Can You legally Keep A Horned Lizard In Utah?

Spring in Utah has brought out a lot of creatures, specifically an abundance of lizards.  

If you were anything like me as a kid, catching lizards was a full-time hobby and I had a deep love for horny toads. Their real name is Greater short-horned lizard.  

As a kid (in Arizona), I always tried to keep a few as pets. I even had a special lizard-friendly container where I shoved a few of them once caught. I did my best to keep them happy but...when it seemed like they didn’t like being in the container I let them go.  

So, if you have the bright idea to grab some and take them home in Utah, think again.  

You can legally do so but there are some requirements outlined by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. To take home a horned lizard, you must complete an orientation and secure a permit.  

Read More Here: Utah's List Of Wildest Animals You Can Own

These may be wild critters that you find in your backyard, but the DWR takes these creature’s wellbeing very seriously (as they should).  

Once you have done the orientation and secured a permit, you can then go out and grab a few. Since this is one of Utah’s controlled species, there is a daily and yearly limit on what someone can possess. For greater short-horned lizards the cap is three a day and nine of them total yearly.  

This is true for several of Utah’s lizards and some snakes. Ornate tree lizards, garter snakes, Canyon treefrogs and the red-spotted toad are just a few examples of reptiles you can take home.  

Just make sure you have met all the requirements.