Lock, Brad

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The University of Kansas: Journals@KU

20 IGUANA  •  VOLUME 15, NUMBER 1  •  MARCH 2008 LOCKDetail of the external appearance of one hide area constructed for Guatemalan Beaded Lizards (Heloderma horridum charlesbogerti) atZoo Atlanta. The plastic tube connects to the deep shelter surrounded by flat stones.In the ongoing effort to reproduce potential founder animalsat Zoo Atlanta, we have recently modified an outdoor enclo-sure to hold our Guatemalan Beaded Lizards (Heloderma hor-ridum charlesbogerti). The captive reproduction of these speci-mens is an important part of the overall “Project Heloderma”program for Zoo Atlanta and its partners, the InternationalReptile Conservation Foundation and Zootropic. Our lonefemale and our three males were wild-caught adults whenbrought into captivity and are of unknown ages. Thus, withevery year that goes by, they get that much closer to being non-reproductive. In addition, the female has had two surgeries toremove cystic (fluid filled, non-viable) follicles from her ovaries.The good news is that prior to the surgeries that removed thediseased follicles she had not produced any eggs — but has sinceovulated successfully. In 2005, she produced six yellow, non-cal-cified, and non-viable eggs, and, in 2006, she produced foursimilar eggs.To no one’s surprise, when the lizards were placed outsidein the sun, their behavior changed to more closely reflect that oftheir wild counterparts. With that information, all five animalsThe Guatemalan Beaded Lizard Breeding Program at Zoo AtlantaBrad LockZoo AtlantaPhotographs by Jason Brock, Zoo AtlantaIGUANA  •  VOLUME 15, NUMBER 1  •  MARCH 2008 21GUATEMALAN BEADED LIZARDOutdoor habitat for Guatemalan Beaded Lizards (Heloderma horridum charlesbogerti) at Zoo Atlanta.were placed outside this past June. The enclosure and the hideareas were designed to “resemble” some of the structures we hadseen in their native habitat in Guatemala. The hide areas weredug into the ground so that a cool, dark, humid environmentwas created. Logs and grasses were placed in the enclosure forsecurity and to provide climbing structures. After a very short22 IGUANA  •  VOLUME 15, NUMBER 1  •  MARCH 2008 LOCKMale Guatemalan Beaded Lizard taking advantage of a sunny patchfor basking on a cool morning.The outdoor Guatemalan Beaded Lizard enclosure showing the hide areas and logs used for climbing.IGUANA  •  VOLUME 15, NUMBER 1  •  MARCH 2008 23GUATEMALAN BEADED LIZARD(2–3 day) exploration period, during which the lizards were con-stantly on the move, tongue-flicking every inch of the enclosureand the structures within it, they settled into a routine. This rou-tine, however, was much different than the behaviors observedin their indoor enclosures. Inside, lizards moved very infre-quently and were very docile in interactions with the staff.Outside, they would lie at the entrances to their hide areas untilthe sun struck the enclosure, and then they would bask for a fewhours, especially on cool mornings. If a person entered theenclosure when a lizard was out exploring, that animal would“run” very quickly to a shelter and “dive in.” In addition, if theentrance to a hide was blocked, the animal would rear up andgive an open-mouthed hiss.All of these new behaviors were great! In September themales began to fight, and were observed copulating with thefemale. Soon, she was evidently gravid and ultrasound revealedlarge follicles, but without the extra fluid usually seen in hercoelomic cavity. In the previous two years, when she had largefollicles or eggs present, she retained a large amount of fluidalong with them. This time, however, she did not. An ultra-sound a few weeks later revealed six shelled eggs. Over a four-week period in late September and November, she laid six eggs,and four appeared viable. Those four were very white in colorand had nicely calcified shells. Unfortunately, none of the eggshad the blood spot that is present within a day or two and sig-nifies viability. Over the next three to four weeks, no develop-ment was observed and the eggs contracted.During the upcoming breeding season, we will place all ofthe animals in outdoor enclosures in the early spring and leavethem there until fall. We are very excited that this year will bethe year during which the first fertile eggs are produced in cap-tivity. Stay tuned.Detail of the hide area. They are dug into the ground to provide a cool,humid, and dark shelter.Guatemalan Beaded Lizards have relatively small eggs. This is an eggfrom 2007 that is the normal white color with a nicely calcified shell.

The Guatemalan Beaded Lizard Breeding Program at Zoo Atlanta

Biodiversity Informatics

https://journals.ku.edu/iguana/article/download/17747/16007

The Guatemalan Beaded Lizard Breeding Program at Zoo Atlanta

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The University of Kansas: Journals@KU

Biodiversity Informatics