Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have been on a mission trying to track down the FEW pure lewisi I sold to private people [wish I had sold all]. Here is one I've just obtained that MAY be a pure lewisi. He is a male less than 2 years old and unless I were to do a DNA test I could NOT be 100% sure. I would appreciate any comments from those few out there who have seen them...Let me know what you think...

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Tom Crutchfield
www.tomcrutchfield.com

I have seen lots. It sure looks blue enough. I have no way to tell if its pure. no one does without dna. History shows that there were a lot of hybrids out there in private and zoo hands that thought they had pure ones and found out they weren't. If I had to pick pure or X , I would say X, based on history, the thickness of the chevrons at that age and the brown on the back. Really, it doesnt matter, its all about the amount of blue, thats what determines value for most people.

You're likely correct although the black distinct chevrons is not always a good indicator. Here's a pic of Mr Blue which was a DNA tested pure one that had distinct chevrons always and I've seen a lot of other pure ones that have them also...It looks close enough I'm very pleased with the appearance regardless...Thanks and I'd love to hear other opinions as well..

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Tom Crutchfield
www.tomcrutchfield.com

I agree with JF, but, although it would be nice to have pure (I would prefer to have), a high percentage lewisi that looks pure is just as nice to have. These american lewisi's arn't going to be used to repopulate Grand Cayman, or be exchanged with zoo stock, so we should be happy just having these high blue lizards.

Mark, if you know who has them Ramon and I sold a very few PURE ones to private people. The looking has been rough as some have changed hands but I'm getting very close and of course because I had pure ones would love to have them again. I have NO plans to DNA test any but I do intend to eventually be producing something that at LEAST LOOKS like the real deal. Everything I've seen by MOST other folks claiming to have high percentage lewisi simply do NOT look it to me. Anyway I'm pleased with this male as it's the BEST I've seen yet. Right now I'm tracking one more guy who had real ones he purchased from someone who got real ones from me but we'll see...thanks..The flash washed the blue out on this guy a bit. His blue is very intense and in fact better than some pure ones I've seen...

This was Godzilla and he had distinct chevrons as well...
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Tom Crutchfield
www.tomcrutchfield.com

Blue is a hard color to catch on film correctly.

Tom, I agree about the chevrons, On this forum I am always reminding people about the chevrons on pure lewisi. That said my comment was the thickness of them on such a young animal. Chevrons on young ones I have seen on GC are not usually that dark and thick yet. Anyway, my opinion and memory. Time will tell how close it is to a real one. Good luck tracking yours down.

jf

Tom,

I had a stunning male that I got as a yearling from B.Ehrig around 2000. He had pencil thin chevrons, which were barely visible. Even at the young age I got him at he had a nice elongated snout and a powder blue color. As he grew he had no chevrons and was all blue. I know I have pics of him when he was young. I don't know If I have any of him as a young adult. I sold him for a HUGE chunk of change and kick myself everytime I think about not having him here!

Take care

He seems very close to a pure lewisi but whatever he is, he is absolutley gorgeous, wouldnt mind having some

Stupid question from a german person who don't know the breeder scene in the US well. WHY did you sell them?

I put them on LOAN to several AZA Zoo's where they DIED. I didn't sell them. Most of the babies were sold or given to AZA facilities by Ramon and myself thinking or trying to help in the conservation of these magnificent lizards. Now it seems ALL MINE ARE DEAD[INCUDING SOME 3-4 YEAR OLD LIZARDS]. That's correct all was for the lizards sake or so I thought...
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Tom Crutchfield
www.tomcrutchfield.com

sorry to hear that. And nowadays nobody in the US has a breeding stock anymore of pure Lewisis? Is that right?

It is possible and I am looking...
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Tom Crutchfield
www.tomcrutchfield.com

good luck!

anyway..a dream which animals are available in the US compared to Europe..

Whatever happened to the guy from Serpent Safari?? I recall an old reptiles magazine (that looked at yesterday actually), they had pictured one of his "prized" pure grand caymen blue iguanas. He also had a few albino iguanas aswell.

I'm not sure Lou had pure lewisi but I sold him the Albino Iguanas although those were NOT related to the ones I produce now. I've totaly lost track of him...

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Tom Crutchfield
www.tomcrutchfield.com