on whether or not you can keep reptiles. Just dont scare them with the big, slimy, icky, lizard

I mass collect all sorts of non-native herps here in South Florida and I get people close to getting violent with me when I'm out there. They call the Cops, I get stopped, they check me out, and let me go on. I try to educate the public about non-native herps and how they compete with the native herp. Some (very few) realize what I'm telling them and sort-of go away half satisfied with my response and some just don't get it. Others are happy that I came along and "saved" them from the 6ft iguana, Cuban Anole, C.Similis, Pectinata, etc. that they claim have been terrorizing them.

Any way it sure is fun doing what you like best and for now is still legal.

Happy Herping.

Manny

That's a beautiful ctenesaur. Similis? If not, what species and where did you catch it?

That is a C. Pectinata. I catch all different phases, but it is the closest to a banana phase I've caught.

I caught this juvenile before that looked like it was going to be a light one too.

Manny

That is amazing. Too bad it won't keep that green coloration into adulthood. Where did you catch those?
I have also seen so brilliantly colored spiny tails on Key Biscane. One three fot male had a LOT of blue around it's dorsal area. I also saw some really orange/pink ones on gasparilla.

sorry, posted early.
...so anyway, I can't imagine a light spinytail like that with the coloration on some of the ones I've seen. It would be outrageous.

I'm not trying to be a jerk but it is usually understood that you don't ask collectors where they caught their animals. If you notice Manny did not answer the first time. This was probably on purpose. If they do answer it is usually in a private e-mail and only if they know and trust.

I will not disclose the exact location, but everybody that does a little research knows where the population exists. Of course I'd be jellous if I saw someone else collecting C. Pectinatas, but I can say, that if you thought it was hard to catch a Similis, you'll probably never catch a Pectinata. They are very elusive and most are protected by the owners of private property.

On another note, I have caught adult Pectinatas that have maintained a hunter green color. I've caught others that look like Zebras. You can see some of the individuals I have caught before in the Photo Gallery under the user name: Manny

I understand your not disclosing the location. I made a more elaborate responce to that under the post; "You'll hear no bashing from me"
I think I'm up for the challenge of pectinata. Not that I don't take what you said seriously, I just pride myself in being resourcefull and having quick hands. I just have to find some on public unprotected land. That is gonna be the hard part.
When you say some people protect them on their land, do you mean that they buy land as a kind of hands free breeding facility where nature does all the work or that the iguanas are just more common on private land because they are hunted less?

As is the case in most parts of Gaspirilla with the Similis, Many Pectinatas have made tier home in peoples patios. If the property owner does not give you permission to enter the property and collect them, then I say they are protecting them.
And believe me, they will not hesitate to call the cops and get you for tresspassing.

Good luck collecting.

Manny

Wow Manny, that is a beautiful pectinata, I wish I had one that looked like that!

Mark

I hear she has a twin.Lol

Any mating going on?

The females aroung here are Gravid.

around

Very nice animals! This forum has been dead lately. Thanks for the pics!!!

A big army of herpers that captures invasive herps. LOL. Imagine, not only would it help the ecosystem, but any "looky-loos" who decided they didnt like silly people who spend their time doing something like looking for lizards would have a lot of people to deal with if they want to start s#%$t. Just a funny idea, but fun to think about.
I know that people tend to get consumed in others' business, but getting violent because somone has a different pass time than you is infinately worse. I can handle myself, but I have friends who herp who are smaller and I'd hate to think of someone fighting them over a hobby. It's pretty sad.
Also, I just read a post below that said it was illegal to catch spiny tails on gasparilla. I was unaware of this. I can't imagine why they'd protect an invasive species. Could someone elaborate on this?

The reason they are protected on Gasparilla is because it is a State Park. They are also protected on other parks and there are other municipalities that have ordinances protecting every living thing within its city limit. They are trying so hard to protect the integrity of the rules for the native wildlife, and are caught up in the politics of government, that they ignore that we the herpers can help with the problem. I understand that they just can't let everybody go in there and tear up the place. Not everybody is conscious of leaving things as they were, but allowing a few to do the work correctly and without hurting them, would definitely control the populations.

