 There is a company making the rounds at a lot of the kids events here in Connecticut that is representing themselves as an orphanage for "baby dragons" and selling adult green anoles in very small containers with incorrect care info. The reports that I have received, claim that they were assured that theses containers were all their baby dragon would need. The small containers have colored aquarium gravel, and a small piece of fake pine tree branch that looked like it came off of an artificial wreath. There was a piece of clam shell that was either for water or the dry food that was supplied that most of the lizards would never associate with being food. A pair of these lizards, would need a ten gallon tank, set up as a tropical terrarium, with lots of artificial plants and a heat source. In a bigger tropical tank, they can be kept with a variety of other small lizards and tree frogs. Males are very territorial, and more than one should only be kept in large heavily planted tanks where they can claim their own territory. They need to be sprayed down every day because they don't generally drink out of standing water in a bowl. They also need live food like crickets and meal worms. The thing I found most upsetting is how the "adoption certificate" suggests that the best way to tame a baby dragon is to hold it firmly but gently in your hand for 15 to 30 minutes to warm it up. The reason being that a warm dragon was a happy dragon. What really happens is the lizard goes into sort of trance and will just "freeze" for several minutes. It has been well documented that kids in southern areas of the United States where these lizards have become established, capture them and after paralyzing them in a similar fashion, will hang them from their lips or ears. I don't think it is as fun for the lizards as it is for the kids. Fortunately, the laughable care sheet, gives a website that pretty much disputes all the verbal and written instructions. Most of the people I have spoke to, were not happy when they found out they needed to spend another 50 dollars to provide a proper home for their "green anole". How many of these animals shrivel up and die without getting the correct set up, is anyone's guess. If you see these people, don't buy a baby dragon. You can get them cheaper and better cared for at any quality pet store. The lizards sell for an average of 7 dollars. The small plastic containers are 2.99. Paying 15 dollars for the lizard IN one of those containers is no bargain. Instead, tell them they are doing a bad thing, and suggest they sell "pet rocks" instead. |
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