This pet reptile requires daily nutrition when young while the older Red-eared Slider can be fed once every two or three days. Bearded Dragon Pet Guide: Is a Bearded Dragon the RIGHT Pet for You? Unmet expectations and poor advice about reptile care can result in a bad experience for the owner and can ultimately be fatal for the reptile. Cuban false chameleons are interesting-looking anoles that are easier to care for and hardier than true chameleons. Here we’ll look at the 8 lizards that work well for beginner reptile owners. Full-spectrum UVA/UVB lighting needs to be provided for at least eight hours a day. And should temperatures dip down below 65 degrees Fahrenheit at night? Leopard Geckos make wonderful pets especially for those looking to handle their pet. The long crests on their body and eyes make them look like cartoons. We’ve scoured the Internet, listened to personal stories, and tapped into our own personal experience to compile this list that will help you narrow down your choices to find the right lizard for your situation. If someone is interested in putting in the time and energy to set up a proper habitat, follow a species appropriate feeding regime, and keep their pet’s environment clean, then the bearded dragon will be a rewarding pet. Crested geckos are also rather long-lived, requiring a fifteen-to-twenty-year long commitment if everything goes well. Native to Australia, Blue Tongue Skinks are named after their bright blue tongue, which they use in their defensive displays to ward off predators. Which one do you want? These little guys love to climb, so height should take priority over width and length. However, snakes have the advantage of often only needing to be fed once a week or less so they can easily be left on their own for a few days without a pet sitter. The crestie is a very docile, entertaining reptile. For those who would like a leg-less companion, ball pythons are one of the most popular choices. This means that they need a daily misting, a hygrometer in the aquarium, and live plants to help balance and maintain the humidity. Consider the initial habitat set-up, cost, longevity, maintenance, and feeding schedules. They look somewhat like snakes that grew stubby legs, ears, and eyelids. They’re typically green with multi-colored bands. As such, you’ll need to. They are also a species that may be considered a longterm commitment since they’re believed to live anywhere between 15 and 30 years old in captivity. Their home should be a 55 to 60 gallon aquarium with a lid at minimum once they are full grown. But creating a balanced, healthy diet with these lizards is. The bottom line and theme we looked for was low maintenance. The food and water dishes need to be washed and when the substrate is changed all the décor items will also need to be cleaned. This lizard must have a nearly impeccable diet in order to maintain optimal health and avoid conditions like metabolic bone disease. Bearded dragons are one of the most popular pet lizards and thanks their gentle nature, they’re one of the best pet lizards for beginners. You’ve waited. Similarly, the Tokay Gecko, while much smaller, is almost guaranteed to have an aggressive personality. However, each animal has a particular and important set of reptile care requirements and it's best to choose the requirements that work well for your lifestyle. Other lizards, like the green anole, only grow up to about eight inches. You may not be able to recognize whether a lizard’s behavior is typical for that species, or if he is feeling unwell. They eat about two insects for every inch of the gecko’s length with feedings every second day. Relatively small on the tortoise scale (maximum of 8-10 inches), these tortoises are very hardy, which makes them a great choice. Given their petite size and fragility, green anoles are best left unhandled. Looking forward, Fred? House the gecko separately if it previously shared a habitat. If your lizard is aloof, distant or aggressive, you are less likely to want to spend time with him. Visitez notre boutique en ligne pour voir lesquels sont disponibles! Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Yet with their ability to change colors, they make a very interesting and unique pet. They’ve earned this reputation by being good-natured and easy to care for. They eat live insects, meal worms, Dubia roaches, and vegetables. Ball pythons are often thought of as the best pet snake! Along with the habitat, feeding and general care requirements are also magnified with larger lizard species. Over and over again you’ll see the bearded dragon (or “beardie”) recommended as one of the best pet lizards for new reptile owners. What he feels is extreme duress is at his personal discretion. You’ve read. Best Pet Lizards for Beginners. Because of their curiosity they are incredible escape artists and their tank needs to be secure. 