Escaped Pet Herps Reported in California

This page will list names and, if I have them, show pictures of herps common in the pet trade which have been found in the wild in California, but which are not on our list of Non-native Reptiles and Amphibians Established in California. Most of these have been found in residential areas where more herps are kept in captivity.

I cannot cover every species of reptile and amphibian commonly kept as pets in California, because nearly any pet herp could be an escapee, but if you think I am missing an important one, let me know. Many of these were reported to me by users of this web site who found an animal in their yard, but some I have read about elsewhere.

These herps most likely either escaped or were illegally released by irresponsible owners. The pet trade in herps is booming and unless fewer herps are purchased by more responsible pet owners there will be many more abandoned or escaped herps found in the state. This could lead to more established non-native herp species in the state..

Unfortunately, I do not have pictures of many of these animals, and some of the pictures I have been sent are of animals which were killed by humans or their cats and dogs and I don't want to show their mangled dead bodies, although it would be a good warning to pet owners showing what can happen to pets that escape or are released. If I do not have pictures, I will try to link to another page on the internet where you can see pictures of these herps.

I will continue to add more names and pictures as I receive them.

If you find a pet herp in the wild in California, even if you identify it here or elsewhere, l'd like to hear about it and add it here if necessary. You can send email here.

Fire-bellied Toad - genus Bombina

© Brian Merget
I have received a few requests from people who have found this Asian toad in their yard to identify the species for them. This toad is commonly sold in pet stores, and is a popular pet.

Fire-bellied Newt Genus Cynops

Common in the pet trade:
Cynops orientalis - Chinese Fire-bellied Newt
Cynops pyrrhogaster - Japanese Fire-bellied Newt

I have heard that this species has been released into the wild in southern California and in the Bay Area and could be established at one location.

Spiny-tailed Iguana - Ctenosaura sp.

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Brown Anole - Anolis (Norpos) sagrei
© Charlie Wheeler

I have received reports of these lizards, which can be found in pet stores, seen running wild in yards in Southern California where they might even be breeding. They are often purchased not as pets, but to feed lizard-eating snakes. They are native to Cuba and the Bahamas and are established in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, South Carolina, and Texas.

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Green Anole - Anolis carolinensis

These lizards are commonly found in pet stores. They are native to the southeast USA and farther south. Their color varies from bright green to brown. They are often purchased not as pets, but to feed lizard-eating snakes.

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Green Iguana - Iguana iguana

A large lizard native to Central and South America that is common in the pet trade. Adults growup to several feet in length. Juveniles are bright green.

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House Gecko - Hemidactylus spp.

Various species of House Geckos e are often seen for sale in pet stores. Some stores are known to have thriving populations of the geckos roaming freely. They are often purchased not as pets, but to feed lizard-eating snakes. There are a few species which are not easy to tell apart. The Common House Gecko and the Indo-Pacific House Gecko are both native to South and Southeast Asia and are known to be established in Florida, Texas, and Hawaii.

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Milk Snake - Lampropeltis triangulum

Milk snakes are common pets. I have received several reports of milksnakes found in yards, and one on a hiking trail. Unfortunately, this harmless snake is often mistaken for the venomous coral snake, which does not occur in California, and it is killed for no good reason.

Milksnakes are variable in appearance, but most have black, white, and red, or orange, bands. One common pet, the Sinaloan Milk Snake, has very wide orange bands.

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Corn Snake - Elaphe guttata

Corn snakes have been very common in the pet trade for many years. There are many variations and colors, including albinos, which are pink or orange. I have received requests to identify normal and albino corn snakes that were found on the loose.

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Boa Constrictor (Red-tailed Boa) - Boa constrictor

Native to South America north to Mexico, and a very popular pet snake. Sometimes they escape or are released when their owners tire of them. They have been found in backyards and even out in the country where they were released.

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Box Turtle - Terrapene ornata

I received a report of a box turtle on the loose in someone's yard.

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