Review by Kathy Lyon (Click on stars for an explanation)

This book is Out of Print.

Desert lizards have gained popularity as captive pets and study animals. Simulation of the desert environment and correct feeding is essential in maintaining these animals in reproductive condition. This book covers some of the natural history, care in captivity, and reproduction. Deserts worldwide are home to lizards, including the deserts of the United States, Mexico, South America, Africa, and the Middle East.

Desert habitat is harsh and does not support large populations, so care of those already in captivity is essential to prevent collectors from destroying wild populations for pet consumption. Captive breeding is one hope of keeping some of these species alive.

The photos are superb, and may work against these rare creatures by making them more appealing to collectors.

The book is strictly captive care and reproduction. Veterinary care is virtually non-existent in this book. The book contains a wealth of information on housing, cages, containment structures, substrate, and general husbandry. There is a chapter on feeding, but there is limited reference in the text as to the correct diet for some species. I remember reading some time ago that horned lizards of the United States desert were found to be eating only those ants that lived in their immediate vicinity. I was not able to find any information to confirm or refute this. In fact, I wasn't able to find any reference at all as to what their diet should be. When referring to the index for Diet, I found text referring the reader to individual chapters, but in scanning the chapters, not all reveal the correct diet for that species.

This book no doubt directs most of its information for species identification. I hope that some future revision will elaborate on the more specific aspects (and difficulty) of lizard-keeping.

Krieger Publishing (2003),

Malabar, Florida. Hardcover, 130 pages, numerous color photographs.

ISBN: 1-57524-160-9.