Caring for large pet lizards is a challenge unto itself. Here are some important things you should know before bringing one into your home.
- Your home needs to be able to support a large enough habitat for the lizard and the required furnishings
- You need to be aware of what kind of food your new lizard will need
- You need to know how to properly handle a large lizard
Habitat size and furnishing for large pet lizards
Larger lizards like Tegus and Monitors can grow to over four feet in size. Before picking out a lizard of this size, make sure you will be able to house is properly. An infant Tegu or Monitor can be kept in a locked, secure aquarium, but it will eventually outgrow this setting. At that point, you will need a larger habitat for it, at least six feet by three feet by two feet tall. But the larger the better. Some people actually have full rooms dedicated to their lizards. Not cages, but literally the entire room.
Regardless of the size of your habitat for your large lizard, there are certain elements that must be included. A shallow water dish can allow your lizard to soak and should be maintained regularly with fresh water. The base of the habitat should be covered in an appropriate substrate, or material lining the bottom of the cage. Cypress or eucalyptus mulch can be ideal for large lizards, as it will prevent them from ingesting the substrate while giving the opportunity to dig. These are also very absorbent, making them much easier to clean.
The temperature of the habitat is critically important. As lizards are cold blooded, there is far less tolerance for temperature extremes. Keeping the temperature around 80-85 degrees Fahrenheit (27-30 C) during the day with a basking spot (a rock or similar spot where the lizard can enjoy the higher temperature as needed) kept around 100-110 degrees Fahrenheit (38-43 C). If you want to maintain cooler temperatures in the evening. I definitely do not recommend using hot rocks, but instead focusing on heat lamps or heat maps.
Feeding large pet lizards
It is important to feed your pet lizard properly, and young Tegus or Monitors will eat crickets dusted with a vitamin supplement that includes calcium. As your lizard grows older and larger, it will begin eating pinky mice, followed by adult mice. These should be pre-killed. Additionally, adult lizards enjoy a variety of fruits and vegetables to increase their vitamin intake and vary their diet. It is possible to occasionally use canned dog food or eggs as a special treat, but avoid using these too much as in the long run they are very unhealthy for a lizard.
Handling large pet lizards
If you want a large lizard, I highly recommend starting with the Argentinian Black and White Tegu (Tupinambus merianae). They grow to a large size, but if you purchase one while it is young you can teach it to be extremely docile and easy to handle. They live for approximately 10-12 years, allowing for a long and rewarding relationship with your own lizard.
You must never forget that handling a large lizard comes with inherint risks involved. Even small lizards can leave you with a nasty bite but something like an Iguana or a Monitor can do some serious damage. Even going so far as to break bone and severe tendons. For this reason I highly recommend handling these animals with leather gloves, long sleeves and pants. At least initially as you form a bond with them.
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