Types of Pet Lizards

Lizards are becoming very popular as pets. Exotic colors and wide variety of sizes are the interesting features of lizards. In general, lizards are complicated to maintain. Their food habits, light, temperature and housing requirements are very complex to deal with. The size of the terrarium should be built according to the size of the pet.

Based on the habitat of a particular lizard species, the tips for pet care are different. For example, a lizard adapted to desert conditions requires special care tips different from those collected from the temperate regions.

While purchasing a lizard from pet shop, their size and maintenance should be considered. If you have limited space, then you can opt for the smaller lizard like leopard geckos. Similarly, you can own savannah monitor for petting, if you have a large space available. Another criterion is the nutritional requirement of the pet.

If you are not comfortable feeding them insects, then you can buy herbivorous lizards. Those who love cuddling and handling pets, bearded dragons are a better option. For any type of lizard, always place a water basin and a wooden branch inside the terrarium. Following are some of the types of lizards popularly raised as pets:

Chameleons are an exotic and colorful species of lizards. They are carnivorous and feed on crickets, spiders, earthworms, and other small lizards. It is necessary to feed chameleons at least once in a day. For providing water by misting or drip supply is preferable, as they drink from water droplets in the wild. Inside the terrarium, a heat source (for basking) and lighting system should be fixed at proper height.

Green anoles are one of the most popular lizards. Crickets, wax worms, and mealworms are the recommended food items for them. They should also be supplemented with vitamin powder to fulfill the nutrient requirements. As these lizards are small in size, a terrarium of 20 gallon is sufficient to raise them.

In order to provide the optimum light, a UVB (ultraviolet B light waves) bulb should be fixed inside the terrarium. Placing more than two tree branches may a better idea, as they love to climb, when they are in their natural habitats.

Savannah monitors are large in size and are an intelligent species of lizards. Their preferable food is wild invertebrates. Other dietary options include rodents, crickets, mealworms, locusts, beetles, and shellfish. They should be fed thrice a week, so as to avoid obesity, which is one of the common problems among captive savannah monitor. Wooden terrarium is a better option for raising them, and the size should be about 8 feet long, 8 feet wide, and 8 feet high.

Water dragons are colorful, carnivorous lizards, which feed on a wide variety of worms, insects, fish, rodents, and other small vertebrates. The insects to be avoided include ants, bees, centipedes and scorpions. In addition, plant leaves should be added regularly to the diet of the water dragon.

Regarding their housing, they require a medium-sized terrarium, about 4 x 4 feet wide and 5 feet high. Heat lamps and UVB (ultraviolet B light waves) bulbs should be used as lighting systems.

Normally, lizards are unfriendly towards other pets and humans. Majority of them do not appreciate handling, hence proper care should be taken while handling them in order to avoid bites. Another concerning fact about lizards is the cost of rearing. Since, they survive in special climates, costly equipment along with a regular monitoring is required to maintain the environmental conditions suitable for their growth.