Are you considering getting a pet lizard? Lizards can be wonderful pets for individuals who are ready to invest the necessary time and effort into their care.
In this blog post, we’ve compiled a detailed list of 7 pet lizards to guide you in making a right decision.
We will provide a concise summary of each species, including their distinctive features, maintenance needs, and any potential challenges you may face as an owner.
This list caters to everyone, from first-time lizard owners to seasoned reptile aficionados.
Chinese Water Dragon
If you’re looking for an exotic and beautiful pet lizard, the Chinese Water Dragon is one to consider. These lizards are native to Asia and are known for their stunning green color and docile personalities.
They are generally very calm and don’t mind being handled, making them a great choice for beginners. However, make sure to handle them gently and avoid grabbing their tails, as they can readily detach their tails in self-defense as a defense mechanism.
These lizards need a warm and humid environment to thrive. You’ll need to set up a terrarium with plenty of heat and humidity, as well as UV lighting to help them process calcium and prevent metabolic bone disease.
Chinese Water Dragons are primarily insectivores, and they enjoy a variety of insects such as crickets, mealworms, and waxworms. You can also feed them small feeder fish and occasionally pinkie mice, but be sure not to overfeed them.
All insect prey should be gut loaded and only fed every two to four weeks, not every day.
These lizards frequently experience vitamin A deficiency, so ensuring their diet is filled with vitamin A-rich foods like collard greens and sweet potatoes i
Wild-caught Chinese Water Dragons may carry diseases, so it’s best to purchase yours from a reputable breeder.
Eastern Blue-Tongued Lizard
If you desire a pet lizard that is easy to train and tame, the Eastern Blue-Tongued Lizard could be the ideal selection for you.
These reptiles are renowned for their tranquil nature, which makes them among the more manageable lizards to keep. They are not venomous, which is often a concern for people who are considering a lizard as a pet.
Some key facts to know:
- Lifespan: They can survive up to 15 years in captivity.
- Size: They can reach lengths of 45-55cm.
- Diet: They eat plants, slow-moving animals, fruits, and vegetables.
- Habitat: They need a large enclosure with hiding spots, basking spots, and a water dish.
- Temperament: They are generally docile and easy to handle, but they may exhibit aggressive behavior if they sense danger or experience stress.
Chuckwalla
If you’re an experienced lizard owner looking for a new member to your collection, the Chuckwalla could be an excellent choice for you.
These large lizards are known for their stocky build, sagging bellies, and scaly, thick tails. They have a wide base and a blunt tip on their tails.
Chuckwallas are part of the genus Sauromalus under the iguanid family known as Iguanidae.
Five Chuckwalla species exist, predominantly inhabiting the dry regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Some are also found on coastal islands.
When it comes to caring for Chuckwallas, they adjust to captivity well as long as their tank and lizard are cared for properly. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Tank Size: Chuckwallas need a large tank with plenty of space to move around. A 40-gallon tank is the minimum size recommended for one Chuckwalla, but larger is always better.
- Temperature: Chuckwallas need a basking spot with a temperature of around 100-105°F and a cooler area of around 80-85°F. They also need a UVB light to help them process calcium properly.
- Diet: Chuckwallas are primarily herbivores and need a diet that’s high in fiber and low in fat. They enjoy eating various buds, leaves, fruits, and flowers. You can also offer them commercial diets made specifically for herbivorous lizards.
- Behavior: Chuckwallas are generally docile and make great pets, but they can be territorial. It’s best to keep only one Chuckwalla in a tank to avoid any aggression.
Caiman Lizard
In search of a distinct and captivating pet lizard? The Caiman Lizard (Dracaena spp.) could be the perfect fit for you.
Originating from South America Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru, the Caiman Lizard is a semi-aquatic species that divides its time between aquatic environments and tree-dwelling.
Appearance
The Caiman lizard is a large species that can reach up to 5 feet long. They have a robust and bulky body with short legs and a long, powerful tail. Their skin is rough and covered in small scales that give them a distinctive appearance. These lizards boast a brownish-green hue, adorned with black spots and stripes along their back and flanks.
Habitat and Enclosure
In the wild, Caiman lizards live in tropical rainforests near rivers and streams.
They need a large enclosure that provides both land and water areas. A minimum enclosure size of 8ft x 4ft x 4ft is recommended for one adult Caiman lizard.
The enclosure should be equipped with a water area deep enough for the lizard to fully submerge and swim. The enclosure should also have hiding places, basking spots, and branches for climbing.
Temperament and Behavior
Caiman lizards are not recommended for beginners due to their large size and aggressive temperament. They are known to be territorial and can become aggressive towards other lizards and humans.
Handling them with care and respect is crucial. Furthermore, they are renowned for their exceptional swimming and climbing abilities.
