If you’re captivated by exotic pets and considering a scaly companion, lizards can be an excellent choice. They offer a unique pet ownership experience, distinct from the usual furry friends. However, it’s crucial to understand that lizards require specialized care. As ectothermic creatures, they depend on their environment to regulate their body temperature. Therefore, creating a habitat that provides both warm basking spots and cooler zones is essential for their well-being.
This guide is designed to help you navigate the world of pet lizards and identify the best options, especially if you’re a beginner. We will explore various lizard species that are known for being relatively easy to care for. You’ll discover their specific care needs, dietary preferences, and ideal habitats. Furthermore, we’ll discuss essential factors to consider before welcoming a lizard into your home and common pitfalls to avoid, ensuring a healthy and happy life for your new pet.
Exploring the Best Pet Lizards for Beginners
The lizard family is incredibly diverse, with each species having unique needs. Understanding these needs is paramount, particularly for first-time lizard owners. Below, we delve into some of the most recommended lizard species for beginners, outlining their characteristics, care requirements, dietary habits, habitat essentials, and the advantages and disadvantages of each.
1. Leopard Gecko: The Gentle and Popular Choice
Leopard Geckos, affectionately known as “Leos,” consistently rank as one of the top reptile choices for beginners. Their care is generally straightforward, making them manageable for newcomers to reptile keeping. Leos are known for their docile and inquisitive personalities, making them engaging pets to observe. Adding to their appeal, they come in a stunning array of colors, patterns, and morphs, offering plenty of variety for enthusiasts.
Unlike many geckos, Leopard Geckos are nocturnal and primarily terrestrial, meaning they spend most of their time on the ground and are less inclined to climb vertical surfaces. This characteristic often makes them easier to handle and tame. Another distinctive feature of Leos is their eyelids, which are uncommon among geckos. For housing, a minimum 10-gallon tank is suitable, but a larger enclosure is always beneficial to provide more space. Standard fish tanks (without water, of course) work well. Maintaining proper humidity is important; you can help your Leo hydrate and shed properly by offering shallow, lukewarm water soaks for 10-15 minutes, once or twice a week, or more frequently during shedding periods. Regular tank cleaning is also necessary, especially when your gecko is shedding.
Leopard Geckos are insectivores, with insects forming the cornerstone of their diet. They should be fed daily or every other day with a variety of insects such as crickets, mealworms, superworms, and dubia roaches. Always ensure fresh water is available for your Leo.
2. Bearded Dragon: The Friendly and Docile Companion
Bearded Dragons are celebrated for their calm and friendly temperament, making them exceptionally well-suited for handling, even by beginners. Their docile nature means aggressive behavior is rarely seen. While they are generally easygoing in terms of handling, their dietary and environmental needs are slightly more involved than Leopard Geckos.
A larger tank is necessary for Bearded Dragons, with a 55-75 gallon tank being ideal for adults. While juveniles can start in smaller tanks, they grow quickly and will soon require more space. As semi-arboreal lizards, they appreciate climbing opportunities, so a secure tank, especially at the top, is important. Maintaining the correct temperature gradient is crucial for Bearded Dragons. The basking spot should be around 95-105 degrees Fahrenheit, with a cooler side of the tank ranging from 80-85 degrees Fahrenheit. Nighttime temperatures can drop to 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Bearded Dragons are omnivores, requiring a balanced diet of both insects and plant matter. They should be fed daily, with insects being a primary food source, especially for younger dragons. Crickets are a staple, but their diet should be varied with other insects like earthworms, silkworms, and waxworms. It’s important to offer appropriately sized food items, no larger than the space between their eyes. Supplementing their diet with calcium and vitamin D3 is vital to prevent metabolic bone disease; dust their insects with these supplements weekly.
3. Crested Gecko: The Low-Maintenance Arboreal Gem
Crested Geckos are captivating, low-maintenance, and rank among the most popular pet reptiles globally. Known for their striking appearance and diverse array of colors and patterns, Crested Geckos continue to gain popularity as breeders develop new morphs and variations. They boast a lifespan of 15-20 years, representing a significant commitment. However, stress and improper care can negatively impact their longevity.
Housing Crested Geckos requires a minimum 20-gallon tank, oriented vertically to accommodate their arboreal lifestyle. They spend the majority of their time climbing, so providing a vertical environment is essential. Decorate their enclosure with vines, driftwood, and bamboo to create climbing structures. Live or artificial plants help maintain humidity levels and offer hiding spots. Temperature requirements for Crested Geckos are moderate, ranging from 72-82 degrees Fahrenheit.
