Advice about lizard in backyard?

choot it...'Lizbeth...choot it!!!

 

Why not relocate it or since it may have been a pet, have it taken in by a reptile business?

 

Relocating only moves the problem, or may even make it worse. It absolutely should be removed from the wild. Pet? Fine...but not in the wild. Florida's ecosystem is a wreck because of these pets that have been let loose.

 

Because it's a major problem in Florida. Invasive species are thriving and destroying the local ecosystem. Invasive only because dumb people are releasing them and then they breed.

There's so many that it's not really an option to "have someone come get it" or call a local reptile shop. They're full. Plus that thing is to big to be kept by a non-professional.

I might ask my neighbors if anyone lost a lizard, it not, humanely put it down and move on.

 

Have you thought about trying to get it yourself? I don't know if they make them big enough but hav-a-heart traps are pretty good for this and would probably be less expensive then hiring a professional. We use one for squirrels around my house since they try to live in our garage when it gets cold out.
http://www.ski-epic.com/2007_squirrel_obstacle_course/p20b_squirrel_trap.jpg

 

Well I wish there were alternatives to killing it. It only wants to live.

 

See if some has a crossbow you can borrow (or if you are good with a regular bow, that would work), then make some chili.

 

I bet a zoo would love to have it. On a side note... i hear they taste like chicken.

 

X2

There's gotta be another way. That thing is too awesome to just kill!

 

When I was younger a friend of mine had a savannah monitor, about 2.5 ft long. He fed it a live teenage chicken one time. His mother, along with the house next door was not happy with us. That chicken screamed for like 45 minutes while it was trying to get away from the monitor.

 

That was my first thought as well.

 

Catch it, tie it up in the bed of your truck as the new and improved "tailgate theft mod".

 

Catch it. Put it in a box. Mail it to me. I want one in my backyard.

 

Kind of sucks to kill it if no one is going to use the meat, guess it comes down to the safety of any kids/pets. I can imagine a professional trapper is pretty pricey. I normally kill snakes if they make their way into the warehouse because I don't want to take a chance with anything dangerous or poisonous.

 

It is. I read through the thread to make sure someone else didn't say it first....

Unfortunately lots of folks buy them and then release them when they reach a few feet and don't fit in a 20 gallon breeder tank anymore. Savannahs are cheap and common, so I doubt you'll be able to find a home for it. It's an invasive species, so about the only right thing to do is call animal control or dispatch it yourself.

Alternatively you can put on a heavy shirt and some welding gloves and grab it behind the head, shut it in the bathroom and put out a craigslist add for a free adult savannah monitor. It will scratch the heck out of you, so look out. The tail is strong too. Just don't get bit. Someone will probably come get it...

 

That is pretty cool but I have to agree with the other guys that it has to go... unless you trap him, build a cage and keep him as a pet

IMO you should at least call FWC and speak with them on options.

FWC Contact

 

Man that'd become my new pet. I found a gopher snake in my back yard, named him Lenny and kept him for years. Just watch out, big lizards can really kick your ass. I've had a few large breed reptiles and they can break bones with their jaws.

 

Chewbacca crossbow that bitch.

 

he might be hungry, find a small animal or something and feed him so he doesnt get any nearby children/pets

 

As a person who has had many different types of snakes/lizards/turtles as pets, my advise is to kill it. They are invasive and destroying the local ecosystem. If you call local animal control they will most likely kill it as well.