This guy was found locally and was offered to me.

[Craiga 01453]

According to a quick Google search...

They are on the CITES protected list. Not endangered.

If they're commonly being sold locally at shows, there are obviously more than 200 in the world.

[ladywhipple02]

Mexican Beaded lizards are considered threatened due to poaching and illegal trade. They are covered by CITES.

Gila Monsters are considered "near-threatened" but not covered by CITES.

[ladywhipple02]

Mexican Beaded lizards are considered threatened due to poaching and illegal trade. They are covered by CITES.

Gila Monsters are considered "near-threatened" but not covered by CITES.



The "200 in the world" may have come from wikipedia - it states that there are less than 200 left specifically in the country of Guatemala, which is why it's on the CITES list.

Eh, sorry for the double post, I messed up somewhere!

[mdb730]

You are referring to Heloderma charlesbogerti aka Guatemala beaded lizard which is a subspecies of Heloderma horridum (Mexican beaded Lizard) which is what is found in the pet trade here and not on CITES list last time I checked. Point being if you are allowed to keep venomous herps in your state you are allowed to keep this lizard if you want.

[Skyrivers]

I'm confused....

Was it "found locally"?

Or was there "a guy that had him"?

The animal shelter had someone turn him in when they found him in their yard. He is clearly an escapee pet.

[Skyrivers]

Thanks everyone for chiming in. Like I said, I know almost nothing about them. He is going to the local zoo. He will be well cared for.

[Ian14]

Mexican Beaded lizards are considered threatened due to poaching and illegal trade. They are covered by CITES.

Gila Monsters are considered "near-threatened" but not covered by CITES.

All Heloderma species are CITES listed under Appendix II.
Heloderma horridum charlesbogarti is given additional protection as it is in Appendix I.

[Bogertophis]

Anyway, the local zoo is a great outcome. good call...

Taking on a venomous or other difficult species on the spur of the moment without first researching & being really ready for it is asking for problems.
And it may have health issues too, you can't assume it's even healthy.