Before you consider purchasing your pet lizard, there’s much research to be done. Although the cost of pet lizards may be quite low, there’s a whole host of equipment that you must provide him with, in order for him to live healthily and happily – and here’s where it can get expensive. First consider the type of lizard you wish to be your companion. Some species are easier (and cheaper) to keep than others. |
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Leopard geckos are small, easy to handle and don’t require UVA/UVB lighting and so make an excellent choice for the beginner. |
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Similarly, the impressively named bearded dragon is easy to handle – but not so small. Setting up a much larger terrarium than the leopard gecko’s home, and providing appropriate lighting will be a necessity. |
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Other types of gecko, including the Madagascar ground gecko and the fat tailed gecko are manageable for the pet lizard beginner. |
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The blue-tongued skink requires a large enclosure and UVA/UVB lighting for basking. Though curious, this little fellow is quite docile and with careful regulation of his environment makes a good beginner’s pet. |
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If you’re looking for a more challenging pet lizard, iguanas and chameleons may just fit the bill. |
Iguana care involves a more expert approach. An iguana may be small at first, but growing to an average six feet in length, he needs a very large enclosure, with UVA/UVB lighting for basking, strict temperature and humidity control and preferably an additional outdoor enclosure for the daytime, weather permitting, with partial sun and shade. |
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The chameleon, famous for his amazing colour changing ability, is wholly a tree dweller. His enclosure must provide ample climbing materials, and hiding places where he can retreat when stressed. It doesn’t take much to stress a chameleon and a stressed chameleon may soon become a sick one. |
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