Lizards are becoming more and more popular options for animal lovers – no surprise due to the relative ease in caring for such pets compared to more traditional companions. Whereas a dog or cat will run around the house occasionally breaking things and making a lot of noise at times, a pet lizard will stay in their aquarium – quietly – all day long. This doesn’t mean that lizards can just be left there without care for days on end, however; Lizard pet care can at times be as complex and challenging as keeping many other, more traditional animals in your home.
While the lizard itself – whatever species you end up choosing as a pet – can be relatively inexpensive when compared to some dog and cat breeds (especially purebreds), the equipment and tools necessary in caring for and keeping a pet lizard are not at all cheap. A lizard will require at the very least a moderately sized aquarium and a lighting installation, with requirements often extending to UV lighting, heating, and even hard-to-find food. Your tiny reptile companion will also most likely grow into a large lizard one day, with some species reaching 6 feet in length – something you should keep in mind when deciding if you have the necessary space for such a pet.
One other very important aspect of lizard care is that almost all reptiles pose a serious Salmonella risk to humans and other household animals alike. The Salmonella bacteria infects over 74,000 people each year in the US alone, most of these infections coming from house-kept pet lizards. Children under the age of 5 are especially prone to this disease, as are people with compromised immune systems. Thus, when deciding whether a pet lizard is right for you, consider who lives in your household and how big the risks of infection are. And always have the reptile tested prior to bringing it into your home.
If you’ve given the matter sufficient thought and decided that a lizard is indeed the right pet for you, then you should start preparing accordingly. Purchase a suitable enclosure – a large enough aquarium for your reptile, depending on their size. Usually, 2x2x2 feet should be enough, although larger lizards obviously require more space to move, and some species are particularly active. Feeding you lizard should not pose any problems, as insect, worms, and edible plants are in plentiful supply. Watering should be done via a misting process a few times a day so that the lizard can drink the moisture off of the leaves and plants in his aquarium.
Make sure your lizard is healthy and well fed. Exercise is equally important – you should take your pet lizard out from their enclosure daily in order for them to move about as needed. Choosing the perfect lizard species is very important: Some of the best lizards for beginners are Leopard Geckos, Blue Tongued Skinks, and Bearded Dragons. For veteran lizard owners species such as the Chinese Water Dragons, Chameleons, and Iguanas provide a more suitable challenge and rewarding experience.
