Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello! I don't know if you remember me, but last year you guys helped me out with my SHL Fluffy. I wanted to let you know she wintered fine and is fat and healthy! We spent this summer moving to Colorado, where we found her, and finishing up a new outdoor habitat for this winter (so she can hibernate in her natural way, rather than in my fridge!) We have also been looking for a male SHL because we hope to mate her. We found one and named him Adam. Unfortunatly, after he shed last week, the dark spots on his tail area have gotten very light. Is this normal? I may have mistakenly picked up another female, and if that is the case, i'd like to return her to the wild as soon as possible. Here are some pics. Please let me know if you can help me out....again!
Sherry

What we need is the underside picture of the vent and somewhat close up. In females the small bown spots under the legs are not as prominant as in the male, also the male may have what is called "post anal" scales which are present in the male but not in the female. If you send us a picture we can try and help. The lizard should not be let go as this may cause wild populations to catch germs from humans and things humans are around. What state do you live in (or what state was this captured in?)
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Phrynosoma.com

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signature file edited. [phw 11/14/04]

We just moved back to Colorado. That is where we caught them both. I will Take some Pics of the undersides and post them as soon as i can! (My digital camera got lost in Tennesee and it is being returned this week) Did you notice the yellowish tone on Fluffy? Is that normal? it developed after her last shed (about 3 weeks ago)
Sherry

Hi Sherry,
Those HL's both look good. The yellow is probably normal. Most HL's colors will become more vibrant or pronounced after a shed. I think you do have two females there. The males are usually much smaller than the females, although this alone is not enough to make a judgement. But going by the base of the tail it appears to be a female.
Post some more photos if/when you can. And congrats on getting through your first winter. Well done!
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Phrynosoma.Com

I wouldn't recommend releasing it back into the wild. If anything I would offer her to someone on this forum that may be trying to breed also or just keep her(if you can afford the ants. HEHE.) It is not a good practice to release animals into the wild after they have been in captivity for any amount of time especially if in contact with other reptiles. There is always the desease factor. It is not worth it to take a chance and spread something to any wild population of these guys. Awesome lizards and they look very well cared for. I hope you breed them. Tom Greb