Coleonyx switaki

cindy · #1 05-04-2009, 12:53 PM

Hi,

I was wondering if anybody on GU is working with C. switaki (Switak's banded gecko/ Peninsular banded gecko)
I've read that they are listed under the California Endangered Species Act, due to it's limited range. But does that mean that they only occur in the wild, or is there a small number off captive switaki's, in private collections???

Greetings,

Cindy

Sgvreptiles · #2 05-04-2009, 03:12 PM

Im sure people have them. But they dont go bosting about them. Because its a big fine I belive to be cought with them.

monitor · #3 05-04-2009, 04:16 PM

This a topic that's been on my mind lately. I don't have any interest in obtaining C. switaki for my personal collection, but I came across some old books that I got when I first started keeping reptiles, TFH books to be precise, and these mention switaki being kept in private collections and one even mentions switaki as being a good alternative choice to Leopard geckoes for those wanting to work with Eublepharids.
Given it's protected species status in California, and the difficulty of exporting animals out of Mexico, I was wondering if there are any legal, CB ones available in the US? If these exist in the world trade, then I would expect them to be in either Dutch or German collections, but I haven't seen anything to confirm this.

Kindest regards,
Alex

alecfeldman · #4 05-05-2009, 12:48 PM

There actually are people who own and breed these in captivity under old permits. I dont know of anyone who has received permission lately. These are a VERY endangered animal in the U.S. You really have to know where to look and when. Temps and humidity have to be perfect for them to be out and they are limited to very small areas. A close friend of mine finds them 3-5 times a year. But he field herps constantly for work (he's a field biologist/herpetologist). I myself have looked for these animals for over 25 years and have yet to see one in the wild, in person. That is saying a lot, since I used to field herp 20-30 times every season. So there is good reason that they are protected. They absolutely should not be removed from the wild. As far as Switaki being a sub for leopard geckos as pets. Though the care would be similar ... That is like comparing Naultinus to House Geckos. Here is a pic of one that my buddy found last season:

cindy · #5 05-05-2009, 02:29 PM

Wow, he's indeed one lucky guy!!!! Thanks for posting that picture!

I've seen some other pics off switaki's, and noticed that there's quite some variety in their pattern. Although that's not what I expected, since they inhabit only a small region in the US.

Since there's only a small population; you'd think they would set up a breeding project to increase their numbers....

For example, in Holland there's Cricetus cricetus ( a wild hamster). Around 1999 they only existed in a small part off our country (Limburg) and were on the brink off extinction. The remaining animals were than captured and spread through out different breeding stations. With the help off zoologist's and a financiel injection (around 1,8 miljon euro's), the population was bred to healthy numbers again, and the hamsters were released back in their natural habitat.

Why don't you join your friend next time, during his field trips??? Perhaps you'll spot some switaki's than!

Kind regards,

Cindy

alecfeldman · #6 05-06-2009, 01:01 PM

Cindy - I actually am in the Switaki spot with him all the time. For some reason... on those nights we never find any!!!

As for C. Reticulatus ... follow this link:

Geckos of the Southwestern United States

chuckwalla · #7 05-09-2009, 04:31 PM

Hi Alec,

It's my opinion that there should be some distinction made between endangered and rarely seen in regards to C. switaki in the US. There is little indication that these geckos are actually endangered (= threatened with extiction). They are, however, rarely encountered. Think about the area(s) where they are known to occur in the US, a large area comprised of many square miles of open desert. Known localites can be seperated by miles and miles of suitable habitat. Unfortunately, even if large tracts of known C. switaki habitat was being bulldozed, it would be a challenge to prove that such a secretive/cryptic species was actually endangered as a result.

I do agree that these guys should not be collected from the wild. Unregulated collection of C. switaki could definitely put a pinch on certain populations.

Cheers
Roberto