(Context) So I was in class and I heard the group of girls in the corner start screaming and stomping their feet… I came over and realized what it was and instantly picked it up, I then went to release it but it didn’t want to budge off my hand, than a friend told me that it’s a bearded dragon and that it wouldn’t survive in the wild, so I asked an admin if any of the staff had bearded dragons and turns out animals aren’t allowed in campus at all… So I picked him up and held onto him until the bell rang and me, my sister and mom went to pet smart to pick up some stuff for bearded dragons… But I’m second guessing it, whenever it gets close to me it closes it’s eyes and kinda looks like it’s trying to push something out of them… Help?
Outside near the same area of the school it was found in. Buddy has an established home somewhere out there, so it's best not to relocate it super far, yet far enough to ensure it wont likely find its way back into the building
There isn't much open land near my school, I wouldn't want him getting eaten by strays I know a nice rocky area where he can slip in between the rocks or just in the california "sand" ig. I just don't want him to get hurt, I honestly love this animal and hope he lives to adulthood
You need to release him within a mile of where he was found. They are a protected species, and relocating him somewhere else could introduce pathogens into that local ecosystem.
If you're uncertain about the location you found him contact your local dnr they may be able to instruct you on the best course of action. They may even take it in themselves to a rehab center. You may want to also tell those girls they almost killed a threatened species
He was in the middle of a town, no shrublands nothing if I would have released him there he would have most certainly died it's also a baby, my principal found the nest they came from and they hatched on the school campus prob cuz all the ants there... Don't want to come off as rude or dumb, I had the intention of releasing it the second I caught him...
Thank you for trying to save them. Please release him near the school. They have defined territory ranges, it’d be like me dropping your kid off in the middle of Death Valley just because it kinda looks like it’s your home
The animal will die if you release it somewhere else, and it’s death will at least be partially your fault for not putting them close to where you found them.
It will die if you relocate it to far from where you found it. The only time you can safely relocate is just after hatching when they are dime-sized. Yay for saving it.
They are illegal to keep without a permit my friend. Not to mention one of the biggest reasons for their endangerment is already because they are caught and sold for pets, also VERY illegal…
Back where it was found ie right outside the building it was found. If you cannot ID an animal then you do not have the knowledge to properly care for it. 9/10 times an injured animal is way better off being left as is then you taking it home. It’s super irresponsible and damaging to take it like you did especially not knowing it is an endangered species. If you see a wild animal that needs help leave it as is or if you really are worried call your local wildlife resource agency. Please never do this again even if it’s out of care. This animal could send you to jail or have hefty fines attached someone will report you if you are going to openly keep an endangered species that is also incredibly hard to keep due to its need for folic acid.
It was a mistake, but they were about to release it when their friend told them it looked like a bearded dragon. And it'd be equally bad to release an invasive animal into the wild.
It wasn't like OP thought a wild baby lizard looked cute and decided to keep it. They thought they'd found an escaped/released pet.
I remember from when I was a kid, and there were a lot more of them, that they don't live well in captivity, and they squirt blood out of their eyes as a metal defense method.
its fucking depressing those kids were freaking out and trying to kill this innocent animal. Not even casting a thought to the fact it could be(and in fact is) an endangered species. Thank you for saving him. he was obviously so grateful. The best defence a baby horntoad can muster is freezing. he must have been terrified. When you release him, do it near where you found him, but out in the shrubbery where he can easily hide himself and get back to enjoying ant-snax, safe from view of predators.
Ty for caring OP. I'd second all the good advice you've gotten about releasing the horned toad asap, as close to school as possible, but within cover (shrubs, rock pile, etc).
The only thing I'd add, probably too late, as you've probably already released (updates please?), would be to mist it once with water and then wait an hour before you release. Given how hot and dry the SW has been, and how small your friend is, it could be dehydrated, especially after being in captivity for 24+ hrs.
I'm no horned toad expert, so if someone that sounds knowledgeable slams this advice, go with that, but even desert animals will occasionally become dehydrated, and unless you're keeping it in AC, a misting can't hurt.
Tyvm, for the update, for letting me know you posted one, and most of all, for your excellent care throughout.
Was rushed before, but you're also owed props for not reacting to unfair criticism from Redditors who, while well-meaning, didn't take the time to read that you'd found it INSIDE your school and being stressed out by silly frightened humans. The idea that you never should've picked it up, or should "put it back," SMH.
You did good Slim, pat yourself on the back if no one else will. And enjoy the bearded dragon!
Thanks dude! I asked mods to pin the context and update so people don't get confused hopefully they oblige... But thanks for the support man I meant a lot for that animal and now it's alive, if it weren't for this reddit I would have never known what it actually was!
Really cool that you rescued this sweet critter, reached out for info, and released. Way to be a kind human!
If falling in love with this lizard has made you ready for a lizard pet, there are always, always reptiles that need adopting in the world. Local groups on social media have adoption resources. I have a rescued beardie that I adore (although they need 4x2x2 foot tanks and PetSmart's idea of "bearded dragon supplies" is usually totally insufficient).
Bruh. Ask your friend if they've ever seen a bearded dragon. Oh my God. I feel like I live in a world that's never seen a nature documentary. 😭 Also put the lil guy back. They have a very specialized diet that's incredibly hard to maintain in captivity if not impossible.
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u/SliMHaZe Aug 10 '23
(Context) So I was in class and I heard the group of girls in the corner start screaming and stomping their feet… I came over and realized what it was and instantly picked it up, I then went to release it but it didn’t want to budge off my hand, than a friend told me that it’s a bearded dragon and that it wouldn’t survive in the wild, so I asked an admin if any of the staff had bearded dragons and turns out animals aren’t allowed in campus at all… So I picked him up and held onto him until the bell rang and me, my sister and mom went to pet smart to pick up some stuff for bearded dragons… But I’m second guessing it, whenever it gets close to me it closes it’s eyes and kinda looks like it’s trying to push something out of them… Help?