Bringing a small lizard on an airline???

Im flying home from florida in a few days and a friend of mine gave my son a giant day gecko. Can i just put it in a small container in my carry on? What are the airlines rules for this kind of thing?

I have no idea about US regs on taking a living animal on a plane, so I can't address legalities, but I'm presuming that all carry-on luggage is X-rayed - if so it will be seen, so I don't recommend smuggling.

Having said that - where I live, the smaller airports don't have X-ray machines, and I have taken small snakes on short flights - I have used a tupperware box drilled with airholes inside a canvas (i.e., air permeable) sports bag on my knee without a problem....

I was thinking in a small tupperware in my cargo shorts pocket.

Best bet would be to call the airline and simply ask or check online , each airline probably has different rules. Some might let you and keep under your seat, some won't allow pets in the cabin at all but say they can go as cargo, or some might not allow animals at all. There may be additional fees as well.

For instance, here is a link to Delta's rules regarding pets:
http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_...avel-faqs.html

Might be easier and cheaper to simply ship the lizard to your home, assuming someone would be there to get it when it arrives, or send to a friend in your home town.

I wouldn't try to carry it on you if it isn't technically allowed. If you get stuck into one of those full body scanners you will be in big trouble.

I definitely don't recommend bringing a live animal on board in your clothing or carry on. That could cause you a lot of trouble, and technically would be smuggling. You could be delayed, the animal could be confiscated, and possibly destroyed. No good result regardless.

That was pretty common back in the 90's, but not after 2001.

What did you end up doing? (If it's not incriminating....)