7 months. A well-chosen pet can bring years of joy. Don’t let their cute little body and colorful spotted pattern fool you… the Tokay Gecko can be a nightmare to deal with especially for new owners. While not as popular as other monitor species, these spunky little guys fill a relatively prominent gap in the hobby for keepers who want to own a monitor but don’t have copious amounts of space. These friendly, docile, and hardy reptiles are named after their spiky, armored tails, which they use for self-defense in the wild. Veiled chameleons prefer a temperature range in the enclosure between 72°F and 95°F. They also have no requirements for UVA/UVB lights. At any stage of a person’s life, it’s hard to imagine what the next twenty years will look like, but that’s how long many lizards may live, with a few living even longer. This means that, They also improve the habitat so significantly i, Sure, you might have your heart set on a cute little lizard because of its bright colors or pattern but is it, Before jumping into our picks for the best pet lizards before beginners, let’s briefly discuss the 3. ✨ • • • #crestedgecko #crestedgeckos #eyelashgecko #correlophus #gecko #geckos #geckosofig #reptile #reptiles #reptilesofinstagram, A post shared by Neko Gekko (@nekogekko) on Mar 18, 2020 at 10:00am PDT. Their stout body makes it difficult for them to move with much grace or agility. Tell us in the comments below! And most of all? Some lizards are more tolerable of imperfect environments, whereas others will not thrive in a habitat that does not mimic its natural environment. They enjoy climbing branches so they need an enclosure that allows them some space to do so. Being the smallest lizard species on our list, a single green anole only requires a 10-gallon aquarium. Jeweled lacertas can attain lengths of up 3 feet, with 1 to 2 feet being more typical. You MUST be willing to give up part of your home to a large lizard’s habitat. Aquatic turtles get to be quite large and messy and turn out to be pretty boring to children. Beardies are over the top when it comes to being social and they're awake during the day. This little guy is not as commonly known as the previous two lizards. Unfortunately, not a whole lot is known about their numbers in the wild, which is why they are actually considered a “vulnerable” species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species. A Russian tortoise is a better choice than the popular red-eared slider, because of the different maintenance requirements, and ability to interact with a human. Visit our online store to see which ones are available! These turtles live a long time but they do not have the aquatic requirements like red-eared sliders! This gecko will only grow to be four to six inches long. Compared to other reptiles, veiled chameleons have a short lifespan of 5 to 7 years, making them an excellent opportunity to test your skill and interest level without making an extremely long-term commitment. This Australian native, LOVES to interact with its human. Consider any of the following great choices for your first lizard…. They need to be fed more often. For owners who are looking for something relatively easy to care for, unique, or hypo-allergenic, reptiles are a great choice. © Copyright 2020, WOS, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Bearded Dragon is such a great pet reptile so of the 12 this is our fave for a beginner reptile owner. When considering a lizard, it’s best to lean toward a species with a lifespan of years instead of decades. Due to its friendly disposition and original appearance, Bearded Dragons gained well-deserved popularity. Their deliberate and predictable movements may help nervous new handlers become comfortable with lizards. All 12 of these reptiles are great candidates. Their diet consists of insects and can be supplemented with sweet fruits. They also improve the habitat so significantly it’s almost preferable that you pick a different lizard if you don’t want to keep live plants with your gold dust gecko. When considering the best pet lizard, there are several factors you’ll want to consider above all else. They come in a variety of color variations and range from three to five feet in length. They are nocturnal however, so if your family is active early in the morning or at night, you'll get to experience their peak activity. These spotted geckos are also quiet and easy to maintain, which makes them great additions to any family. Finally, as typical for all monitor lizards, Ackies eat an entirely carnivorous diet, including insects, rodents, commercial canned carnivorous reptile diets, and eggs. The Best Pet Reptiles for Beginners – Conclusion. Like the bearded dragon they are diurnal so need UVB lighting with a temperature of  75F to 80F with a basking spot (under a lamp) around 90F. Thorough research before deciding on one of these pets and getting your enclosure set up before bringing your new pet home is crucial. One of the cons of owning a God Dust Day Gecko is having to abide by strict humidity regulations within their enclosure. that also contribute to the ease of ownership. The original post was published on March 26, 2016. #Shivan #crazylizardlady #chinesewaterdragon #waterdragon #dragon #lizardsofinstagram #lizard #reptile #chinesewaterdragonsofinstagram, A post shared by bsweetskier (@bsweetskier) on Mar 21, 2020 at 4:27pm PDT. You’ve read. The leopard gecko is another lizard that regularly rates high in the beginner pet lizard charts. Leopard geckos ONLY eat live insects and meal worms. Any giant snake species is not for a novice handler and iguanas can be moody and aggressive. They do not have elaborate tank requirements, which makes them favorable to first-time owners. He is a showpiece all on his own. Like many other geckos, cresties are nocturnal, and they don’t require UVB lighting. Posted by Samantha Bubar. While they aren’t as brightly colored, they share many other similarities with chameleons: independently moving eyes, arboreal habits, and the ability to change colors. Being omnivores, blue-tongued skinks will eat a wide variety of food, including vegetables, fruit, and protein from sources like insects, mice, and canned dog food.