Pet Lizards

Lizards can make fascinating pets, but some species are much easier to care for than others. The best pet lizards for beginners are calm, hardy species that stay a manageable size, such as the bearded dragon, leopard gecko and blue-tongued skink. Here is what lizards are, what makes a good pet lizard, and which ones to start with or avoid.

What Is a Lizard?

Lizards are reptiles with scaly skin. Together with snakes, they belong to a big group called squamates, which means “scaly ones”. There are more than 7,000 kinds of lizards, living on every continent except Antarctica. They range from deserts and rainforests to mountains and even seashores.

Lizards are close relatives of snakes, including venomous snakes such as cobras and vipers. In fact, scientists think snakes evolved from lizard ancestors. Most lizards are easy to tell apart from snakes, though: they usually have legs, external ear openings and movable eyelids. A few lizards, such as slow worms and glass lizards, have lost their legs.

Amazing Lizard Facts

• Many lizards can drop their tail to escape a predator. The wriggling tail distracts the attacker, and a new tail slowly grows back.
• Most lizards have good eyesight and see in color. Many species signal to each other with bright colors, head bobs and push-ups.
• The smallest lizards, such as some tiny chameleons and dwarf geckos, are only a few centimeters long.
• The largest living lizard is the Komodo dragon, which can reach about 3 meters (10 feet).
• Long ago there were even bigger lizards, such as an extinct giant monitor lizard from Australia called Megalania, which was probably much larger than a Komodo dragon.

What Makes a Good Pet Lizard?

Reptiles can be wonderful pets, but many new owners are surprised by how much time, space and money some species need. Before buying any lizard, research its adult size, lifespan, diet, lighting and heating needs. Some lizards live for 15 to 20 years or more.

A good pet lizard for a beginner is usually:

• Calm and tolerant of gentle handling
• Hardy, so small mistakes do not quickly make it sick
• A manageable size as an adult
• Captive-bred and easy to find from a good breeder or rescue
• Easy to feed, with a diet you can supply year-round

Three Great Lizards for Beginners

Bearded Dragon

The bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) from Australia is one of the most popular pet lizards in the world, and for good reason. “Beardies” are usually gentle and curious, and they often seem to enjoy being handled. Adults grow to about 16 to 24 inches (40 to 60 cm) long and can live 10 to 15 years.

They come from hot, dry areas, so they need a warm basking spot and strong UVB lighting to stay healthy. An adult needs a large enclosure, about 4 feet (120 cm) long. Bearded dragons are omnivores: young dragons eat lots of insects, while adults eat mostly leafy greens and vegetables, plus some insects.

Uromastyx

Uromastyx, also called spiny-tailed lizards, are named for their thick, spiky tails. The name comes from Greek words meaning “tail” and “whip”. There are around 15 or more species, found from North Africa through the Middle East to India, and they come in beautiful colors, from yellow and orange to red and green.

Their care is similar to a bearded dragon’s, but they like it even hotter and drier. Their basking spot can reach about 120 F (49 C). Unlike beardies, adult uromastyx are mostly plant eaters, living on leafy greens, vegetables and seeds. Dry, hot setups are often easier to manage than humid tropical ones, which makes them a good choice for a dedicated beginner.

Blue-Tongued Skink

Blue-tongued skinks are famous for their bright blue tongue, which they flash at predators to startle them. These calm, sturdy lizards are among the most popular types of lizards kept as pets, and many enjoy being handled.

They come from Australia, New Guinea and parts of Indonesia, where they live in habitats from dry grassland to forest. Adults are about 18 to 24 inches (45 to 60 cm) long. They are omnivores and eat a mix of vegetables, fruit, insects, snails and some lean meat. They need a roomy enclosure with a basking spot of around 95 to 100 F (35 to 38 C) and a deep substrate to burrow in.

More Good Pet Lizards

Leopard Gecko

The leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius) is probably the most common pet reptile of all. It is calm, easy to tame and comes in many colors and patterns. Leopard geckos are mostly active at dusk and at night, eat insects, and need a warm hide and a temperature gradient. Many keepers now also give them low-level UVB light.

