MAIN Home Life Pets Lizards

Species of lizards number in the thousands, but there are only a good handful that make all-around great pets.

At the top of the list of easy-to-care-for varietes are the bearded dragon, and the leopard gecko.

In turn, species like the Komodo dragon lizard can outgrow many households, while the delicate chameleon should be kept away from unintentionally rough handling by curious kids.

Different types of lizards have different personalities, behaviors, handling needs and feeding requirements - but all are fascinating in appearance, a main attraction of owning such an "exotic" pet.

Generally speaking, lizards prefer controlled climates more closely related to their natural desert or tropical habitats, meaning warm, and not too moist. Since it is difficult to reproduce their natural diet (which consists mostly of insects or plants) feeding should be left to commercially prepared formulas for optimum nutrition. Also be sure to provide a bowl of fresh water daily.

Lizard living quarters may vary with each species, but generally include a terrarium or aquarium tank with plenty of room for stretching and exercise, generous amounts of light and air circulation, and low humidity to avoid common bacterial or fungal diseases.

Around the Web, learn more about a variety of lizards available from pet stores and online breeders, how to feed, house and care for them, plus expert tips & advice on choosing just the right lizard for you and your household ....

Lizards - Expert tips on choosing, caring for, feeding and housing lizards including advice on how to keep them healthy with details on common lizard diseases, hygiene and breeding.

Lizard Wizard - Care guides and photo galleries, with special focus on geckos including individual advice on gargoyle, pictus, leopard, banded, viper and velvet geckos.

Care and Feeding of Iquanas - Beginner guide with tips on housing and lighting, feeding and watering, special handling, and common health problems.

Global Gecko Association - A virtual encyclopedia of facts, information and photos, along with basic care sheets and related resources.

Husbandry, Diseases, Feeding & Care of Iguanas & Other Lizards - Excellent collection of informative articles on nutritional needs, specific disease conditions, hygiene requirements, nutrition and safety including tips & advice on raising iguanas, geckos, chameleons, bearded dragons.

Sundial Reptile Care Sheets - Basic information on the care & feeding of a variety of lizards, geckos, and iguanas with related photo galleries, plus sale & shipping information from a U.S. reptile breeder.

Reptile and Amphibian Care Sheets - Lizards - Directory list to more information on bearded, plated and collared lizards, chameleons, iguanas, and geckos, plus scroll down to more on snakes, turtles & turtoises with links to recommended books.

also see in Pets -> Aquarium Fish | Snakes | Turtles

Pet Supplies | Traveling with Pets