Types of Pet Lizards & Geckos

Types of Pet Lizards & Geckos. Careful research is required before purchasing any reptile as a pet. Reptile environments need to be large enough for maximum growth and kept clean. Pet lizards and geckos vary in size. They have different habits and needs. Taming lizards and geckos takes practice and patience. Also, according to the Indiana State Department of Health, "It is now known that all reptiles can carry a bacterium called Salmonella on their skin." Learn as much as possible about the different types of pet lizards and geckos before you buy.

Leopard Gecko

Adult leopard geckos are less than a foot long. They are colorful, nocturnal lizards that feed on insects. Large 20-gallon fish tanks make suitable habitats for leopard geckos. Because they sleep during the day, they don't require additional lighting, but they do need controlled heating. It is important to provide an adequate supply of insects for their nighttime hunting rituals. Leopard geckos can live for more than 20 years.

Bearded Dragons

Bearded dragons are about 2 feet long when fully grown. They live for approximately 10 years and eat both insects and plants. Bearded dragons require external UV lighting because they stay awake during the day. They are easy to handle and interact with because they remain calm. Bearded dragons are low-maintenance pet lizards.

Argentine Black and White Tegu

Tegus are intelligent lizards that can be trained to recognize their names and do tricks. They are large reptiles that need a lot of space. Tegus are almost 5 feet long when fully grown. They can be leash trained if the owner purchases them as babies and works with them regularly. Adults require several square feet of space, controlled heat, UVB lighting and a place to burrow. Tegus can live for more than 15 years. Some species of tegus are aggressive and not recommended as pets.

Green Anole

Green anoles are high-maintenance lizards. They need an extremely controlled environment, which often leads to unexpected expenses. Green anoles remain small, approximately 8 inches fully grown and only live for about five years. A 20-gallon fish tank makes a suitable cage. The initial purchase of a green anole is fairly inexpensive, but maintenance and care add up quickly. They are not recommended as pets.

Chameleon

Chameleons are wild lizards. Adult size varies upon breed and species. It is advisable to purchase a chameleon bred in captivity. They are high-maintenance animals that have specific needs and should not be handled by humans. Chameleons transfer many parasites and diseases to people. Habitats must have constant humidity, lots of vegetation and controlled lighting. Chameleons are expensive to maintain despite their short lifespan of approximately five years.

Iguana

Iguanas live for 20 or more years and are extremely large lizards, up to 6 feet long fully grown. These intelligent animals have sharp teeth, spikes and talons. They are aggressive, dangerous reptiles that do not make good pets. Iguanas need several square feet of space, special lighting, controlled heating and volumes of vegetation for their diet. While they are easy to find and inexpensive to purchase, they ultimately become an expensive, long-term commitment for pet owners.

References

• Indiana State Department of Health: Owning a Reptile
• Best Pet Lizard: Choosing the Best Pet Reptile
• Animal-World: Lizard Families