• Lifespan: 15 to 20 years or more
• Size: about 7 to 10 inches (18 to 25 cm)
• Enclosure: at least a 20-gallon long tank, bigger is better
• Special needs: controlled belly heat and a humid hide for shedding

Red Ackie Monitor

The ackie (Varanus acanthurus), also called the spiny-tailed monitor, is a small monitor lizard from Australia. It looks like a mini dragon and is active and fun to watch. Ackies mostly eat insects such as crickets and roaches, with an occasional mouse for adults. They need a very hot basking spot and deep soil to dig in.

• Lifespan: 15 years or more
• Size: about 2 feet (60 cm)
• Enclosure: at least 4 x 2 x 2 feet (120 x 60 x 60 cm)
• Special needs: high heat, UVB lighting and deep, diggable substrate

Crested Gecko

The crested gecko (Correlophus ciliatus) comes from the islands of New Caledonia. “Cresties” are easy to feed because they eat a ready-made fruit-based powder mixed with water, plus some live insects. They usually do well at normal room temperature, but temperatures above about 80 F (27 C) can make them sick.

Crested geckos come in many patterns. They are gentle but jumpy, so handle them close to the ground. If one drops its tail, it will not grow back, although the gecko stays healthy.

• Lifespan: 15 to 20 years
• Size: about 7 to 9 inches (18 to 23 cm)
• Enclosure: a tall tank of about 20 gallons or more
• Special needs: live or artificial plants for climbing, and misting for humidity

Argentine Black and White Tegu

The Argentine black and white tegu (Salvator merianae) is a big, smart lizard from South America. With patient handling from a young age, many become tame and some can even learn to come when called. Tegus are omnivores and eat insects, eggs, meat and fruit.

Tegus are best for experienced keepers, because adults are large and need a room-sized enclosure. Some other tegus, such as the Colombian tegu, are usually more defensive. Never release a pet tegu: escaped tegus have become an invasive species in Florida, where they eat the eggs of native animals.

• Lifespan: 15 to 20 years
• Size: about 3 to 4.5 feet (0.9 to 1.4 meters)
• Enclosure: at least 8 x 4 feet (2.4 x 1.2 meters) of floor space
• Special needs: UVB lighting, high heat and deep, burrowable substrate

Lizards That Are Hard for Beginners

Some lizards are sold as pets but are very difficult to care for well. They are better left to experienced keepers.

Green Iguana

Baby iguanas are small and cheap, but they grow to 5 to 6 feet (1.5 to 1.8 meters), need a huge, warm, humid enclosure and a carefully planned plant-based diet, and adults can be strong and defensive.

Savannah Monitor

Savannah monitors grow large and powerful, need very big enclosures with deep soil and high heat, and easily become overweight and unhealthy in poor setups.

Green Anole

Green anoles are small and inexpensive, but they are delicate, stress easily when handled and need high humidity and UVB light. They are better for watching than holding.

Chameleon

Chameleons are amazing to look at, but they are sensitive to stress, usually drink only from moving water droplets, and need well-ventilated enclosures with careful control of heat, light and humidity.

More Lizards to Explore

• Desert Lizards
• Small Lizards
• Large Lizards
• Frilled Lizard
• Dragon Lizard
• Legless Lizard
• Spiderman Agama
• Knight Anole
• Red Ackie Monitor
• Australian Water Dragon
• Blue-Tongued Skink
• Bearded Dragon
• Crocodile Monitor
• Steppe Runner
• Northern Caiman Lizard
• Panther Chameleon
• Green Iguana
• Alligator Lizard
• Caiman Lizard
• Chameleon Lizard
• Skink Lizard
• Jesus Lizard
• Tegu Lizard
• Yellow Spotted Lizard
• Collared Lizard
• Texas Spiny Lizard
• Glass Lizard
• Toadhead Agamas
• Red-Eyed Crocodile Skink
• Black-Throated Monitor
• Sand Lizard
• Weird Lizards
• Mountain Horned Lizard
• Curly-Tailed Lizard
• Basilisk Lizard
• Monitor Lizard
• Anole Lizard