Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just found this girl in my backyard. Its definately a female, and she looks gravid to me. Normally I would just snap some pics and release her, but I think it'll be fun to hatch some little alli's.
So anyways, does she look gravid to you guys?

Thanks,
Andrew

Another question,
Are there any law pertaining to the keeping/breeding and/or selling alligator lizards in California?

Thanks,
Andrew

She looks gravid

In California you are allowed 2 alligator lizards which can be taken with a fishing license. It is illegal to sell, trade, or export native reptiles. It is also illegal to release reptiles that have been in captivity.

For a more complete summary of the regs, check out this page: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/licensing/pdffiles/fg1502.pdf

-Alice

Thanks for the response,

Im too young for a fishing license, so I dont think the fishing license rule would apply to me, just the collection/possession limit.

It says there is no possession limit in keeping captive bred natives. What do I do with the babies? If I cannot release them, and I cant sell or trade them, what does that leave me with? Just giving them away? Or is the sell/trade law not effective with CB animals?

Sorry for all of the questions...

Thanks,
Andrew

The regs regarding possession limit don't cover cb rosies, gophers or CA kings, the three species for which commercial progagation permits are issued. The possesion limits apply to all the other species and it would not be legal to sell your babies. The best bet would be to find homes for them. The prohibition on releasing captives is to protect the health and genetic integrity of the wild populations. If you decide to release them anyway, the best thing to do would be to make sure they have no exposure to other captive herps and release them ASAP after hatching at the site where you collected their mother.
-Alice

Thanks for your help. The only problem I have with giving them away is making sure they are going to a good home. But I have already found a home for at least one of the babies, if the eggs successfully hatch. Who do you normally give your babies to?

Thanks,
Andrew

I normally give mine to friends and co-workers.

-Alice

Thanks for all of your help. I was looking through the photo gallery and saw some pics of some of your southern alli's, and they look awesome. If you ever have any extra babies, Im interested.

Thanks,
Andrew

Woke up this morning to find her sitting around a clutch of 13 healthy, fertile eggs. Cant wait for the babies...

Thanks,
Andrew

Congrats on your eggs! What are you using for an incubation substrate? Your container also looks very moist / wet. If the substrate is too wet, it will drown the embryos. When I incubate my alligator lizard eggs I usually use vermiculite (I purchase mine at OSH), but I've also used the soil sold for african violets (this soil is sterilized unlike most soils sold for gardening etc, just make sure that there is no fertilizer added). It's very important to get the water to substrate ratio right. The ratio should be 1:1 by weight. To weigh out the water and substrate you can use something like a postage scale (they're available at office depots and some walmarts). If a scale it totally out of the question, the substrate should be moist, but not wet; going by feel takes a bit of practice so going by weight is much safer. It's better to be slightly too dry than too wet. If your substrate is too dry, the eggs will start to dent and you will have to add a bit more water, but if it's too wet and the embryos drown that's it.

Good luck,
Alice

Thanks for your help. I have never had any luck with vermiculite, so im using peat moss. I will see if I can dry it out a bit.

Thanks,
Andrew

Ok, I did the 1:1 ratio by weight, seems to be working well. I will keep you updated.

Thanks,
Andrew

Just to double check, you do have a lid on the container? I've never tried peat moss before, hopefully it works out for you.

-Alice

Yes, there is a lid on the container. I will let you know how it goes.

Thanks,
Andrew