Types of Pet Lizards

Lizards are becoming very popular as pets. The exotic colors and wide variety of sizes are the interesting features of lizards. In general, lizards are complicated to raise. Their food habit, light and temperature requirements and other 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.

Types of Pet Lizards

While purchasing a pet lizard from pet shops, the size and maintenance should be considered. If you have a limited space, then you can opt for the smaller lizard species like leopard geckos. Similarly, you can own savannah monitor for grooming in a large space. Another criteria is the nutritional requirements of the pet. If you are not comfortable feeding insects, then you can buy herbivorous lizards. Those who love cuddling and handling pets, bearded dragons are a better option. For any type of pet lizards, always place a water basin and a wood branch inside the terrarium. Following are some of the types of lizards popularly raised as pets.

Chameleon
Chameleons are 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 a day. For providing water, misting or drip supply is preferable, as they drink from water droplets in the wild. Inside the terrarium, heat source (for basking) and lighting system should be fixed at proper height.

Green Anole
Green anoles are one of the most common pet lizards. Crickets, wax worms and mealworms are the recommended food items for them. These foods should be supplemented with vitamin powder to fulfill the nutrient requirements of the pet lizard. As these pet lizards are small in size, a terrarium of 20 gallon size is sufficient to raise them. In order to provide the optimum light, UVB (ultraviolet B light waves) 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 Monitor
Savannah monitors are large and intelligent species of lizards. Their preferable food is wild invertebrates. Other options include rodents, small invertebrates, crickets, mealworms, locusts, beetles and shellfish. They should be fed thrice in 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, the size should be about 8 feet long, 8 feet wide and 8 feet high. Best lighting option is incandescent bulbs.

Water Dragon
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 housing, it requires medium-sized terrarium, about 4 x 4 feet wide and 5 feet high. Heat lamps and UVB (ultraviolet B light waves) should be used as lighting systems.

One word of keeping pet lizards is that they are unfriendly towards other pets and humans. Majority of them do not appreciate handling, hence a proper care should be taken while handling them in order to avoid lizard bites. Another concerning fact about lizard pets is the cost of rearing. Since, they survive in special climates, costly equipments along with a regular monitoring are required to maintain the environmental conditions. The best way is to research about various pet lizards and adopt the one that you will be able to meet its requirements.