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Are there any other ways to catch a lizard?

Clint Bartley
Herpetology Expert
Clint Bartley is a Herpetology Expert based in Chandler, Indiana. He has over 30 years of experience working with reptiles, and opened Metazotics in 2022, a large reptile breeding facility and specialty store where he oversees a breeding colony of nearly 500 reptiles. Metazotics specializes in reptiles such as colubrids, ball pythons, geckos, tortoises, and more, and serves a national audience with their state-of-the-art online merchandise platform. In particular, Clint is known as an industry leader in Asian rat snake and black rat snake mutations. Clint has successfully reproduced more than 60 species of reptiles in captivity. He was the second person in the United States to produce Archelaphe bella chapaensis (bell rat snakes), and the first person in the U.S. to produce them twice. Metazotics carries a comprehensive line of supplies and habitats, offers all bioactive enclosure needs, and works with local organizations to further their knowledge and understanding of reptiles.

Clint Bartley

Herpetology Expert

Expert Answer

You can also catch lizards with a glue trap. Start by placing it in areas where lizards frequent, potentially adding bait for attraction. Regularly monitor the trap, freeing any caught lizards carefully. Once finished, dispose of the trap properly, considering alternative methods to minimize harm to non-target animals.

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Question

What is the best bait to use?

Community Answer

It depends on which type of lizard you are dealing with. But small insects like roly polys, small beetles, and small spiders will usually work best.

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Question

What if I can't find a picture of the lizard I want to catch?

Community Answer

You could search for the lizards that are commonly found in your state/region. Finding a list of local lizards can make it easier to narrow down your search.

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Question

What do I do if a different animal enters the box trap?

Community Answer

Depending on what type of animal, you might need gloves - or just take the top off and let the animal go.

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Question

Can I trap a lizard with a plastic bottle?

Community Answer

Yes, it is possible.

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Question

What do lizards eat?

Community Answer

It depends whether it's a herbivore, carnivore, or an omnivore. Most lizards eat insects, however.

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Question

Can I catch a lizard with my bare hands?

Brittney.B

Community Answer

It might be a little hard, but if you are determined then you might be successful.

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Question

How do I make a habitat for a lizard?

Community Answer

There are some great tips in this article about caring for your lizard on wikiHow.

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Question

Can I use a net to catch the lizard?

Community Answer

Yes, although a net is usually considered a more difficult method of capturing lizards.

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Question

Is there any way I can keep my lizard in a cardboard box permanently?

Community Answer

A cardboard box is a very poor home for a lizard. You should find a proper habitat and move it out of the cardboard box before too long.

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Question

Can I feed the lizard lettuce?

Community Answer

I would advise against this, as most lettuce is full of water, which will affect a reptile's digestive system. Make sure you know which species the lizard is before regularly offering a specific food.

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Question

How can I tell if a lizard is male or female?

Community Answer

Look at the belly. A lot of male lizards have some bright, colorful patches of scales along the sides of their belly and up the undersides of their neck. Females tend to be more blandly colored.

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Question

How do I get close to a lizard without making it run away so I can grab it? The lizards in my area are very fast and run if I walk towards them.

Community Answer

Sneak up behind them. You need to be quick and stealthy in order to catch one.

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Question

How long will method one take?

Community Answer

Method one would probably take one to two weeks at the absolute most.

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Question

Can I feed ants to a lizard?

Community Answer

Yes, but make sure they aren't fire ants, and make sure there aren't too many at once.

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Question

What if the lizard is stubborn?

Community Answer

Most lizards are stubborn. Try using a cup and a piece of stiff paper. Slowly approach the lizard, holding the cup in one hand and paper in the other. Then, VERY QUICKLY place the cup over the lizard. Slide the paper under the cup slowly, making sure not to hurt the lizard. Either keep the lizard in appropriate conditions in a cage, or release it to a different location.

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Question

How do I find out which lizard is which?

Community Answer

Go online and search for reptiles that live in your area. If you learn about the local wildlife, you will be able to identify them as soon as you see them.

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Question

What if my reflexes far outweigh a lizards, but my hands are too small to catch it with bare hands?

Community Answer

Maybe you could cast a net over the lizard, like the ones lemons are sometimes kept in at a grocery store.

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Question

Can I use mealworms as bait?

Community Answer

Yes, you can try to use them as bait.

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Question

Do I put the bait on top of the box, or inside?

Community Answer

If the bait is small and light, then put it on top. If it is a bit heavier, put it inside your trap.

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Question

Will the noose choke the lizard?

Community Answer

As long as you don't actually pick the lizard up while the noose is on, then no, it won't choke the lizard.

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Question

Can lizards eat apples?

Community Answer

It depends on the lizard, but apples are usually fine. I would suggest doing research on your specific type of lizard and its recommended diet first though.

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Question

How do I know if a lizard is venomous?

ScottsTots

Community Answer

The only two lizards with venom are the Gila monster, found in the southwestern USA and Mexico, and the Mexican beaded lizard, found in Mexico.

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Question

Will crackers work as bait?

ScottsTots

Community Answer

Most lizards enjoy insects, such as crickets and mealworms, rather than crackers. Some, such as the bearded dragon, also like greens, so that could be used as bait as well.

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Question

Are lizards venomous?

Community Answer

Some lizards may bite or try to attack, but most lizards that are small are not dangerous or poisonous. Bigger lizards like gila monsters or salamanders may be venomous.

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Question

Can I feed a baby lizard maggots or meat bees?

Community Answer

You can, but most of the time they prefer meal worms, small crickets, or flies.

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Question

Can I keep a lizard in a box?

Cady

Community Answer

Only temporarily, no more than overnight. Make sure to move the lizard into a 20-gallon tank (or larger) that has fake plants and bedding.

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Question

What is the best time to find lizards?

FutureHow

Community Answer

It depends on what kind of lizard you are looking for. The best time would be midday or morning since the lizards are basking in the sun. That is if you ware looking for the ones that are active during the day.

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Question

If you live in Sydney, how do you catch green tropical lizards?

FutureHow

Community Answer

Use bait. Things like light and food are good choices. Light attracts bugs that the lizard can eat.

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Question

I grab lizards by their sides, but thay always open their mouths. is this normal? I do not know if this is hurting them. (They are small anoles.)

FutureHow

Community Answer

It might be best not to catch the lizard if you don't need to, it can really stress them out. By opening their mouth, they are trying to defend themselves and are looking for something to bite.

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