Then you have the people that are against everybody, that don't want anybody to have pets nor like to see any animal in a cage or any type of enclosure. They can't stand the fact that an animal can be sold for profit, etc. These people put pressure on the government to "not disturb the exotics."

So you have a vicious circle. There is a growing problem. We don't want to kill them. They don't want us to have them so the problem doesn’t spread, and others make it look like it is a crime to disturb them at all. But the government continues to allow the selling of wild land for new homes and continues to eradicate the native wildlife while the lobbyists, the builders and the elected government officials get richer. Here in South Florida, they are allowing to build new numerous zero lot houses and giant Condos and they “ignored” how they were going to supply water and treat the sewage for the new influx of people that were going to move down here. Yes now they are going to drain the Everglades and increase the pollution of the oceans around us with the “treated wastewater.”
You'll never get rid of all the Exotics. We all (I)kinda like seeing them around although they should not be here, so call me a hypocrite. The government's way of controlling the populations is to have them destroyed and take away our right to keep pets. They look at them as a disease that can spread to other places. Although they have a valid argument about the spreading, there are better ways. I usually ship them to other locations where if they were to escape, they would not live through the Winter. Exportation to other Countries is also a solution, (for the United States.)

I have had the opportunity to get permission from someone who had the nads to let me go into Key Biscayne, and allow me to collect them there. I have caught thousands of common iguanas and hundreds of Similis. The Population (although still growing strong) is down significantly and not a single animal had to be directly killed. I know that not every animal I catch and ends up in captivity lives, but there are many that do end up living good lives in captivity, as some here on this forum can testify. It's funny, the first time I came on this forum I was slammed by some people for selling wild caught adult iguanas, while the Florida Game & Freshwater Fish Commission was out there collecting them and freezing them.
WHAT A MESS!
So there. Now I Guess I'll get bashed a little more. Have at it.

Manny

That was a very insightfull and true responce. I was unaware that most peopele need a permit to collect iggies in biscayne. Sorry about asking you where you catch your iguanas. I have no commercial experience.
I have a friend that is quite the commercial collecters. He works with quite a few people and being a friend of mine that I know in real life, he never hesitates to tell where he collects. So as you can see, I haven't got much credentials in Commercial herping ediquette.
After my last post, I did realize that I shouldn't be asking because I remembered him telling me of two friends of his. One of them would never tell where he caught a rare and expensive morph, and the other would blindfold him to and from his spot.
I tried not to bring it up. I was planning to just not ask again because some people might not understand and be upset that you might not want to share that information. Now that it has been brought up though, I am just clarifying a few things.

No problem, We live in a free country. Asking is free. I don't mind disclosing information and locations for certain species and I am very careful about any information given about other species that have limited populations.

E-mail me directly and I may give you some pointers on certain species.

Manny

Manny,

Keep doing what you are doing. Your work is to be applauded!
I'd rather see the Iggies you catch be sold to interested enthusiasts than frozen.
Oh yeah....... I still would like one or two female Pectinatas to go with my Yellow Male! LOL
Take care

Thanks for the support. I'll be working on them females this year for you. I just built a huge enclosure for my Cyclura and for establishing some colonies of select C. Pectinatas. I'm still working on the last phase. Two of the pectinat enclosures are equiped with a rock tower that has 3 caves each, easily accessible by doors to the chambers. I tried to replicate what I am seeing them them living in out here. I am very excited with the enclosures. It is almost like going to the zoo.Lol.
I have a pair in one of the enclosures now and they, although very secritive, seem to be adapting well.

The picture is of the cage when I started it.

I will get some new pics soon.

Manny

DAAAAAMMMMMMN!
Those enclosures are almost as big as my dog kennels!!!!
I wish I could keep my animals outside like that.
Nice set up!
I appreciate you looking for the females for me.
I hope you get your Pectinatas to reproduce! I'd like to see what comes out.
Yeah man, you are doing the animals a big service by helping them not hurting them and I support that big time!

Be careful out there!!!

