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Speaking of Lizards...; ...How do you catch them?
Topic Started: Feb 9 2011, 09:22 PM (3,503 Views)
Carnifex
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1 Longicaudatus
I live in California, and my backyard, and town are almost infested with Western Fence Lizards, also known as Blue Belly Lizards.

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I have always been interested in these fellas, but never really went out to catch them (since I would have alsolutely nothing to do with one once I caught it, I didnt have a terrarium or anything to put it in)

Its "Winter" right now (and i say "winter" with sarcasm cus the coldest it gets is like 60 degrees) and the lizards arent out and about now. theyre only out during summer.

Anyone know how I can catch one of these guys? Theyre generally around 3-4 inches, not counting tail length. I figured I could take some dental floss and make a slipknot and basically lasso one, but the last thing I want to do is hurt it.
Raising Triops. Sometimes the questions are hard and the answers are simple.
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Ducky
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Triops breeder
i think if i wanted to catch one i'd make a contraption that traps them, like in a box, if they trigger the catch...

even the box held up with stick tied to food inside would probably do, like in the cartoons?

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/making-home...bbit-traps.html

Do you have Triops that are different than those shown? Please show me!

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triops master
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Triops Cancriformis
I corner them when they climb a wall.... My record was 24 in a day!
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Carnifex
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problem with the box idea, they sun bathe in my backyard and they dont move alot, unless you go near them haha

so the box method might be inneffective, considering they more than likely will not even go near it, despite how much food I put in there :P

As for cornering them, that might be good, but theyd probably just climb all the way over the wall and then Im screwed.

I think dental floss slipknots will work, I can keep a small container nearby so that when I do lasso one, I can flip him over on his back, rub his belly ( this basically puts them into an almost "hypnotized" state, since lizards dont have diaphragms, it becomes more difficult for them to breathe, therefore they go into a state of rest to conserve oxygen- dont worry! This doesnt hurt the lizard) once he is on his back, I can take off the string and put him in a container, and then into a terrarium :thumbup:
Raising Triops. Sometimes the questions are hard and the answers are simple.
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triops master
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Carnifex
Feb 9 2011, 06:46 PM
problem with the box idea, they sun bathe in my backyard and they dont move alot, unless you go near them haha

so the box method might be inneffective, considering they more than likely will not even go near it, despite how much food I put in there :P

As for cornering them, that might be good, but theyd probably just climb all the way over the wall and then Im screwed.

I think dental floss slipknots will work, I can keep a small container nearby so that when I do lasso one, I can flip him over on his back, rub his belly ( this basically puts them into an almost "hypnotized" state, since lizards dont have diaphragms, it becomes more difficult for them to breathe, therefore they go into a state of rest to conserve oxygen- dont worry! This doesnt hurt the lizard) once he is on his back, I can take off the string and put him in a container, and then into a terrarium :thumbup:

The box idea might work...
Hang a big cardboard box high enough over a sunny spot and cut the string when one's under it. I've caught a few this way but prefer cornering them.
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Carnifex
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I dont wanna go through too much trouble hahaha

the slipknot is ideal because if you keep your distant, these lizards dont move around. you can literally whip one continuously in the face with the dental floss, I guess they cant feel it because they dont move. onces it is around their neck and you begin tightening the slip, he starts thrashing around. Then you just subdue him and put him in a terrarium :D
Raising Triops. Sometimes the questions are hard and the answers are simple.
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triops master
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Carnifex
Feb 9 2011, 06:59 PM
I dont wanna go through too much trouble hahaha

the slipknot is ideal because if you keep your distant, these lizards dont move around. you can literally whip one continuously in the face with the dental floss, I guess they cant feel it because they dont move. onces it is around their neck and you begin tightening the slip, he starts thrashing around. Then you just subdue him and put him in a terrarium :D

hahahaha
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zaky9
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Triops Australiensis
Carnifex
Feb 9 2011, 08:46 PM
..,flip him over on his back, rub his belly ( this basically puts them into an almost "hypnotized" state, since lizards dont have diaphragms, it becomes more difficult for them to breathe, therefore they go into a state of rest to conserve oxygen- dont worry! This doesnt hurt the lizard)...

