lizards are next on the list!! (Combined thread)

[brandes]

so i am an animal lover and have had alot of diff types of pets, ive always wanted a reptile, and asked for a salimander when i was 6 they said no, my mom didnt want one because shes from a foreign country so.... w]e , nyways, i tryed to persuade her to her a snake for me, and she was like no cause shes scared and she dosnt want it to escape, my dad was fine with it but not my mother, so i have decided to try to get a lizard cause i like them alomost just ask much as snakes, so nyways i have a few questions because i want to do all my research before i present it to my mom so im hoping you people can help me narrow my search down,

sorry but this is going to be a long post with A LOT OF QUESTIONS so if you dont wannt read start here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1. im assumeing lizards need more tank space than height(as oppose to 1
birds) so the dimensions for a tank i have space for are propbably 25-30 inches in lenght and 12 inches in width, i am wondering what kinds of lizards would fit in that size tank??

so firstly what lizards can i fit in that size????????????????????

2.im assuming like snakes they are solidary creatures. so one per tank??? and do the females get bigger than the males like snakes?( i prolly want a females,... ive had to many male pets)

3.i want a docile liz that is lazy or in other words slow moving like a ball python, if that is even possible, if not disrecard this question \

4. how often do you have to clean the cage and how often do you have to feed them, and what do you feed them, crickets????.


to sum it up i just want a liz that could live happily and VERY COMFORTABLE in the dimensions i provided. a docile and a liz that moves slowly.

so yeah can anyone narrow my search down to any liZARDS that fit my criteria, i want the biggest lizard i can fit in the tank but ther personality is more important to me than looks, so can anyone reccommend a type for me so i can do further research on them(i dont know where to start)? i guess i common type is better, as i MIGHT be getting this from a pet store(as long as it is captive bred) unless i can find a breeder,

two breeds i am looking at right now are lepard geckos or a green anoles( id prefer a deseret dweller, one that dosnt climb well so it dosnt escape)

nyways i gave a too broard and long post in my eyes so just reccommend somthing and i will research,(one that dosnt escape would be ideal cause that was my moms biggest concern with the snake)

THANKS ALOT, might have more questions after the first 4 are answered


and if you want to make your post short just give me a recommended breed and tell me if ym tank size is correct for it and i will do the rest of the research.
SORRY FOR THE LONG POST, JUST TRYING TO BE INFORMED, btw im not 6 anymore... more like 19

[infernalis]

One easy answer to all your questions.

Leopard gecko.

They stay small, easy to clean up after and fairly docile. easy "non critical" care.

However with a female, you do run the possibility of egg binding.

[Max713]

I would also recommend the leopard gecko.
One would live happily in the space you have available, they have great personalities, and in general are very easy to care for.

[infernalis]

I would also like to point out that "big" lizards are not something that you should ever enter into lightly.

you absolutely need lots of space available, a big budget to work with and in most cases be willing to breed your own food source or go broke trying to keep it fed.

[brandes]

whhat about the a green anoles im leaning more towards that i like the look and they aare they same size as leapord geckos, can anyone tell me about them?? according to google they are just as much care live 4-8 years, just as docile and slow moving as leps, and if they bite i assume with reg handlinng they will not bite( i am willing to put the time)and they are the same size, any other docile slow moving liz i can get that will fiy my cage dimensions?

[Sapphyr]

I've had green anoles before.. Horrible experience. Mine were -not- slow and would always fan their neck flap at me. I think they use it to try and intimidate something they think is threatening and/or for mating. They also bit me frequently.

Leopard geckos are worlds better, in my opinion. They can't climb well at all, very docile when handled regularly, and are generally slow. In the case of Leos, males are generally larger. If you want something bigger, go for a Jumbo Leopard Gecko. I wanted one but my mother got me a regular. He's still the greatest little gecko, though.~

[mld]

I would have to say that the leopard gecko would be wonderful for you. They eat crickets!

Anoles, even though they are cheap to buy they are not a beginner lizard and do require more maintenance, humidity.

I commend you on doing your research first, this is so important.

