Help in buying the right lizard? heeerrre lizard lizard?

Question

My daughter and I want to get a lizard.... im not going to pretend to know everything about them, im not. We're both learning alot as were looking into this. I personally want something smaller and some kin of color so i was thinking a gekco as was my daughter but the more i read they dontllike to be handled. Is there a smaller lizard that is social?? We thought of a breaded because from what i understand they are great for beginners and social.... so much for color and size though......help! i would really like a smaller like the gekco and one that doesnt mind handling. Any light on either species or one i havent considered would be REALLY appreciated! Ohh my daughter is 14 and i have an almost 5 year old who wants to participate in care. Do breadies bite?? does it hurt? Were new to this...

Answer 1

Bearded Dragons are great.

Get one, you won't be sorry.

They are mellow, social, and tame down quickly. I can't say enough about them.



Geckos are cute, but tend to be cranky



Avoid Chameleons. They are very fragile, "high maintenence" and not good for beginners.



The smaller the lizard, the faster is moves, and the more delicate it is. As a general rule. Anoles are "look only" pets.

Answer 2

I think that the best beginner pets for a first starter would be either a Leopard Gecko or a Bearded Dragon. Or if you feel really exotic A Spiny Tailed Monitor. Leopard Geckos are easily affordable these days and come in a wide variety of colours and patterns. As far as I know they do not live up to 30 years. Probably more around 15 - 20. The oldest I've seen was 24 and there is a video of it on youtube. Like I said though, Spiny Tailed Monitors or 'Ackies' are a nice alternative to Bearded Dragons. They grow to around the same size and have very similar requirements as they're from the same country. Be sure to read up on whatever you choose as much as possible before you buy. You cannot go wrong then :) Good Luck with your choice.

Answer 3

Though I personally do not own a lizard, I have been around a few. My preference would be the bearded dragon, but there are so many to choose from, that reading a little about them all might be more beneficial



I did a search for you and found a few good websites.

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Bearded Dragons make some of the best reptile pets. They reach a manageable size of about 18-22 inches and only require a 40-75 gallon enclosure.



Getting a Bearded Dragon is a serious commitment. They can live from 5-12 years in captivity. We had Eddie for 10 years before we had to have him euthanized in 2005. He was the oldest Dragon my vet had ever seen at the time. Eddie and Bisquik's page has relocated here.



Bearded Dragons do require a few very important things to remain healthy.



Proper heat gradient from 100 degrees F down to the 70s

UVB light in the form of a fluorescent light, Mercury Vapor Bulb or unfiltered natural sunlight

An Omniverous Diet with the proper calcium/phosphorus ratio

Fairly large enclosure from 40-75 gallons....more info to read at the link below...

http://www.reptilecare.com/Bearded.htm



Leopard gecko care sheet, gecko information, gecko pictures gecko links



Leopard Gecko Care Sheet



By



Gecko District



The most popular lizard in America (Eublepharis Macularius)



The Leopard Gecko is originally from Pakistan, India, and a few other countries in Asia. Leopard Geckos are terrestrial (they live on the ground) and they are nocturnal (active at night). They prefer temperatures between 82 and 88 degrees all day and night. They grow to between 8 to 11 inches. Leopard Geckos are available in a wide range of colors and patterns which are the result of selective captive breeding. These include albino, ghost, striped, jungle, leucistic and high yellow. These colors have been made possible through selective captive breeding. Leopard Geckos make wonderfull pets for almost any responsible person. Leopard Geckos also make good long term pets. They can live over twenty years. Never grab by tail it will break off.

http://www.geocities.com/geckodistrict/leopard.html



Here below you can learn about most of the different geckos, this site has a drop down tab/window that when you slide your cursor over it, it provides a list of them with photos too.

http://www.daygecko.com/

Answer 4

The lizard for you is the African fat-tailed gecko.

They are the size of a leopard gecko, but MUCH calmer and more handleable than a leopard gecko or a bearded dragon.

Answer 5

i have an iguana and i love him but yes he is alot of work to care for and he gets more expence the biger he gets. but i will say this tho most lizards are tropical so i takes alot of elctricity to keep them warm and any lizard will be moody if they dont have the right temp they need because they are cold blooded and need the heat to move around.



oh and like any lizard breadies will bite if your fingers taste like their food but most lizards dont have sharp teeth so it wont really hurt. but just keep your hands clean when handling them and u should be fine. and if you get a bigger one the tail it the part you got to worry about. my iggy swings his tail around sometimes and i get hit with it but i know he dont mean to do it it still hurts