I use that to impress friemds at a camp i go to, but with frogs. I completely subdue them, then put them on my head while they recover. My nickname was "the frog whisperer" :rofl1:


(oh and dont try it with toads-they pee all over you -_- )
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triops master
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zaky9
Feb 9 2011, 07:09 PM
Carnifex
Feb 9 2011, 08:46 PM
..,flip him over on his back, rub his belly ( this basically puts them into an almost "hypnotized" state, since lizards dont have diaphragms, it becomes more difficult for them to breathe, therefore they go into a state of rest to conserve oxygen- dont worry! This doesnt hurt the lizard)...

I use that to impress friemds at a camp i go to, but with frogs. I completely subdue them, then put them on my head while they recover. My nickname was "the frog whisperer" :rofl1:


(oh and dont try it with toads-they pee all over you -_- )

:rofl1: :rofl2: :rofl3: :rofl4:
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Ducky
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how about a butterfly net on a long pole? swimming pool skimmer? a blanket? lay a big piece of plastic on the ground, with strings tied to the ends that you join into one, cover it with sand, then pull the main string when enough are on the area so that the edges of the plastic go up and trap them at the bottom?
Do you have Triops that are different than those shown? Please show me!

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triops master
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Triops Cancriformis
Ducky
Feb 9 2011, 07:49 PM
how about a butterfly net on a long pole? swimming pool skimmer? a blanket? lay a big piece of plastic on the ground, with strings tied to the ends that you join into one, cover it with sand, then pull the main string when enough are on the area so that the edges of the plastic go up and trap them at the bottom?

good ideas....
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Kannachan13
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Triops Australiensis
Before you catch one make sure you look up exactly what it needs. most reptiles need specific temperatures and humidities to thrive.
Just touch my cheek before you leave me, baby.
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triops master
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Triops Cancriformis
Kannachan13
Feb 9 2011, 08:48 PM
Before you catch one make sure you look up exactly what it needs. most reptiles need specific temperatures and humidities to thrive.

Yeah.
What are you planning on feeding it?
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Carnifex
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I know tons bout these guys, they are omnivores, but prefer insects such as mealworms, crickets, ants, spiders, ect. (a little calcium powder would do some good too)

They need around 80 degrees hot spot, so I can use my desklamp, or just buy a heating lamp.

They can get to be about 6 inches max including tail. So around a 15 gallon can hold two of the lizards, considering they dont need a whole lotta running room (they basically sit and bask all day)

Im gonna need proper hides (mainly for shade, since these guys dont hide all that much) and sediment (since they fully bury themselves when they decide to sleep)






:gentleman:
Raising Triops. Sometimes the questions are hard and the answers are simple.
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Kannachan13
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Triops Australiensis
In that case I'll ask you to ponder the way you'd feel if you were taken out of the wild- your home.

And then tell you if you still want to to enjoy, because at least they won't be eaten by hawks now, and will never want for food.
Just touch my cheek before you leave me, baby.
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Carnifex
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Kannachan13
Feb 9 2011, 09:52 PM
In that case I'll ask you to ponder the way you'd feel if you were taken out of the wild- your home.

And then tell you if you still want to to enjoy, because at least they won't be eaten by hawks now, and will never want for food.

these lizards are probably the lowest of lows when it comes to reptile food chains in california; theyre eaten by hawks, coyotes, crows, stray cats, shrews, snakes, and ect.

I think id be doing them a favor if I took a few into a terrarium-heaven :D

But I will most likely be keeping one or two for about a week or so, releasing them, then catching a few more, releasing them shortly after, and repeating the process. This is mainly because I dont want to adapt them to a captive-lifestyle.
Raising Triops. Sometimes the questions are hard and the answers are simple.
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DLP
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hay just a side note for you Carnifex,
these guys must have a UVA and UVB light source, or they will not last long.
they need UVA & UVB light to help with the digestion of prey and get vitamins from it also,
and if they go without they can get (MBD) Metabolic Bone Disease,
here is some info for you on MBD...
LINK: ( MBD Facts... ) I hope this helps...
* D E R E K *
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v369
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absolutly not
ok fence lizards are very easy to keep had a few i collected in flordia.
the noose idea works very well attach it to a pole it will work better i have used this tecnique many times when collecting lizards(some as large as 30'' with no harm to the animal)
things to keep in mind..

