Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm interested in speaking with current HL keepers & stewards. I'm strongly considering getting one, but wish to assess my realistic chances of keeping it healthy.

Experienced herper of decades, only have one 2003 California Kingsnake now that has been properly cared for since a hatchling. I know proper care of reptiles and take the time to research.

Returned from SE Oregon where I herped for days hoping to find a Horned Lizard. Both Short-horned and Desert occur in locations of extreme SE area, especially Alvord Desert. Was majorly disappointed that we found none; we herped many prime areas.

More interested in Short-horned, but also intrigued by Deserts. Have a 60-gallon vivarium that is a replica of a desert, with gravel and hiding spots. Yes, I know that they eat ants.

Have you had good luck with yours? With proper temperature, setup & diet, can they do well in captivity? Are they Human-friendly, like a Uromastyx, or do they prefer mostly to be left alone? Please share your insight.

They are nice lizards to have, I have three and have had them for about three years now, they will tolerate you handling them a little but they don't realy like it, there defence is to not move when danger and hope you didn't see them, some people think that they are frirndly, there just protecting themselfs by not moving when you go to pick them up but they stress when they're handled to much ,
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0.0.1 Bearded Dragon (Drago)
1.1 Desert Iguana(Dima, Dianne)
1.0 Green Iguana (Igor)
1.2 Collared Lizard (Fred, Wilma, Betty)
1.1 Desert Lepard Lizard (Simba, Kimba)
1.2 Desert Horned Lizard (Spike, Rose, Jade)
0.1 Hamster (Diamanta)
1.1 Kids
0.1 Wife

Most people agree with you, some have had phenominal success with Horneds. Overall, they seem like a "display" species, not one that can normally engage with & enjoy Humans.

HL's can be kept in captivity with good success. I think the myth that they can't is born from so many folks who pick them up camping or on vacation and take them home only to have them die a month or two later because no research is done regarding their needs. Each species is a little different to care for.
The only species I would stay away from would be short horned lizards.
Do your homework and you should be fine.
Good luck!
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www.phrynosoma.com

I don't believe that we should keep them in captivity. One of the reasons that there is such a decline in the Texas Horned Lizard is the pet trade. I catch Horned lizards here but only keep them a couple of hours and let them go exactly where I find them because you can really mess up the ecological system by taking them as pets. I mean, think about it, they are already getting rare - I remember seeing dozens when I was younger, and now only see one or two if I am lucky. If there are only a few left and I decided to take one home and raise it, I can mess up the entire change of breeding in that area if I happen to take a female and the other gets eaten by a predator. I don't believe these animals should be taken as pets unless by an experienced herpotologist who is doing so to further the species because of extinction.