Are you captivated by the swift movements, curious expressions, and vibrant colors of lizards? Thinking about welcoming one into your home? You might be wondering which lizard breeds you’re likely to encounter at your local pet store or reptile expo. We’re here to help you explore the fascinating world of pet lizards!
We’ve compiled a list of ten of the most common lizard types kept as pets to help you learn more and decide if one of these amazing creatures is the right addition to your family.
Before diving into the different types, let’s quickly assess if your home is truly ready for a pet lizard. Consider this checklist before making your final decision:
- Space for a Terrarium: Do you have sufficient space in your home to accommodate a terrarium? Lizards need a dedicated habitat to thrive.
- Elevated and Safe Location: Can the terrarium be placed on a stable, elevated surface, away from potential hazards like dogs or young children? Safety for both your pet and your household is key.
- Live Food Tolerance: Are you comfortable with feeding live food such as insects or mice to your pet lizard? Many lizards require a diet that includes live prey.
- Child’s Age and Responsibility: Are your children old enough to understand and follow safe handling guidelines for reptiles? Hygiene and gentle interaction are crucial when owning lizards.
- Time Commitment: Do you have the time and dedication to provide proper care, attention, and love to a new pet lizard? Lizards, like all pets, need consistent care.
If you answered ‘yes’ to these questions, then you’re well-prepared to discover some of the most popular and fascinating lizard breeds that make wonderful pets.
10 Fantastic Lizard Types to Consider as Pets
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Bearded Dragon: Often affectionately called “beardies,” Bearded Dragons originate from Australia. Their remarkable adaptability to varying temperatures and humidity levels makes them an excellent choice for reptile beginners and seasoned enthusiasts alike. Bearded dragons are known for their generally calm and friendly demeanor, making them quite popular. As omnivores, their diet is diverse, including insects, mealworms, and plant-based foods like collard greens and dandelion greens.
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Chameleon: The Chameleon family is incredibly diverse, boasting over 200 different species, including popular choices like the Veiled Chameleon, Jackson’s Chameleon, and Pygmy Chameleon. The Veiled Chameleon, native to Saudi Arabia and Yemen, is often considered the most amenable to human interaction within this group. However, Chameleons are generally not fond of excessive handling and are best appreciated within their terrariums. Occasional, brief handling, such as allowing them to walk across your fingers onto a branch, is sufficient interaction. Veiled Chameleons are insectivorous, thriving on a diet of crickets, mealworms, superworms, waxworms, and roaches, supplemented with essential calcium and vitamins.
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Crested Gecko: Hailing from the islands of New Caledonia, Crested Geckos are undeniably charming and have become a favorite among reptile keepers. They are known to tolerate and even enjoy gentle handling, often relishing the opportunity to explore on your hand or arm. Their docile nature and ease of care make them a suitable pet, particularly for families with older children who can handle them responsibly. Crested Geckos are omnivorous and flourish on a specialized commercial gecko diet, supplemented with feeder insects like crickets and mealworms, and occasional treats of diced tropical fruits.
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Green Anole: You’ll commonly spot Green and Brown Anoles darting around the southern United States, especially in states like Georgia and South Carolina. While not aggressive, their speed and agility make them more suited for observation than handling. Their quick movements provide entertainment, but they are not ideal for petting or holding. Green Anoles are best suited for patient teenagers or adults who appreciate observing their natural behaviors. Their diet primarily consists of insects and spiders, with small crickets being a staple.
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Iguana: Unlike many lizards that remain relatively small, Iguanas can grow to impressive sizes, reaching lengths of three to six feet and weighing up to 20 pounds. Native to Central and South America, they are best suited for adult owners who can manage their size and be mindful of their sharp claws. While generally calm, Iguanas can bite if they feel threatened or provoked, and their bite can be quite painful. Iguanas are herbivores with a preference for leafy greens, flowers, and fruits, including dark leafy greens, dandelions, clover, marigolds, apple blossoms, bell peppers, and cucumbers. Commercial pelleted iguana food can also be a part of their diet.
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Leopard Gecko: Originating from the Middle Eastern regions of Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, and India, Leopard Geckos are renowned for their hardiness and calm temperament. This makes them a consistently popular choice in pet stores, especially for first-time reptile owners. 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 gut-loaded cricket drink to ensure they receive all necessary vitamins and minerals.
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Monitor: The Monitor lizard family includes approximately 80 diverse species found in the grasslands, savannahs, and rocky landscapes of Africa, Asia, and Oceania. The Savannah Monitor is a suitable pet choice for experienced adult reptile keepers who can dedicate significant time and patience to their care. With gentle and consistent handling from a young age, Savannah Monitors can become docile and calm as adults. Dietary needs vary among monitor species, with some being carnivores. Savannah Monitors kept as pets thrive on an insect-based diet consisting of crickets, mealworms, waxworms, and roaches.
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Skink (Blue Tongue): Blue-Tongue Skinks are native to the woodlands and fields of Australia, New Guinea, and Indonesia. As juveniles, they can be initially timid and cautious around humans. However, with consistent gentle interaction, such as allowing them to walk on your hands, they mature into docile and rewarding adult pets. Blue-Tongue Skinks are omnivores. In captivity, they enjoy a varied diet of chopped carrots, mustard greens, dandelion greens, crickets, mealworms, and waxworms, offering a balanced mix of plant and animal matter.
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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 areas like Florida. Tegus are generally docile, but their potential to grow up to four feet in length makes them best suited for experienced reptile handlers who can provide adequate space and care. These lizards are omnivores with a broad diet including fruits, ground-nesting bird eggs, smaller reptiles, and rodents, reflecting their opportunistic feeding habits in the wild.
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Uromastyx: The Uromastyx, also known as “Uro” or Dabb Lizard, is the final lizard on our list. Native to northern Africa, the Middle East, and south-central Asia, Uromastyx lizards are celebrated for their gentle nature. However, it’s worth noting that they may exhibit a tail whip or a vocal hiss if startled, particularly while resting. Uromastyx lizards are primarily herbivores, enjoying a diet of mixed greens such as dandelion, collard, mustard, turnip, endive, and bok choy leaves, often supplemented with 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 fully set-up reptile habitat ready and a supply of appropriate food on hand. This will ensure a smoother and less stressful transition for both you and your new reptilian companion.
As you consider which type of lizard might be the perfect pet for your household, remember to explore resources like guides on Lizard & Gecko Facts to deepen your understanding of their specific habitat needs, safe handling techniques, and proper feeding practices.
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