Cheryl Locke
When it comes to reptiles, having a pet lizard can be an incredibly rewarding and unique experience, but there are many things to consider before bringing one home. “Lizards are fun to keep, but they require more care and attention to detail than snakes,” says herpetologist Red-eared slider herpetology research center“New lizard owners must be prepared to handle the day-to-day care of their lizard. Pet lizards are not recommended for people who have no experience of looking after pets or who are not responsible enough to entrust the daily care of a lizard.”
So what do their day-to-day needs actually consist of? Here are some things to consider when considering buying a pet lizard:
What do lizards eat?
All lizards eat food daily, but some species thrive on commercially available inanimate foods, while others require live prey as part of their diet. Some lizards have specialized diets that can be difficult to obtain. “For example, horned lizards feed primarily on ants in the wild,” says Mike Wines, head reptile keeper at Turtle Back Zoo in New Jersey. “Research your pet’s needs thoroughly to ensure you have the right food available for your particular lizard.”
Where should the lizards live?
Lizards need space to thrive, and it’s important to figure out what your lizard needs before bringing it home. “Find out the size of your adult lizard and start from there,” says Wines. “Some lizards, like iguanas and some monitor lizard species, can get very large. They need a lot of space and places to move around, and often even a place to swim.” Some lizards can outgrow their habitat, so lizard owners need to be prepared to accommodate these needs over time, says Spinner. Here are some additional questions to consider about their habitat:
- Does my lizard need UV light? Many advertised products claim to provide good UV light, but in reality may not provide enough light for your lizard. Ask your vet to recommend a good product.
- What are the heating requirements for this type of lizard? Some lizards will need a heating gradient with multiple temperature zones in the tank and a hygrometer to measure humidity.
- How does my lizard get water? Would a bowl of water suffice or would you prefer a drip system?
- How do these lizards cope with the stress of handling, and how often should they be played with?
While there’s no single answer for all the different wants and needs of pets, you can answer many of your questions by doing thorough research on the type of lizard you’re interested in. And once you’re ready to get your lizard, avoid the common mistakes made by inexperienced lizard keepers, like procrastinating on cleaning the water bowl, removing food particles from the tank, and forgetting to turn the tank light on and off. Paying attention to all the details will ensure your lizard is the happiest and healthiest.
Can you live with lizards?
Lizard care is very nuanced, and each lizard is very different, so don’t assume yours will want to share their habitat with others. “Some do better in groups, and some do better alone,” Spinner says. Research the personality traits of certain species ahead of time, and ask your potential pet about their behavior so you know if they’ll get along with a playmate any time soon.
How should I interact with my lizard?
One of the reasons lizards make great pets is that they tend to be more alert and responsive to their owners’ actions and activities than other reptiles. “Lizards tend to be a lot more active than other pet reptiles, which makes them a lot more interesting in captivity,” Spinner says.
But just because a lizard can be fun to have as a pet doesn’t mean it wants (or needs) you to touch it 24/7, or leave it alone all the time. “A big mistake people make is touching or handling lizards too much,” Spinner says. “Too much touching leads to stress, and too much touching leads to nervous behavior, which ultimately leads to stress.” Your scaly friend also needs regular veterinary checkups and mental and physical enrichment to stay healthy and happy. “Researching your pet lizard requires more than a quick conversation with a pet store person,” Wines says. “Make sure you’re able to care for it throughout its life, not just when it’s young and tiny and cute.”
Speak with a veterinarian who specializes in reptiles and lizards to fill in any questions you may have about how to interact with and care for a lizard, and be sure to learn about the diet, size, lifespan, temperature and humidity requirements, and handling requirements of your potential lizard before bringing it home.
“Make sure the lizard is eating before you bring it home,” Wines says. “Look for injuries like cuts, missing toes or broken tails, and make sure it’s captive-bred. As with snakes, avoid wild-caught lizards, as in addition to the fact that they are wild-caught, captive-bred lizards are often loaded with parasites. Bearded dragons and leopard geckos are good beginner lizards, but always do your research.”
image: Michael Puce / Shutterstock
