Best Places To Buy Earless Monitor Lizards

The earless monitor lizard (Lanthanotus borneensis) is a fascinating creature native to the Southeast Asian island of Borneo. With its dragon-like appearance, this rare reptile is highly sought-after by enthusiasts and collectors alike. If you're interested in purchasing one of these unique lizards, you may be wondering where to start. While they are protected by law in several countries, including Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia, it is possible to find them in the pet trade, with some retailers offering payment plans and overnight shipping.

Online reptile shops

There are a number of online reptile shops that sell monitor lizards, but it is unclear whether they sell the earless monitor lizard (Lanthanotus borneensis) specifically. This may be due to its status as an endangered species. However, some online shops do advertise a wide range of monitor lizards for sale, including the Savannah monitor, Nile monitor, Water monitor, and many other species. Some shops even offer exotic reptiles at low prices, allowing customers to buy snakes, lizards, turtles, tortoises, and even alligators.

For example, Backwater Reptiles offers a range of monitor lizards with a live arrival guarantee. Their prices range from $49.99 for a Savannah Monitor to $2,499.00 for a Black Dragon Water Monitor. They also offer feeder insects for sale, such as crickets, mealworms, and wax worms, which can be purchased in bulk at discounted prices.

Another online shop, Snakes at Sunset, also offers a variety of monitor lizards for sale, including the Dumeril's Monitor, Mangrove Monitor, and Green Tree Monitor. They assure customers that their lizards are of the best quality and provide overnight shipping and a live arrival guarantee.

Underground Reptiles is yet another online retailer that supplies a wide selection of monitor lizards, including the Water Monitor, Dumeril's Monitor, Savannah Monitor, and Black Throat Monitor. They also offer a live arrival guarantee for their reptiles.

While these shops may not specifically mention the earless monitor lizard, it is possible that they could be a source for purchasing one, especially if they offer a diverse range of monitor lizards. However, it is important to exercise caution and ensure that any purchase is made ethically and legally, as the earless monitor lizard is protected by law in its native range.

Specialist pet shops

When purchasing an earless monitor lizard from a specialist pet shop, it is essential to ask about the animal's origin and whether it was captive-bred or wild-caught. Captive-bred lizards are generally more expensive but are recommended as they are more accustomed to human interaction and captive environments. Wild-caught lizards may be cheaper, but they can be more challenging to care for and may have been obtained illegally.

Overall, purchasing an earless monitor lizard from a specialist pet shop can be a rewarding experience for experienced reptile keepers, but it is crucial to prioritize the animal's welfare and ensure that all legal and ethical considerations are met.

Reptile breeders

Earless monitor lizards are extremely rare and protected by law in their native countries of Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia. Captive breeding has resulted in a modest number of earless monitor lizards being kept as pets, but they are still relatively rare and sought-after by collectors.

If you are interested in purchasing an earless monitor lizard, you may want to consider the following reptile breeders:

Cold Blooded Shop

Based in the USA, Cold Blooded Shop offers captive-bred and born earless monitor lizards with flexible payment plans. They provide live arrival guarantees and priority overnight shipping on all orders. The lizards are approximately 2-4 inches in length from head to tail, with adults growing up to 16 inches.

Reptile Direct

Reptile Direct is an online resource for reptile enthusiasts, providing comprehensive care guides for various species. While they do not sell reptiles directly, they offer detailed information on earless monitor lizard care, including habitat, temperature and lighting, food and diet, potential health issues, and behaviour and temperament.

European Zoos

A few European zoos, such as Schönbrunn Zoo in Austria, Prague Zoo in the Czech Republic, and Moscow Zoo in Russia, have initiated breeding programs for earless monitor lizards. It may be worth contacting these zoos or similar institutions in your region to inquire about potential availability.

It is important to note that exporting earless monitor lizards is currently against the law, and penalties for illegal trading can result in significant fines and imprisonment. Additionally, this species is considered endangered, and habitat loss and the pet trade pose serious threats to their survival. Therefore, it is crucial to support reputable breeders and prioritize the conservation of these fascinating creatures.

Zoos

Earless monitor lizards are native to the Southeast Asian island of Borneo and are extremely rare. They are usually considered very rare, but they can be easily overlooked. They are found in lowlands at elevations below 300 m (1,000 ft) near streams and marshes, typically in rainforests.

The first confirmed captive breeding of earless monitor lizards was at a zoo in Japan in 2014. A couple of years later, a few European zoos initiated a breeding programme. In 2017, it was bred at Schönbrunn Zoo in Austria, and in 2018 it was bred at Prague Zoo in the Czech Republic and Moscow Zoo in Russia.

If you are interested in buying an earless monitor lizard from a zoo, you should contact the zoos that have bred them in captivity, such as the zoos in Japan, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Russia. You can inquire about their availability and the process for purchasing one. It is important to note that collecting earless monitor lizards from the wild is illegal, and they are protected by law in Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia.

Wildlife trade regulations

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES) is a major international treaty that controls the movement of wild plants and animals. CITES has three categories: Appendix I, Appendix II, and Appendix III. Species in Appendix I are threatened with extinction, and commercial international trade in these species is effectively ended. Appendix II includes species that are not currently threatened with extinction but may be if trade is not strictly regulated. Species in this category can be traded for commercial reasons if it is not detrimental to the species in the wild. Appendix III contains species that are protected in at least one country, which has asked other CITES parties for help in controlling trade.

CITES does not address animal welfare, functioning more as a trade organization than a conservation organization. It also has limited scope, as it only applies to international trade and species affected by international trade. It does not apply to domestic markets or the pet trade within a single state. Additionally, CITES protection does not apply to exotic animals born in captivity.

At the national level, the Lacey Act of 1900 in the United States prohibits the transportation of illegally captured or prohibited species of wildlife across state lines. The Lacey Act was amended in 2007 by the Captive Wildlife Safety Act (CWSA) to cover certain big cat species. Violating the Lacey Act can lead to five years in federal prison and civil fines of up to $500,000.

The Animal Welfare Act (AWA) regulates the possession of warm-blooded animals for exhibition and breeding purposes, establishing standards of care. However, it does little to regulate private possession of exotic animals as pets since it only applies to commercial establishments.

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) prohibits "taking" or selling threatened or endangered species. While it does not directly regulate exotic animal pet ownership, it prevents the release of exotic animals into the wild, as owners would be liable if the exotic animal caused destruction to a threatened or endangered species.

In addition to international and national regulations, there are also state and local laws that prohibit the capture and sale of certain exotic species. However, these regulations are often poorly enforced and primarily designed to protect humans from disease rather than ensure the humane treatment of animals.

The illegal trade of wildlife is a multi-million-dollar industry, and the chances of a new exotic pet living through its first year after purchase are just over 20%. Animals suffer during capture and transport, often changing hands multiple times and enduring grueling conditions. Many die during transit or soon after reaching their destination due to inadequate care and living conditions.

The earless monitor lizard (Lanthanotus borneensis) is one such species affected by the exotic pet trade. Native to the Southeast Asian island of Borneo, it is considered rare and endangered, with a range covering less than 500 km2. Collecting this species from the wild is illegal, and penalties for violations include fines and imprisonment. Despite this, the earless monitor lizard has been traded internationally, with a pair selling for over $25,000 in Japan when it first entered the market.

Frequently asked questions