tuatara

[SpiderLord]

i know tuataras are not lizards...but there is no specific place for this post...well i was wondering where i could buy a tuatara?

[Bartman]

I was told they are HIGHLY endangered so I doubt you could purchase one anywhere. Who knows

[V.hb]

theres about 2 of them in captivity. Not really petshop material. :)

[SpiderLord]

the zoo im a member of has 2 in captivity...so there must be more

[SpiderLord]

they make the perfect pet...like cold temps...they live well over a hundred years..and they are intelligent monitor like reptiles

[SpiderLord]

ok i am also looking to get a gila monster, where could i purchase one of those...just a normal one...not any morphs...if you could link me to a site that would be great

[BoidsUnlimited]

You like expensive things eh?

Tuatars, good luck.

Gila monsters are around 1000.

I would link, but I cant - not allowed.

PS - Your sig is huge, I think the limit is 4 lines. Long sigs are annoying.

[SpiderLord]

ok sorry for the sig i will trim it down...yes i like expensive things who dosnt...why arnt you allowed i am confused..

[Brock]

If you do tuataras make sure to become affiliated with some endangered species program and release the babies back into the wild in New Zealand, they certainly do not belong in the pet trade, many would die of over heating, if you like nice expensive monitor-type lizards try some Cycluras, there are some nice species around and some that look just like tuataras.

Gila monsters you can get easily in the US, not sure of any sites but they will be easy to find. How did your zoo get the Tuataras?

-Brock

[BoidsUnlimited]

KS links are not allowed.

*hint*

[SpiderLord]

ok...i dont know how my zoo got these tuataras..but man are they a sight for sore eyes.to see one up close is awesome..beautifal creatures...gilas are cute and they eat eggs lol.

[SpiderLord]

its the toldedo zoo by the way...in ohio...check the diversity of life exhibit to to see their tuataras

[SpiderLord]

does anyone here own a gila?

[Double J]

spiderlord=troll ????

[Linds]

Originally posted by Brock
If you do tuataras make sure to become affiliated with some endangered species program and release the babies back into the wild in New Zealand, they certainly do not belong in the pet trade, many would die of over heating...

Captive populations should most certainly (and carefully) be encouraged with animals that are endangered. Eventually these animals will not exist at all, and will be lost if nobody does anything. They have a super slow breeding cycle, so releasing them only to get killed may not be in the best interest of preserving the species in the long run. Also, for replacement programs to be even the least bit effective, the root of the problem needs to be fixed.

[DragnDrop]

Sphenodontidae Tuatara are CITES appendix I. You can forget about them as pets, unless of course you are a zoo or accredited institution approved for CITES I animals. http://www.cites.org/eng/append/appendices.shtml

Also check out http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Sphenodon_punctatus.html

Conservation Status

In 1895, the country of New Zealand awarded the tuatara strict legal protection. It is currently considered a CITES (Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species) Appendix I species. This is the most restricted classification for a species. In order for a zoo to posess this species, very demanding rules must be followed, and the public display of tuataras has only recently been allowed. Access to the islands that the tuatara inhabit is strictly regulated, and for many years no tuataras have been removed from any island for any reason.

[SpiderLord]

im not a troll...whatever that is..i am assuming its bad...oh and im just trying to get information, what are forums for?