Read About Desert Lizards

Desert Lizards are species of lizards that can only be found in dry desert climates. Everything you need to know about them is contained in this article.

Desert Lizards - Facts

1. Description:

   Lizards are usually a four-legged reptile, with external ear openings, and has moveable eyelids. There are a few lizards that do not have functional legs. Lizards do well in the desert because they can lie under a tree or under the sand to get away from the suns rays. They are cold-blooded animals so there body temperature stays about the same as the air around them.

2. Varieties:

   There is over 3000 types of lizards and most of them live in desert regions.

3. History:

   The first lizards found were in the Permian period. They really seemed to boom around the Jurrasic period.

4. Physical Traits:

   Lizards have claw like feet, dry scaly skin, external ear openings, moveable eyelids, most have four legs, and a long tale that can easily grow back if it breaks.

5. Other Defining Characteristics:

   Lizards are great climbers.

6. Habitat:

   The desert lizards like dry, sandy habitats.

Desert Lizards - Concerns

1. Benefits:

   Lizards benefit humans by killing insects. Some lizards are used for food and some lizards are killed for their skin. It is basically illegal now to kill a lizard for its skin.

2. Liabilities:

   Most lizards are pretty docile. Just pay close attention to your lizard during feeding times, they can become aggressive at that time.

3. Health Issues:

   Lizards can get diarrhea very easily from getting too much water in their diet. The water comes from some of the fresh veggies and fruit you feed them, so watch them because they can dehydrate easily from the diarrhea. Lizards also can get mites, ticks, internal parasites, and impaction.

4. Specific Care Needs:

   Many lizards need a certain kind or amount of heat, diet, light (especially special bulbs that emit UVA and UVB light), and humidity.

5. Reaction to Children and other Pets:

   Most lizards are usually pretty calm. You should never let your child play with your lizard without your supervision; your favorite lizard can become aggressive if he/she is scared or hurt. It's usually best not to have lizards around your other pets. There are two poisonous desert lizards, it is probably best to stay away from them.

6. Special Household Needs:

   Make sure you keep your lizard locked up at all times. You do not want a child or animal to get to your lizard when you are not around.

Desert Lizards - How to Choose

1. What to Look for:

   When looking to purchase a lizard make sure there are only a few lizards in the terrarium, there is only one species to each terrarium, the lizards look alert and have their eyes open, there are hiding places for each lizard, there is a heat lamp for the lizard, and there is plenty of water and the water bowl is clean.

2. Supplies:

   You will need a tank, a heater, a lamp (especially special bulbs that emit UVA and UVB light), something for him/her to climb on and hide in, and a water dish. You will need to find out what kind of food your lizard will need, also. You will also need sand to keep in the terrarium.

3. Expense:

   The prices vary on different types of desert lizards and where you buy your lizard. Keep in mind that lizards can be costly, they should not be looked at as a "cheap" pet.