Pet lizards can make terrific pets for knowledgeable and responsible pet owners. A successful experience for both you and the lizard depends on your willingness to learn, both before and after bringing home your new friend. It is very important to do some research before selecting a particular breed of lizard. You will need to know what the animals housing, heat, light, and nutritional needs are, just to name a few. Be sure you have the space and time to commit to this new pet.
Regardless of the type of lizard you select, all will require you to invest in a fair amount of equipment. For starters, you will need a tank or enclosure of some sort. The type and size will depend on the type of lizard. All lizards will require some sort of heat source, either for their entire tank or just a basking spot. Many lizards will also require some amount of humidity control, to keep their environment comfortable and their skin healthy. Many lizards require special lights, such as ultraviolet lights that simulate the effects of the sun.
A good “starter” species is the leopard gecko. They are easy to care for, grow to a manageable length of about 8-10 inches long, and do not require special lighting. There are also other species of geckos that are good for beginners, such as tokay geckos, fat tailed geckos, and Madagascar ground geckos. Bearded dragons, blue tongued skinks, and green anoles are also fairly easy to care for, but all of these lizards will require investing in some fairly expensive lights.
Other species of lizard, especially iguanas, can require a lot of effort and expense, and can grow very large or become difficult to maintain. Consider not only how you will care for a lizard when you bring it home, but how you will continue to care for it over the life of the animal. Since many lizards have long life expectancies (some at least 10 years and in many cases far longer), it is important to be prepared to care for her for a long time.
When selecting a pet lizard, start by talking to reputable dealers. If you know other lizard owners, talk to them about recommendations. You may wish to meet with lizard dealers at reptile shows, or research dealers on the Internet. On some websites you can find forums or discussion boards regarding dealers. Try to select a reptile dealer who has received good feedback from previous customers.
Of course, you want to be sure you start with a healthy lizard. Look at the overall physical condition of the animal. He should be neither unusually plump nor overly skinny. His eyes should be clean and clear. His skin should look clean and free from cuts or bites, and should not have spots (other than those appropriate for the species, of course). He should be alert and active and neither overly timid nor very aggressive.
Be sure you have the environment completely set up and operational before bringing your pet lizard home. Just becoming accustomed to her new home will be enough of an adjustment for her; be sure you are ready for her to move right into this home.
