flat-tailed horned lizard

ember · 09-08-03, 09:22 AM

Hello i'm a newbe here and I was wondering if anybody had info on flat-tailed horned lizards.I bought a pair from a lrs.But they don't have to much info on them.They call themselves a reptile store lol.any info will be grate.

Wuntu Menny · 09-08-03, 12:28 PM

I've never heard of a flat tailed, but its likely Phrynosoma platyrhinos, the desert horned lizard. Check Sundial Reptiles for a care sheet, but I'd have to say that horned lizards are among the worst possible candidates for captivity.

I've tried to keep several over the years and in every case, they failed to thrive. If you can't supply them with a bottomless source of the proper species of ants, they will not survive. And before you ask, no, there is no synthetic substitute or supplement that can replace the formic acid constituent of their required diet.

WM

Samba · 09-09-03, 01:13 PM

I agree with WM. Not only did you purchase animals without doing your research first, you picked a species that is not likely to thrive in your care. I would call a zoo or exibition to see if they will take your lizards. That way, they might have a chance of surviving. Make sure you know what you are getting into before making a purchase.

Tim and Julie B · 09-09-03, 01:37 PM

Of course if that is what the lizard is. Is there anyway you can get a picture of it? Or a more detail discription of the lizard?

Kyle Barker · 09-09-03, 04:38 PM

P. m'calli. I dont know much about them, but they are definatly my favorite horned. All i can tell you is they live in sandy hot areas, and likes to go underneath the sand, and whatever decore you have.

JeffT · 09-09-03, 04:52 PM

ember-

Heres a good tip for a newbie, ALWAYS research your animals before you buy. That is one of the largest causes of highly preventable deaths among reptiles, people not knowing how to care for them. I wish you the best of luck keeping these guys alive.

Jeffro

Wuntu Menny · 09-09-03, 06:36 PM

P. m'calli is a flat tailed, looks like you were right. Their range is almost nonexistent, I'm surprised you were able to buy any. I would suggest the dedicated horned lizard forum on that OTHER herp website. I think its called queensnack or something like that. There are several people well versed in captive husbandry there. Ask Lester P. Milroy III his opinion of the situation.

I'm gonna guess that care is similar to that of P. modestum or platyrhinos as their ranges all overlap. I stand by my original recommendation of not entertaining the idea that these can be kept with any degree of success. The animals are better off in the hands of bonafide experts than amateurs like ourselves.

WM

ember · 09-10-03, 08:42 AM

hello thankyou all for responding.Just to clarify I do research my reptiles.I work at lps as a manager and it was one of my customers that bought them.They needed info on them. The lrs where they bought them had no clue on care.I think thay shoud do there research lol haha.For a reptile store they don't no mutch.I don't order reptiles until i do my research for me and my customers its my job to do so.Thankyou all for your help now i can yell at them for making a bad purchase lol.

sara · 09-10-03, 09:36 PM

Why are there so many of these guys floating around? I saw 3-4 at a not-so-super pet store today and I nearly b!tchslapped the manager. Does anyone know of someone who has experience with these? I honestly wouldn't mind paying for them if someone knew what they were doing, I just can't get my head around leaving them to starve to death.

You should have heard the sales rep, I couldn't believe what he was saying; "yeah, we feed them ants. No we don't stock them, you should see them chase them around the parking lot" idiot! Who knows what kind of crap those ants have been eating, or even what type they are. How are they going to feed them when there's 6" of snow in their "parking lot"?
Sorry, I usually don't get this pissed about improper husbandry, but these little guys don't even have a chance. That's my rant, thanks for listening.

Wuntu Menny · 09-10-03, 09:43 PM

Well said Sara! This is one genus that deserves blanket protection. There are only a handful of people on the continent that know how and are able to look after these guys.

Nice avatar BTW!

WM

sara · 09-11-03, 03:15 PM

Thanks, he was having one of his "good" days.

I'm going back tonight to have another chat with the manager, this time i'll be armed with some decent care sheets & really good ant keeping info, I hope he takes it... i'm starting to wonder whether I should bring my can of CO2 along.... just in case he has any remote sense of compassion. :S Damn, this is turning me into a total head-case. Oh, and I really meant what I said about paying to get them in a proper facility, so if anyone has info feel free to get in touch.