One of the appealing aspects of Crested Geckos is their relatively simple diet. They can be fed commercially prepared crested gecko diet (CGD), which is a powdered mix that you combine with water, or live insects. If offering insects like crickets, roaches, and waxworms, remember to dust them with calcium and vitamin D3 a few times a week to ensure a balanced diet.
4. African Fat-Tailed Gecko: The Docile and Easy-Going Ground Dweller
African Fat-tailed Geckos are often overlooked but are gentle, affordable, and easy to care for, making them excellent pets. Their most distinctive feature is their thick tail, which serves as a fat storage reserve. Interestingly, they can drop their tail if threatened, but it regenerates, often with a slightly different color. Another unique feature is their functional eyelids, protecting their eyes from dust and debris.
African Fat-tailed Geckos are comfortable in a minimum 10-gallon tank. Creating a naturalistic, moisture-retaining environment is important for them. Suitable substrates include shredded newspaper, coconut fiber, or orchid bark. Providing hide boxes is essential for their security and comfort; you can purchase pre-made hides or create your own.
As insectivores, their diet should primarily consist of protein-rich insects. Offer a variety of crickets, mealworms, silkworms, waxworms, and even canned snails. Dust insects with calcium and vitamin D3 supplements every other feeding. Being nocturnal, they are most active during the nighttime hours.
5. Blue-Tongue Skink: The Hardy and Engaging Omnivore
Blue-tongue Skinks are popular pet reptiles known for their hardiness and relatively easy care, making them suitable for beginners. Their most striking feature is, of course, their bright blue tongue, which they may display as a defense mechanism. They are medium-sized lizards, reaching lengths of 20-25 inches.
Blue-tongue Skinks have a versatile omnivorous diet. They should be offered a mix of vegetables, fruits, and animal protein. Suitable foods include leafy greens, berries, melon, pumpkin, and occasionally small mice or commercially available reptile and insect foods like crickets, roaches, and worms. Fresh water should always be available. For their habitat, a plastic tub or glass enclosure is appropriate. Substrates like shredded newspaper, soil, or orchid bark can be used. A hide box is also a necessary addition to their enclosure.
6. Green Anole: The Small and Active Day-Time Lizard
Green Anoles are small, affordable, and visually appealing lizards, known for their vibrant green coloration. They are insectivores and require a daily diet of high-protein insects. However, they are delicate and not suited for handling. Their lifespan is relatively short, around seven years. Green Anoles are arboreal and need vertical climbing setups. Being diurnal, they are active and entertaining to watch during the day.
7. Water Dragon: The Colorful and Interactive Semi-Arboreal Lizard
Water Dragons are generally harmless and become quite tame with regular handling, making them engaging pets. They are colorful and attractive, preferring a habitat that offers vertical climbing and exploration opportunities. A moisture-rich environment is crucial for them. Water Dragons are omnivores, enjoying a varied diet of insects, pinky mice, vegetables, and fruits.
8. Uromastyx: The Desert Dweller with a Spiny Tail
Uromastyx lizards, with around 15 different species, are native to arid and dry climates, making them adaptable and relatively easy to care for as pets. Their most distinctive feature is their spiky tail. They come in a range of vibrant colors and typically reach 10-18 inches in length, with a long lifespan of 15-20 years. Their diet is primarily herbivorous, consisting of leafy greens, vegetables, and fruits, with occasional insects. Supplementation with multivitamins once a week is recommended. Uromastyx lizards require high temperatures and strong UVB radiation to thrive.
9. Tokay Gecko: The Vibrant but More Advanced Gecko
Tokay Geckos are nocturnal and known for their striking colors. They can be more defensive than some other geckos, but with consistent and gentle interaction, they can become calmer. However, their potentially feisty nature makes them less ideal for absolute beginners. Like other geckos, they can detach their tails as a defense mechanism. Tokay Geckos require a minimum 20-gallon tank with climbing features, hide boxes, and secure enclosures to prevent escapes. Their diet consists of high-protein insects like crickets, grasshoppers, worms, and roaches, and they can also be offered pinky mice. Calcium supplementation is necessary for their diet.
10. Chameleon: The Unique but Demanding Color Changer
Chameleons are famous for their color-changing abilities and unique features like independently moving eyes, perfectly adapted for climbing. However, they are generally not recommended for beginners due to their complex care needs. They require well-ventilated enclosures with ample vertical space, and strict monitoring of humidity and temperature levels. As insectivores, their diet includes a variety of insects like crickets, snails, butterflies, and even smaller lizards. Calcium supplementation is needed weekly.
