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. It cannot cover all herps commonly sold in pet stores in California, because nearly any pet herp could be an escapee, but if you think I am missing an important one, let me know. Most of these were reported to me by users of this web site who found an animal in their yard. These herps most likely either escaped or were illegally released by irresponsible owners.

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 would be a good warning to pet owners about 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 requests to identify this species of Asian Toad, which is commonly sold in pet stores, from people who have found them in their yard.

Bearded Dragon - genus Pogona

This lizard is a common pet, originally from Australia, which has been bred to have several different color variations.

Spiny-tailed Iguana - Ctenosaura sp

Blue-tongued Skink - genus Tiliqua

I have received reports of this large Australian lizard being found in someone's yard.

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 native to Cuba and the Bahamas and are established in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, South Carolina, and Texas.

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.

Green Iguana - Iguana iguana

A lizard common in the pet trade that is native to Central and South America.

House Gecko - Hemidactylus sp.

Various species of House Geckos e are often seen in pet stores. 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 established in Florida, Texas, and Hawaii.

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 form, the Sinaloan Milk Snake, has very wide orange bands.

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 and white. I have received requests to identify normal and albino corn snakes that were found on the loose. Albino corn snakes are pink or orange.

Boa Constrictor - Boa constrictor

Box Turtle - Terrapene ornata

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