Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Psssst, does anyone here know of a safe sure way to mark their expensive and well loves reptiles? AVID Chips? Tatoo? Other implants? I got the note on the implants that can cause cancer on mice from someone but it didn't say if the implants were AVID or otherwise.
Without pictures how can we idenitfy our stolen or lost and returned reptiles?

I don't. Some reptiles and indigos have irregularities in subcaudal scales, an occassional divided or undivided one. That seems like a good way to photo/document an animal, and I know field biologists often mark animals by clipping notches in these subcaudal scales, assigning a number etc. Realistically, I can't imagine getting an animal back if stolen, except on your own terms. It would be real tricky getting Probable Cause to scan someones animal for a chip...can you imagine the average Police Officer/Animal Control officer getting a warrant to scan a collection hoping to recover your stolen property? To the lay person, Drys look pretty much the same. I may be missing an important point, and I would like to hear WHY people think chips are effective. Tortoise keepers often do this. (BTW, I have chips in my dogs, because many VETS and animal controls DO routinely scan lost/recovered animals) and I do see the need to document if/when someone sets up a stud book. vic h.