11. Frilled Dragon: The Calm and Unique Arboreal Lizard
Frilled Dragons are known for the distinctive frill around their necks. They are generally calm and have relatively simple dietary needs, making them potentially suitable for beginners who are prepared for their specific arboreal housing requirements. They need a minimum 55-gallon tank with plenty of climbing opportunities. As omnivores, they eat a variety of insects like superworms and crickets, along with vegetables like carrots, green beans, and leafy greens. Multivitamin and calcium supplementation every other day is important.
12. Green Iguana: The Large and Herbivorous Lizard
Green Iguanas are known for their affectionate nature. However, they are large lizards, growing up to 5-6 feet long, and require significant space and commitment. They come in various bright colors and are adaptable. Their habitat needs a custom-built enclosure or large cage, sized appropriately to their adult size, with ample climbing space. Green Iguanas are herbivores, requiring a diet rich in leafy greens like collard greens, lettuce, and black mustard seeds, supplemented with vegetables and fruits in moderation.
The Joys of Lizard Ownership
Keeping lizards as pets offers numerous rewards:
- Low Maintenance (For Some Species): Many lizard species are relatively low-maintenance and easy to handle, especially compared to some other exotic pets.
- Unique and Adaptable Creatures: Lizards showcase fascinating adaptations, from temperature regulation to unique behaviors, offering an engaging pet ownership experience.
- Contained Environment: Unlike pets that roam freely, lizards live in enclosed tanks, giving you more control over their environment and safety within your home.
- Engaging Personalities: Many lizards possess quirky and entertaining personalities, providing hours of observation and enjoyment, particularly for reptile enthusiasts.
Key Considerations Before Getting a Pet Lizard
While many lizard species are beginner-friendly, careful consideration is crucial before bringing one home:
- Specific Care Needs: Thoroughly understand the specific care requirements of the lizard species you choose and ensure you can meet them consistently.
- Lifespan and Commitment: Lizards have varying lifespans and sizes, requiring a long-term commitment of time, energy, and resources for their care.
- Financial Implications: Factor in the costs of setting up their habitat, including lighting, heating, and humidity control, as well as ongoing food and supplement expenses.
- Legal and Ethical Sourcing: Be aware of any local regulations regarding lizard ownership, such as permits or licenses. Ensure you source your lizard legally and ethically from a reputable breeder or rescue organization.
Avoiding Common Mistakes in Lizard Care
Enthusiasm for a new pet lizard is natural, but proper preparation and research are essential:
- Avoid Impulse Buys: Resist the urge to purchase a lizard on impulse. Take time to research and understand the specific needs of the species you are interested in.
- Habitat is Paramount: Providing the correct habitat is crucial. Inadequate lighting, heating, humidity, or housing can lead to serious health issues and shorten your lizard’s lifespan.
- Nutritional Balance is Key: Understand the dietary needs of your lizard species and provide a balanced diet. Improper feeding, whether overfeeding or underfeeding, can cause significant health problems.
- Handle with Care: Learn proper handling techniques for your specific lizard. Mishandling can cause stress, injury, or even death in delicate species. Some lizards are best observed and not handled frequently.
Join the Community of Lizard Lovers!
Lizards are captivating and exotic pets, with many species suitable for beginners. Each species has unique care requirements that must be met to ensure a long and healthy life. By choosing the right species and providing proper care, you can enjoy the fascinating world of lizard ownership.
For high-quality reptile supplies to create the perfect habitat for your new pet lizard, visit Quality Cage. They offer a wide range of products to help you maintain optimal living conditions for your reptile companion.
FAQs
What is the best lizard to have as a pet if you’re a beginner?
Crested Geckos are often cited as one of the best pet lizards for beginners due to their ease of care and fascinating nature.
Which pet lizard is the easiest to take care of overall?
Leopard Geckos are known for requiring minimal and straightforward care, making them very easy to manage.
Which lizard species is known for being the calmest pet?
Bearded Dragons are well-regarded for their calm and docile temperament.
What is considered the most playful type of pet lizard?
Bearded Dragons are known to be more interactive and playful compared to some other lizard species, such as Iguanas.
What are the key signs of a healthy lizard?
A healthy lizard should have a firm jaw without swelling, a well-rounded stomach (not sunken or overly bloated), and bright, clear eyes.
How can I ensure my lizard’s habitat is ideally set up?
Use thermometers and hygrometers to monitor and maintain appropriate temperature gradients and humidity levels within the enclosure.
Questions?
If you have more questions about pet lizard care, feel free to email us at [email protected]
Author: Joshua Paulson and Quality Cage Team
Josh is the owner and CEO at Quality Cage Crafters since 2015. He has extensive experience learning from pet owners and educators, and is passionate about animal care and providing high-quality solutions for pet owners, breeders, rescues, and zoos. Together with his team of animal lovers, he is dedicated to creating informative content for the Quality Cage Crafters community.