1 fence lizards are baskers and definatly need uva and uvb to do well make sure in addition to a heat light you have a full spectrum florscent strip with a high output.

2 80 degrees F is much too low for a basking site for them. the spot under the heating lamp should have mutiple elevations for basking the closest to the light should temp at 90 to 97 degrees. their enclosure should be large enough for a true temprature gradient from one end to the other or they will not be able to self regulate thier temprature.(min of a 20 long)equivlent size to a 40 breeder would be best for a trio(2 females 1 male).water dish should be on the opposite end of the enclosure. day time tem for rest of the enclosure should be between 75 and 80, night time room temp is ok most lizards experience large day night temp fluctuations in there nat habitats.

3 males are territorial

4 make sure to feed them a varied diet and supplement calcium.


and juviniles will usualy adapt better to captivity better than adults. they breed quite easily in captivity when kept well
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v369
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absolutly not
+1 to DLP i have done rescue and rehhab on many larger lizards (green iguanas,bearded dragons, and a gold tegu)with mbd.
not pretty
its amazing how misinformed many first time reptile owners are because of poorly informed pet shop employees that ake hearsay for fact as far as reptile hubsandry is concerened.
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triops master
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v369
Feb 10 2011, 07:58 AM
+1 to DLP i have done rescue and rehhab on many larger lizards (green iguanas,bearded dragons, and a gold tegu)with mbd.
not pretty
its amazing how misinformed many first time reptile owners are because of poorly informed pet shop employees that ake hearsay for fact as far as reptile hubsandry is concerened.

I used to run a California non profit snake and lizard rescue...
Then the San Diego Zoo started doing it for me!

@ Carnifex: if you want a long lived pet lizard, get young ones and do what these guys say! When I catch them, I don't keep them...
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v369
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absolutly not
best bet ....captive raised black and white argentine tegu...
they get large but are true omnivores and are actualy quite affectonate.
when I get finaly get my house renovated and have more time and spare cash im most likely going to build an encloseure get a neonate male, high white morph.
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triops master
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Triops Cancriformis
v369
Feb 10 2011, 08:14 AM
best bet ....captive raised black and white argentine tegu...
they get large but are true omnivores and are actualy quite affectonate.
when I get finaly get my house renovated and have more time and spare cash im most likely going to build an encloseure get a neonate male, high white morph.

really? I've heard great things about them, but never kept one. I'll look into that when I get more space....
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v369
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absolutly not
I could go on, and on, about tegus......
bearded dragons are also fantastic the adults are easyyyyy, but the neonates require very precise care to do well.
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triops master
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v369
Feb 10 2011, 08:34 AM
I could go on, and on, about tegus......
bearded dragons are also fantastic the adults are easyyyyy, but the neonates require very precise care to do well.

I know about bearded dragons (and have 2 now), and I've kept a few tegus, but the question was directed the specific species you mentioned.
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v369
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absolutly not
gotcha ^_^
too cool.
had beardeds for years. one of the early red morps (original sandfire)
and a more black morph.
they are great scocial lizards. beardeds are amazing in the fact that they do best in groups and have many different social interaction displays.
the arm waving that the females and summissive males do, and the head bobbing and standing/posing the dominant males do.
sorry im ranting again.
:backtotopicnice:
lol
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DLP
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@ Carnifex
these little fence lizards are some what in demand in the reptile hobby
most of the time as a feeder lizard,
and well i use them for lizard tea! if i find them dead out in the field that is...
NO Not Tea Humans Drink, just ask and I will explain if need be:..