Lifespan and Cost
Caiman lizards can live up to 20 years in captivity with proper care. They are not a cheap species to keep as they require large enclosures and specific equipment.
The cost of owning a Caiman lizard can vary, typically ranging from $500 to $1000 or even more, based on factors such as age and size.
Set Up and Safety
It is important to provide a safe and secure enclosure for your Caiman lizard. The enclosure should be escape-proof and free of any sharp or dangerous objects.
Humidity and Parasites
Caiman lizards require high humidity levels of around 80%. Provide them with a humid hide and mist their enclosure regularly.
They are susceptible to parasitic attacks, particularly from mites and ticks. Regular checks and necessary treatments are important for their well-being.
Green Basilisk
If you’re looking for a unique and fascinating pet lizard, the Green Basilisk (Basiliscus plumifrons) is an excellent choice.
Originating from the rainforests in Central America, these tree-dwelling lizards are recognized for their vibrant green hue and their unique capability to skitter across water surfaces for brief stretches. They are sometimes called the Jesus lizard due to this ability.
Green Basilisks are relatively small, growing to around 2 feet in length. They have triangular-shaped heads and laterally compressed bodies covered in tiny green scales. Gray, white, or light blue markings across their bodies give them a unique appearance.
They are typically regarded as a calm species, but like all animals, they can show aggression when they feel threatened.
Maintaining a Green Basilisk necessitates offering them an appropriate habitat. They require a large enclosure with plenty of branches and foliage for climbing and hiding.
A basking spot with a heat lamp should be provided, as well as a UVB light to help them produce vitamin D3. Being omnivores, their diet should ideally be a combination of live insects, fruits, and vegetables.
While Green Basilisks can make excellent pets, they are not recommended for beginners.
Panther Chameleon
If you’re looking for a colorful and fascinating pet lizard, the Panther Chameleon (Furcifer pardalis) might be the perfect choice for you.
These chameleons are famous for their talent to change colors.
Appearance
Panther Chameleons are one of the most colorful reptiles around. They can take on a range of vibrant neon hues, which makes them a popular choice in the reptile trade.
Male chameleons generally exhibit a more striking range of colors than females.
The females are usually green or brown with some stripes or spots. They can grow up to 20 inches long, including their tail.
Enclosure
Panther Chameleons need a large enclosure to thrive. A minimum size of 2’x2’x4′ is recommended for one chameleon. They need plenty of space to climb and move around.
The enclosure should be well-ventilated. They also need UVB lighting to help them synthesize vitamin D3.
Environment
Panther Chameleons are native to Madagascar, and they need a humid environment to thrive. You can achieve this by misting their enclosure several times a day or by using a misting system.
The humidity should be kept between 50-70%. They also need plenty of live plants to climb on and hide in.
Behavior
Panther Chameleons are generally docile, but they can become stressed if they are handled too much. They require ample room for movement, making it advisable to watch them from a distance. Being solitary creatures, they should not be housed with other chameleons.
Lifespan
With proper care, Panther Chameleons can have a lifespan of 7-10 years in captivity. They are susceptible to parasites, so regular vet check-ups are recommended.
Cost
The cost of a Panther Chameleon can vary depending on the color morph and the breeder. Their price can range from $150-$500.
Veiled Chameleon
If you’re looking for a fascinating and unique pet lizard, the veiled chameleon is an excellent choice. These robust lizards originate from the Arabian Peninsula and Yemen, and they are a great choice of pets for those who are seasoned in reptile care.
Care and Handling
Veiled chameleons necessitate a higher degree of care and attention compared to other lizard species, but if maintained appropriately, they can have a lifespan of up to 7 years in captivity.
Being ectothermic animals, they depend on external heat sources for body temperature regulation. A basking spot of around 90°F is necessary for their health.
Veiled chameleons are not the best pets for those who want a hands-on experience. These creatures are solitary by nature and prefer to be left alone. If you do need to handle your veiled chameleon, make sure to do so gently and avoid stressing them out.
Terrarium Setup
Veiled chameleons require a spacious and well-ventilated terrarium to thrive. A minimum size of 2 feet by 2 feet by 4 feet is recommended for a single adult chameleon. It is important to provide plenty of climbing opportunities, as they are arboreal creatures.
Veiled chameleons require UVB lighting to maintain their health. Make sure to provide a basking spot with a heat lamp and a cooler area for them to retreat to.
Diet
Veiled chameleons, being insectivores, need a diverse diet consisting of crickets, mealworms, and other insects.
To prevent the onset of metabolic bone disease, it’s crucial to include a calcium supplement in their diet.
Disease
Veiled chameleons are susceptible to a variety of diseases, including metabolic bone disease and respiratory infections. It is important to keep their terrarium clean and provide proper nutrition to prevent these conditions.