Decide what you would like, then set up the enclosure and get it up and working and at the proper temperatures prior to purchasing any reptile.

Choosing a healthy lizard is very important, you don't want to choose one that is sick.

Just remember you can never know too much, so asking questions is good.

[infernalis]

Anoles are fun, I have done it before... But like already said, they are quick, flighty and difficult to keep.

also nearly all Anoles sold are wild caught from down south, many are already infected with parasites.

[molson101]

So I have been trying for 4 years to try and get a snake but I am finally giving up. I really love them but my dad is scared of them (I know sad right) and my mom is fine with it now. But my dad wont let me get one so I have decided to get a lizard.

I have some questions so if you dont want to read might want to stop reading now.

1. What are some good ideas of begginer lizards that can be handled quite a bit?

2. What size of tanks do you need for these lizards?

3. Are these lizards relatively easy to take care of?

4. Are these lizards cheap or expensive and how much do they cost?

5. How much humidity do they need?

6. How much heat do they need?(Heat Pad or Heat Lamp or Both?)

7. Can you feed them Salad because I dont want to be going out for crickets all the time?

[brandes]

Originally Posted by molson101

So I have been trying for 4 years to try and get a snake but I am finally giving up. I really love them but my dad is scared of them (I know sad right) and my mom is fine with it now. But my dad wont let me get one so I have decided to get a lizard.

I have some questions so if you dont want to read might want to stop reading now.

1. What are some good ideas of begginer lizards that can be handled quite a bit?

2. What size of tanks do you need for these lizards?

3. Are these lizards relatively easy to take care of?

4. Are these lizards cheap or expensive and how much do they cost?

5. How much humidity do they need?

6. How much heat do they need?(Heat Pad or Heat Lamp or Both?)

7. Can you feed them Salad because I dont want to be going out for crickets all the time?

1. geckos 2. 20 gallonish 3. yes relativly, daily care is required
4. cheap, dont know how much 5. dont know yet, 6. dont kmnow 7, dont know, yu can find aall the answers for the last 3 answers and more here

Great Geckos for Beginners

but just like the people here when i look into it geckos and good for begginners and dont need alot of expensive equipment, other lizards need like a 40-50 gallon tank

dont quote me on this stuff as i am a beggginner like you


heres one of my questions

are lizards solitary animals? or will they be unhappy living alone

[mld]

Originally Posted by molson101

So I have been trying for 4 years to try and get a snake but I am finally giving up. I really love them but my dad is scared of them (I know sad right) and my mom is fine with it now. But my dad wont let me get one so I have decided to get a lizard.

I have some questions so if you dont want to read might want to stop reading now.

1. What are some good ideas of begginer lizards that can be handled quite a bit?

2. What size of tanks do you need for these lizards?

3. Are these lizards relatively easy to take care of?

4. Are these lizards cheap or expensive and how much do they cost?

5. How much humidity do they need?

6. How much heat do they need?(Heat Pad or Heat Lamp or Both?)

7. Can you feed them Salad because I dont want to be going out for crickets all the time?

Each will have its different needs, What size of a tank would you be able to have.

I'll answer this one first because most lizard eat crickets. If you don't want to feed live feeder insects then maybe you should think about a crested gecko. They eat Crested Gecko Diet! Iguanas don't eat any protein but they are not an easy lizard to own and require a lot of work, plus there are just too many of them out there that are without proper homes.

[infernalis]

Same exact discussion, so I merged them together.

[brandes]

what does gut loaded crickets mean? and can you freeze crickets like pinkies?


and do the lep geckos smell? or is it the same deal with snakes

[Lankyrob]

You can buy gutload for crickets, it increases the goodness in them before feeding them to your lizard. You cant freeze them, they need to be fed live.

In terms of heat the lizards that we have both have Mercury Vapour Bulbs, they provide massive heat but also the UV light that is necessary so that you only need a single bulb in the enclosure. If you used a heatpad or normal heat bulb you would also need to provide UVA and or UVB light.

[brandes]

so would i have to make a trip to the pet store every other day, or if i buy alot how would i have to care for these crickets?