Atomic Lizard Ranch is a nine acre captive breeding facility owned and operated by Paul & Collette Latimer since 1993. Located at the very southeast corner of Arizona bordering on Mexico; the local habitat consists of dry grassland to high desert, making it a perfect area for the outdoor habitation of the Inland Bearded Dragon, Rankins Dragon and other easy to keep lizards for the home hobbyist.  Here at the ranch we stress comfort, space, cleanliness and highly nutritional food for our animals. Since we live in the high desert, so far out of the way, we grow our own greens and raise most of our own insects. During July through September the monsoon season occurs which produces an abundance of grasshoppers and other insects which find their way into our enclosures.

 

In California during the winter of 1991 a friend introduced various species of reptiles to my husband and I. One of the many types we kept and studied during that time was the Inland Bearded Dragon (Pagona vittcap). At that time, they were hard to find but we managed to acquire seven babies, all of them the normal colored phase.

As our hobby progressed we bred the animals putting a classified ad in Reptile Magazine to sell the surplus by spring. Even during the recession we continued building different environments for various species we were studying and keeping.

We owned a large 120 year old Dutch Row House which was rapidly becoming filled inside and out with enclosures suitable for the animals. Then a friend of ours took us on a short trip to Arizona to the beautiful little mining town of Bisbee.

This area is ideal for raising more arid species such as, the simple to keep, Leopard Gecko (Eublepharis macularius). The recession had hit this area of Arizona deeply. Land and housing prices at an all time low. That is when the idea of Atomic Lizard Ranch came into being.

We then began to look for land along with a residence we could build upon to make a small business, something out of the way with plenty of land to house the animals outside, yet close enough to Bisbee.

Around that time, it came to us that the arid and grassland species were the animals we enjoyed working with the most with the exception of some of the larger teids. The magnificent Red Tegus (Lubinambia refescans) and the Black & White Tegus (Lubinambis teguixin). We found a beautiful spot three miles from the Mexican border with clean water, open skies and incredible sunsets. Ideal for the two Dragons we love the most, the Rankins Dragon (Pagona brevis), sometimes still known as Henrii Lawsoni and the Inland Bearded Dragon.
 
 

Meet the Owners of Atomic Lizard Ranch

Paul & Collette Latimer...

Collette & Blondi

About Collette :

Collette is very open, friendly, happy go lucky and independent. At the ranch she handles all the customer service, when she's not on the phone helping someone out with their reptiles she's the matchmaker that makes all the lizard breeding possible.
 
 

Paul holding an Argentine Red Tegu

About Paul :

Paul is very laid back observant , innovative and creative . He uses his love of nature and creative skills to come up with cage designs and solve the day to day problems of running the ranch .When he isn't busy designing and maintaining the the reptile enclosures he enjoys playing jazz and blues on his guitar .
 
 

Paul & Collette can be reached by phone or fax (520)432-9161
Or by snail mail at :

Atomic Lizard Ranch
P.O. Box 5644
Bisbee , Az. 85603