I now these guys can eat alot native vegetation, but is there a certain threat they are posing on a specific plant species? I am sure they are enjoying a lot of the non native vegetation too. I know nothing on what impact they are having but I just dont like to see wildcaught adult spinytails available, they are in hell if kept captive, and they will show it with aggression and self distruction (inexperienced keepers add to this). Young animals are usually able to adapt, I think the adults should be left alone, they seem to be established and probably here to stay, they keep their population density controlled, they will not take over. KB

Herps have terrible Pr. When non-native ones cause any environmental disturbence, it makes it worse. Also, it is made worse when they eat out of peoples gardens. You and I would both put up with this gladly, I'm sure. However, a lot of people are snotty and ignorant (Nice scientific terminology, huh?). This is just another excuse for them.
Also, I have heard many stories that I don't want to. Whenever I tell someone about my interest in herps, they always tell their story of the feroscious reptile that they or one of their friends/family members valiantly killed and/or tortured. The stories are only more grotesque for non-native species, large species, and especially species that ruin someone's garden or eat their pet rodents.

The Spinney Tails do more damage than greens. Spinneys eat birds and anything else they can get in thier mouths. The other thing is Salmonella. In a small population this would not be a problem, but as in the population of green iguanas on Key Biscayne, the numbers were so high that everything in the park water, grass, etc had feces. I contracted Samonella 2 times when I started there. The population was so out of control, that I could count 30 individuals in one small tree and countless others on bigger trees. The C. Similis were eating baby native and npn-native birds. They also get into attics and other places and the smell of feces is unbearable.

I understand that a large Similis is a hard thing to keep, but it is not impossible. Although i've had some people tell me that they have had casualties, I have had many success stories.

On the other hand C. Pectinata, tends to adapt much better than C. Similis.

I guess I could see them eating baby birds, I never thought of that, I still feel sorry for them. I would have more to say but I am fighting the flu right now. Thanks KB

I feel sorry for them too, but the adults have limited enemies. With the exception of hawks, there is nothing else that will eat or kill an adult Similis. Not even a cold winter will affect them because they hide at night. The babies fall victim to ratsnakes, birds, cats, and other iguanas, but so many make it to adulthood that collecting is the only way I can think of truly controlloing the populations.

There are two other alternatives; one is unacceptable and the other is way too expensive to do.
One is to kill them on the spot like the FWC would like. The other is to collect them and ship them back to mexico for release, but then you have to go through Cities and the concern of the spread of disease.

Hope you feel better.

Manny

Manny

Just found this message so looks like you are ahead of me on the circumstances at Boca Grande......situation can be resolved if there is a demand by Herp keepers in the US as the Miami Reptile houses can send by FedEx overnight......and if one male and three females are used for one area many can be relocated....the trappers are paid by the reptile wholesale houses......the breeders pay the reptile supply houses and relocation takes place..........a new 5 member panel has been set up according to the Boca Beacon at www.bocabeacon.com and they will decide how to best spend the new iguana tax for eradication.....need someone there at the meeting to explain to them that if given enough time many of the iguanas can be relocated..........if you tell a trapper that reptile houses in Miami will pay about $7 to $10 each for juveniles that stay mostly in the trees on the island.....a trapper can make a fly pole with a noose on the end to catch with.........a trapper could make $50 to $100 a day just nooseing the juveniles if there were demand in the herp breeders market

Some one in the area of Boca Grande has to be at the first meeting of this new group who are going to decide the fate of the Ctenosaura population on the Island as one man has already started a company and has sold for food.....other shoot them and throw them in the canal so there is a need to offer an alternate self sustaining program that includes tourism and relocation to solve the difficulty

What do you think

Kevin Schneider

Iguana Rescue of Southern California

email aumshininglotus@aol.com

619-468-9148

After catching 2, i heard it was illegal. I was told that all wildlife was indescriminantly protected on gasparilla. So how can there be non-government organizations destroying the iguanas?

Does anyone know where I can find a map of the public land in florida? It's easy to find them for the western states where there is more hunting. I can't find one for florida though. Before I start looking for where any species of exotic exists, I better find where it is legal to catch them.

I just heard from a not-very-reliable resource that rhinocerous iguanas (Cyclura cornuta) have been introduced to florida and are just less common than greens and spiny tails. Do any of you know if there is any truth to this?
Also, Do any of you know any areas where it is legal to catch green and spiny tailed iguanas and/or where they are common? If you kinow of any spots that you don't mind to disclose, I'd really like to hear about them.

I have heard similar rumours, and would bet that there are some, but on private property; and not in any quantity.