Japalura Splendida - Purchasing A Japalura Splendida

Purchasing A Japalura Splendida

The Japalura is only recently hitting pet stores in the United States as of the addition to this article (June 2009) and many pet stores do not carry care sheets for this particular type of reptile because little is known about them. However, the care of the Japalura is similar to that of the Chinese Water Dragon (a member of the Physignatus genus). When purchasing a Japalura, look for the following signs of health:

-Body weight to size. Does the lizard look emaciated or well fed?
-Make sure there are no skin disfigurements or wounds, such as bite marks.
-The lizard's eyes should be clear, wide open, and not half closed or sunken into the head.
j-Look for mites. Lizards can carry these parasites, and they are difficult to exterminate as they tend to hide beneath the scales of the reptile.
-Examine the lizard's bone structure for any abnormalities in the tail, spine or pelvis which may indicate prior injury or a calcium deficiency.
-Observe the lizard to be sure it can effectively climb and walk in its habitat.
-If possible, have a fecal sample taken to the local herpetologist to check for any parasites. Many of the lizards available at pet stores are not captive bred and have been taken from the wild. Therefore, they may have parasites in the intestinal tract.

You can hold them, though they do tend to be skittish. Exercise caution when trying to catch one to pick it up as the tail can come detached and it does not grow back. They generally do not bite unless stressed or defending their eggs.