Are you captivated by the swift movements, curious eyes, and vibrant colors of lizards? Wondering which types you might encounter at your local pet store or reptile expo? You’ve come to the right place!
We’ve compiled a list of the top ten most common Pet Lizard Types for you to explore and consider welcoming into your family.
Before you get started, is your home truly ready for a pet lizard? Let’s run through a quick checklist to help you make the right decision.
- Do you have adequate space in your home for a terrarium suitable for a lizard?
- Can the terrarium be placed on a stable, elevated surface, away from potential hazards like dogs or young children?
- Are you comfortable with the idea of feeding live food, such as insects or mice, to your pet lizard?
- Are your children mature enough to understand and follow safe handling guidelines for reptiles? (Remember, hand washing and gentle handling are essential when interacting with lizards!)
- Do you have the time and dedication to properly care for and enjoy a new pet lizard?
If you answered ‘yes’ to all of these questions, then let’s delve into some of the most popular and fascinating varieties of pet lizard types available.
10 Popular Pet Lizard Types to Consider
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Bearded Dragon
Bearded dragons, often affectionately called “beardies,” originate from Australia. Their remarkable ability to adapt to varying temperatures and humidity levels makes them an excellent choice for first-time reptile owners. Bearded dragons are known for their calm and friendly temperament. These omnivorous lizards enjoy a varied diet of both plant and animal matter, including insects, mealworms, and leafy greens like collard and dandelion greens. -
Chameleon
The chameleon family is incredibly diverse, encompassing over 200 different species. Popular choices include the veiled chameleon, Jackson’s chameleon, and pygmy chameleon. The veiled chameleon, native to Saudi Arabia and Yemen, is considered one of the most amicable. Chameleons are generally not fond of being handled and are best observed within their terrarium. Occasional, brief handling, such as allowing them to walk across your fingers onto a nearby branch, is sufficient interaction. Veiled chameleons are insectivores and thrive on a diet of crickets, mealworms, superworms, waxworms, and roaches, supplemented with calcium and vitamins. -
Crested Gecko
The charming crested gecko hails from the island of New Caledonia. They are known to tolerate and even enjoy gentle handling, appreciating the opportunity to explore on your hand or arm. Their docile and manageable nature makes crested geckos a great pet lizard type for families with older children. Crested geckos are omnivorous and flourish on a commercial gecko diet, supplemented with feeder insects like crickets and mealworms, and occasional treats of diced tropical fruits. -
Green Anole
You can spot brown and green anoles darting around the southern regions of the United States, including states like Georgia and South Carolina. While not aggressive, green anoles are incredibly quick, making them captivating to watch but challenging to handle. Due to their speed, they are best suited for patient teenagers or adults who are content to observe rather than constantly interact physically. Anoles are insectivores, feeding on insects and spiders, with small crickets being a favorite. -
Iguana
Unlike many pet lizard types that remain small, iguanas can grow to impressive lengths of three to six feet and weigh up to 20 pounds. Native to Central and South America, iguanas are suitable pets for adults who are aware of their size and sharp claws. They are generally calm but can bite if provoked, and their bite can be quite painful. Iguanas are herbivores with a preference for leafy greens, flowers, and fruits such as dark leafy greens, dandelions, clover, marigolds, apple blossoms, bell peppers, and cucumbers. You can also supplement their diet with commercially available iguana pellets. -
Leopard Gecko
This popular pet lizard type originates from Middle Eastern countries including Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, and India. Leopard geckos are renowned for being hardy and docile, making them a consistently popular choice in pet stores. In their natural habitat, leopard geckos are insectivores. As pets, they thrive on a diet of crickets, mealworms, waxworms, superworms, and roaches, ideally supplemented with nutrient-rich cricket gut load. -
Monitor
Approximately 80 different species of monitor lizards inhabit the grasslands, savannahs, and rocky landscapes of Africa, Asia, and Oceania. The savannah monitor is a good pet lizard type option for experienced adults who can dedicate significant time and patience to their care. When handled gently from a young age, savannah monitors generally become docile and calm adults. Some monitor species are carnivores, while others are omnivores. Savannah monitors kept as pets do well on an insect-based diet of crickets, mealworms, waxworms, and roaches. -
Skink (Blue Tongue)
Blue-tongue skinks are naturally found in the woodlands and fields of Australia, New Guinea, and Indonesia. As juveniles, skinks may appear timid and wary around humans. However, with consistent gentle interaction, such as allowing them to walk on your hands, they mature into docile adult pets. The blue-tongue skink is an omnivore. In captivity, they enjoy a varied diet including chopped carrots, mustard greens, dandelion greens, crickets, mealworms, and waxworms. -
Tegu
Tegus are South and Central American lizards commonly found in Brazil, Paraguay, and northern Argentina. Argentine black and white tegus, red tegus, and gold tegus can also be found in Florida. Tegus are generally docile but can grow up to four feet long, making them more suitable for experienced reptile keepers. These lizards are omnivores, consuming a diverse diet of fruits, eggs from ground-nesting birds, smaller reptiles, and rodents. -
Uromastyx
The final pet lizard type on our list is the uromastyx, also known as a “uro” or dabb lizard. They are native to northern Africa, the Middle East, and south-central Asia. Uromastyx lizards are known for their gentle nature. However, they may exhibit a tail whip or audible gasp if startled while resting. Uromastyx are primarily herbivores, enjoying a diet of mixed greens such as dandelion, collard, mustard, turnip, endive, and bok choy leaves, with a sprinkle of grated squash, carrots, or sweet potato. They also appreciate grass seed, safflower seeds, and an occasional cricket as a treat.
Quick Tip: Before bringing your new pet lizard home, ensure you have a properly set up reptile habitat ready and food readily available. This will make the transition smoother for both you and your new reptile companion.
As you consider which pet lizard type might be the best fit for your household (the options are truly fantastic!), explore our comprehensive guide on Lizard & Gecko Facts to learn more about their specific habitat requirements, safe handling techniques, and feeding guidelines.
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