Which lizard - gecko would be best for me? - Page 5

Lankyrob · 04-03-11, 06:14 AM

I would say beardies are pretty good for beginners - just follow a good care sheet and you should be fine - if you have space for a beardie that opens up a lot of other possibilities too..........

sandra75 · 04-03-11, 06:22 AM

I think I have to re-think the tank size for sure. We have a long table that I can use a tank up to 3 feet long ....

Any comments on those 3 types, as far a care goes? They would do well on a about +\- 3 feet cage?

Mt. Horned Dragon

Eastern Collared Lizard

Mali Uromastyx

Bearded Dragon

I think those are pretty much my favorites. As much as I love Geckos, I really want a active in the day lizard type.

Lankyrob · 04-03-11, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandra75

I think I have to re-think the tank size for sure. We have a long table that I can use a tank up to 3 feet long ....

Any comments on those 3 types, as far a care goes? They would do well on a about +\- 3 feet cage?

Mt. Horned Dragon - three foot long but needs to be at least 4 foot high

Eastern Collared Lizard - needs four foot long as very active

Mali Uromastyx - think need four foot but others will no more than me about them

I think those are pretty much my 3 favorites. As much as I love Geckos, I really want a active in the day lizard type.

Answers in the quote - quicker that way

sandra75 · 04-03-11, 06:30 AM

Thanks Lankyrob, very useful information!

I forgot to add up the Bearded Dragon ... Would that be my best option?

Lankyrob · 04-03-11, 10:03 AM

If you have room for a four foot enclosure then yes but three foot wouldnt be big enough for a beardie.

sandra75 · 04-03-11, 10:14 AM

All would need at least 4 feet long cage?

I guess I am back at square 1 lol

Any other suggestions for diurnal lizard - gecko that would be ok in a 3 feet cage?

breezybri69 · 04-03-11, 01:14 PM

you can handle anoles, specialy ones from the store, when i go down to louisiana on vacation i catch them all the time, there actualy very easy to handle

infernalis · 04-03-11, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by breezybri69

you can handle anoles, specialy ones from the store, when i go down to louisiana on vacation i catch them all the time, there actualy very easy to handle

I would never recommend handling a pet anole, I have kept several. My female was here for 3 years..

Anoles are very quick, and very small & arboreal, once it jumps out of your hand, getting it back can be very challenging.

Most all Anoles sold in stores are wild caught, scooped up off the ground in the southern states and then sold as pets.

mld · 04-03-11, 05:49 PM

Anoles, as cheap as they are they don't like being handled and require a lot of care.

A fire skink would be able to be kept in a 3 foot long!

Here is a great care sheet!
Fire Skink (Riopa fernandi) Caresheet

sandra75 · 04-03-11, 05:49 PM

Yeah, thats exactly what I read plus I ready they have sensitive skin. Hopefully soon, I will find the right lizard pet!

I've been told on here that Chameleons are not for beginners that its quite challenging to care for their needs. Is someone able to tell me what it implies? What makes them hard to keep?

sandra75 · 04-03-11, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mld

Anoles, as cheap as they are they don't like being handled and require a lot of care.

A fire skink would be able to be kept in a 3 foot long!

Here is a great care sheet!
Fire Skink (Riopa fernandi) Caresheet

Thanks!! Are those diurnal reptiles?

Also, I saw on the link they reach up to 10-14 inches in length. Some of my 4 choices are also in that lenght ... but why they require bigger cages tho?

infernalis · 04-03-11, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandra75

Yeah, thats exactly what I read plus I ready they have sensitive skin. Hopefully soon, I will find the right lizard pet!

I've been told on here that Chameleons are not for beginners that its quite challenging to care for their needs. Is someone able to tell me what it implies? What makes them hard to keep?

Replicating the jungle / rain forest environment is work intensive. They are very fragile/delicate creatures, and they are best not handled.

mld · 04-03-11, 05:58 PM

Chameleons they require a fresh air terrarium (good ventilation), drip system for water enclosure 3'x3'x3'. They can grow pretty big!

sandra75 · 04-03-11, 06:04 PM

Thanks, yeah, that is a little more than what I am ready to work on.

I am curious about tank sizes. What I dont get is, why Anoles can be housed in a 3f tank when some of my 4 choices are about same lenght as the Anole but require a 4f tank

mld · 04-03-11, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandra75

Thanks!! Are those diurnal reptiles?
They require UVB, They like to dig.

Also, I saw on the link they reach up to 10-14 inches in length. Some of my 4 choices are also in that lenght ... but why they require bigger cages tho?

Well, what is the largest enclosure length 2' or 3' ?

A lot of the bigger lizard require heat gradients, so that is one reason that they need such large enclosures. This way they can have a high heat on one side and lower temps on the other.