@ v369
if you love Tegu's Like Me You should Talk To Bobby Hill...
LINK: Bobby Hill...
He is the best Breeder hands down & his forum
LINK: Tegu Talk
is the only forum for tegu's Well IMO...
* D E R E K *
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v369
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absolutly not
:}
solid
i had my first tegu about 20 years ago ....
and yes i will definatly check out the forum and his stock...
wait I have that one in my favorites already...

did you use the lizard tea to get your snakes to eat rodents?
I used to make toad tea for my neaonate hognose snakes to get them on pinky mice...
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DLP
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v369
Feb 10 2011, 01:30 PM
did you use the lizard tea to get your snakes to eat rodents?
Yes Exactly...
and i have also used toad tea, and fish tea for aquatic & semi-aquatic reptiles such as Garter snakes and other Colubrid's of the like...
* D E R E K *
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v369
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absolutly not
had a cooks tree boa once that would only eat parakeets and geckos...got really expensive. had a first gen cal king that would only eat mice I rubbed on my other coulibreds.

im suprised you had to tea food for any species of garter most Thamnophis will eat any thing they can fit in there mouths. must have been eccentric snakes
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zaky9
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Triops Australiensis
Aw, i feel left out now :(
The only reptiles i have in nj are angry snapping turtles, angry garter snakes, deadly copperheads, and endangered turtles <_<
I do have a lot of frogs in my yard because of my pond though ^_^
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v369
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absolutly not
Don,t feel left out
nj has a few other snakes....
northern water snakes, dekays, nj is the northern tip of the pine snakes range, milk snakes, black racers, ribbons, eastern hognosed and i think a few others as well.

also i believe 5 lined skinks range into nj in a spot or 2 there native as far north as ct.
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Carnifex
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You will need a UVA&UVB lightsource
I am aware of the UVA/UVB light, I have one. :P must have forgot to mention it.

other than that, I see tarantulas all the time at night on my school's football feild... I always wanted to catch one and keep it- but I dont think my mother would appreciate having a giant spider in the house hahaha
Raising Triops. Sometimes the questions are hard and the answers are simple.
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triops master
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Carnifex
Feb 10 2011, 04:26 PM
You will need a UVA&UVB lightsource
I am aware of the UVA/UVB light, I have one. :P must have forgot to mention it.

other than that, I see tarantulas all the time at night on my school's football feild... I always wanted to catch one and keep it- but I dont think my mother would appreciate having a giant spider in the house hahaha

I breed T's--47 and counting ^_^
Only 7 species, though. I sell 95% of the babies, then keep the rest.
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Carnifex
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triops master
Feb 10 2011, 05:49 PM
Carnifex
Feb 10 2011, 04:26 PM
You will need a UVA&UVB lightsource
I am aware of the UVA/UVB light, I have one.  :P must have forgot to mention it.

other than that, I see tarantulas all the time at night on my school's football feild... I always wanted to catch one and keep it- but I dont think my mother would appreciate having a giant spider in the house hahaha

I breed T's--47 and counting ^_^
Only 7 species, though. I sell 95% of the babies, then keep the rest.

verryy cool :D

are they usually sold as feeders for reptiles?
Raising Triops. Sometimes the questions are hard and the answers are simple.
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triops master
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Triops Cancriformis
Carnifex
Feb 10 2011, 07:02 PM
triops master
Feb 10 2011, 05:49 PM
Carnifex
Feb 10 2011, 04:26 PM
You will need a UVA&UVB lightsource
I am aware of the UVA/UVB light, I have one.  :P must have forgot to mention it.

other than that, I see tarantulas all the time at night on my school's football feild... I always wanted to catch one and keep it- but I dont think my mother would appreciate having a giant spider in the house hahaha

I breed T's--47 and counting ^_^
Only 7 species, though. I sell 95% of the babies, then keep the rest.

verryy cool :D

are they usually sold as feeders for reptiles?

Nope as pets.
See http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/
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Carnifex
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oooh, verrry cool!
Raising Triops. Sometimes the questions are hard and the answers are simple.
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triops master
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Carnifex
Feb 10 2011, 11:15 PM
oooh, verrry cool!

I bet your mother wished I didn't show you that :thumbup:
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Carnifex
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hahaha basically! but I like tarantulas better than roaches :)
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triops master
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Carnifex
Feb 11 2011, 03:08 PM
hahaha basically! but I like tarantulas better than roaches :)

hahaha

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Carnifex
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Trapdoor spiders are also EPIC

too bad there isnt much info on them
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triops master
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Carnifex
Feb 12 2011, 10:51 AM
Trapdoor spiders are also EPIC

too bad there isnt much info on them

Do you know how to keep them?
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