Bonus content from the July 2011 REPTILES magazine article "A Desert Dweller in Need of Heat."
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Wildlife laws and regulations are often changed, and in ways they are as unpredictable as the weather. As of this writing, desert iguanas are not listed as endangered or threatened, but their legal collection for non-commercial purposes is controlled by the states in which they are found. Below is a summary of pertinent laws regarding the collection and ownership of desert iguanas.
CALIFORNIA
To download a pdf file of the current regulations, go to the Department of Fish and Game website (http://www.dfg.ca.gov/), click on the Hunting and Sport Fishing Regulations link and click on the link labeled "Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations BOOKLET (PDF)."
C.C.R. T14, Chapter 2, Article 4, Section 5.60
(a) General Provisions: Only the following reptiles may be taken under the authority of a sportfishing license, subject to the restrictions in this section. The limit for each of the species listed below is two, unless otherwise provided. Limit, as used in this section, means daily bag and possession limit. No reptiles shall be taken from ecological reserves designated by the commission in Section 630 or from state parks, or national parks or monuments.
(5) Desert iguana (Dipsosaurus dorsalis)
ARIZONA
A.R.S. 17-331
A. Except as provided by this title or commission order, a person shall not take any wildlife in this state without a valid license or a commission approved proof of purchase. The person shall carry the license or proof of purchase and produce it upon request to any game ranger, wildlife manager or peace officer.
Desert iguana (Dipsosaurus dorsalis) — Bag limit of four per year.
NEVADA
N.R.S. 501.105, 501.181, 504.295; N.A.C. 504.461 2011 & 2012 Noncommercial Collection Seasons & Limits for Live, Unprotected Reptiles & Amphibians Commission Regulation 11-02.
Desert iguana (Dipsosaurus dorsalis) — Bag limit of two per year.
UTAH
R657-53-19: (1) Reptiles are classified as follows:
(iv) Desert iguana, Iguanidae Family (Dipsosaurus dorsalis) is prohibited for collection, and controlled for importation and possession.
