If you are looking for a new pet a lizard can make a great pet if you prepare properly for it. Not all lizards are good for all people, but there is almost certainly one that will fit your lifestyle.
- Four things to keep in mind
- When you begin to consider a pet lizard there are 4 things you should think about.
- How big will it be when full grown?
- Like any other animal a lizard grows as it get older. Some lizards, such as Leopard Geckos will stay small while other like Iguanas will grow many times their size as babies. When you pick out a lizard be sure to know how large it will be in a few years time.
- How much room will it need?
- A lizard can not be left to roam in the house like a cat or dog. Often they can be given time out of their cages, but they shouldn’t be left out all the time. It needs to have an appropriate sized enclosure for the species of lizard it is. An animal like the Black and White Argentina Tegu will need a cage that is approximate 8x4x3 feet in size. A male can grow nearly 5 feet in length.
Of course there are many that don’t need that much room, but you need to plan accordingly and do your research BEFORE you chose your lizard.
- How long will it live?
- Reptiles live long lives when compared with other animals. Snakes live easily in excess of 20 years while lizards can reach 10 to 15 years without any problem. Be sure to get an animal that you are willing to have around over a decade after you get it. While no one can predict what is going to happen that far ahead you can at least arm yourself with the knowledge of how long your pet might be around.
- Are you able to take care of it properly?
- This might seem an obvious consideration, but many lizards are a spur of the moment buy with no thought given to the long term. Just like any other animal you’ll need to feed and water it, clean up after it, ensure it gets enough exercise, and is cared for by a veterinarian when needed. Taking care of a pet lizard means more than being willing to do so. It also means being able both in a financial sense and an educated sense.
- Knowing why you want a pet lizard
- It’s not good enough to simply know you want a lizard. You need to know why. Perhaps it’s just a phase you are going through? Maybe you think it will make you seem “cool” to your friends. It could also be that you have a genuine interest in learning about and caring for these incredible animals. Not all reasons are created equal and getting a lizard for the wrong one will lead to regret
- Deciding where to shop
- When you finally settle on a lizard the next step is to find a place to buy it. There are many, many lizard breeders throughout the United States and the vast majority of them can be found online. A number of websites cater to these small businesses. Sites such as Fauna Classifieds provide a daily listing of available lizards, and equipment for sale.
You might even be fortunate enough to find a local breeder within a reasonable distance of your home. If you can find one in your area and they have what you want then consider buying from them. The last place you should consider buying a lizard from is a major chain pet store. The animals unfortunately are often sick, over priced, and have a high mortality rate.
In the end it is up to you to decide why you want a lizard, if you are responsible enough to have it, and where to shop for it at. But you’ll find it much more enjoyable if you do your homework and take into consideration the factors above.
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