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Good Lizards To Get?

C

CaseyUndead

New member
Ok. So, i recently got a corn snake. This has suddenly sparked a huge interest in reptiles. And i've been thinking that i'd really like to have some kind of lizard, too.

I want something i'll be able to handle and interact with. Also, preferably something that isn't that expensive to feed and keep. Geckos are cute, but everyone says you can't handle them a whole lot(plus, i'd like something bigger)... I know that i like bearded dragons, but it seems like having to buy loads of crickets would get way expensive(especially since the only place to get crickets is the overpriced pet shops!)... Uromastyx seem to be good since you usually only have to feed them vegetation, but i don't know how good they are to handle. So... yeah. I want some input from experienced reptile-keepers as to what would be a good lizard for me to get.
 
I would suggest either a Leopard Gecko (insectivorous) or Bearded Dragon (omnivorous - both Veggies & Insects). You really don't need to feed insectivorous reptiles crickets, I use mealies. Mealies are less of a headache then crickets.
 
You may want to consider a crested gecko. Primarily nectar eaters (occasionally, bugs), they can be handled as well if not better than a leo, and have fewer heating/lighting requirements than a bearded dragon.

regards,
jazz
 
blckkat said:
I would suggest either a Leopard Gecko (insectivorous) or Bearded Dragon (omnivorous - both Veggies & Insects). You really don't need to feed insectivorous reptiles crickets, I use mealies. Mealies are less of a headache then crickets.
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Geckos are just so little. I want something i can hold for a long time, put in my lap or on my shoulder around the house, etc. Can beardeds eat mealies instead of crickets? or.. how hard is it to raise your own crickets?...
 
CaseyUndead said:
Geckos are just so little. I want something i can hold for a long time, put in my lap or on my shoulder around the house, etc. Can beardeds eat mealies instead of crickets? or.. how hard is it to raise your own crickets?...
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I do not feed any of my insectivores animals crickets (and that includes my Bearded Dragons). Crickets smell and are not as easy to raise as mealworms, IMO.
 
Beardeds can eat mealworms, you just have to make sure that you also feed them plenty of veggies. From the description of what you are looking for, I'd say that a Bearded is exactly it. They have more personality than you can imagine, the set-up can be pricey but as long as you get everything you need to begin with you wouldn't have to worry about anything else other than food and replacing light bulbs occasionally. We're actually in the process of switching all of our breeders from crickets to mealworms because they are much easier to deal with.
 
blckkat said:
I do not feed any of my insectivores animals crickets (and that includes my Bearded Dragons). Crickets smell and are not as easy to raise as mealworms, IMO.
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ooo. How do you raise mealworms?
 
CaseyUndead said:
Geckos are just so little. I want something i can hold for a long time, put in my lap or on my shoulder around the house, etc. Can beardeds eat mealies instead of crickets? or.. how hard is it to raise your own crickets?...
Click to expand...
During the winter months, when their metabolism is ruled so much by photoperiod, my beardies will eat only superworms, and not even touch crickets. During the rest of the year, they'll attack crickets with vigor.

The only disadvantage is that worms are generally fattier than crix, so the lizards should be monitored a little more closely.

There are a number of people who also raise roaches for insectivores....I'm considering it myself. Easy to breed, easy to feed, and they don't stink like crickets do.

As for handling, there are many times that I've kept a beardie on my shoulder for up to three hours. Staying put is natural for them, as a part of their defense mechanisms in the wild from predation is to freeze and try to blend into the background.

I think they're great lizards....but their maintenance can sometimes be exasperating.

regards,
jazz
 
I just looked up some stuff of feeding bearded mealworms.. and a lot of people seem to be against feeding beardies mealworms often. :shrugs: a lot of people seem to be talking up silkworms, though.
 
A lot of people have the misconception that mealies will cause an impaction. I've been feeding mealies as feeders for 3 years and have never had an impaction. I believe it is just a wives tale that some people to this day believe.

Silkies are another good option as feeders, but are more expensive then mealworms and there care is a bit more complicated. As Jazz suggested, roaches are also now becoming a popular feeder (though some people are really freaked out about keeping roaches in there house).

As far as raising mealworms, put them in a tub with oatmeal and a few slices of potato, that's it.
 
Yeah.. a lot of people say that they don't have much nutritional value, too....?

what about those bearded dragon food pellets?
 
CaseyUndead said:
what about those bearded dragon food pellets?
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I tried the dry food pellets, and fuggetabowdit. Wouldn't touch 'em.

I supplement adults with the soft "Bearded Dragon Bites", made by Nature Zone. Both of my dragons will scarf those up....but I look at "manufactured" foods as no substitute whatsoever to the natural stuff....greens and bugs.

regards,
jazz
 
They are 2 different species that look similar. the supers get much larger and are supposedly less chitinous & better for your animal. I find that if I feed too much of either, i start finding undigested worms in my BDs poo. I use crickets, supers, phoenix worms, waxworms, and mealmorm larvae & sometimes their beetles. I have a roach colony that I am just waiting for babies and am just starting my hand at raising super worms. Crickets are dirty and STINKY and I will only occasionally hatch some out. they are not too expensive if purchased in bulk, but they are hard to get in the winter.

Also, he gets "iguana" salad and has pellets left out free choice (zoo med brand); he goes in phases with the pellets chowing down on mostly just them at times and other times the pellets just sit & sit.

Mealies are super easy to raise. I paid $10 for a colony about 3 or 4 years ago. I sift the colony 2-3 times per year and put everything alive into new bedding (corn meal, powdered milk, and oatmeal. I add some collard stems or carrots once in while to add some moisture, calories and nutirents and add fresh "feeder food" (the above mix) here & there, too. If I get sloppy, they just eat each other. They couldn't sustain themselves indefinitley but as long as I add some more energy here & there they keep on keepin on. When i do my sifting, I put the old junk in a separate container & re-sift a couple months later. Any tiny tinies or hatched eggs that passed through my sifter are then found and added into the main colony. THey can't climb & can be left in relatively shallow open containers (away from the cat).
 
cornspot said:
Mealies are super easy to raise. I paid $10 for a colony about 3 or 4 years ago. I sift the colony 2-3 times per year and put everything alive into new bedding (corn meal, powdered milk, and oatmeal. I add some collard stems or carrots once in while to add some moisture, calories and nutirents and add fresh "feeder food" (the above mix) here & there, too. If I get sloppy, they just eat each other. They couldn't sustain themselves indefinitley but as long as I add some more energy here & there they keep on keepin on. When i do my sifting, I put the old junk in a separate container & re-sift a couple months later. Any tiny tinies or hatched eggs that passed through my sifter are then found and added into the main colony. THey can't climb & can be left in relatively shallow open containers (away from the cat).
Click to expand...

Speaking of sifting, what do you use? I haven't been able to find anything I like that works well to sift mine.
 
cornspot said:
They are 2 different species that look similar. the supers get much larger and are supposedly less chitinous & better for your animal. I find that if I feed too much of either, i start finding undigested worms in my BDs poo. I use crickets, supers, phoenix worms, waxworms, and mealmorm larvae & sometimes their beetles. I have a roach colony that I am just waiting for babies and am just starting my hand at raising super worms. Crickets are dirty and STINKY and I will only occasionally hatch some out. they are not too expensive if purchased in bulk, but they are hard to get in the winter.

Also, he gets "iguana" salad and has pellets left out free choice (zoo med brand); he goes in phases with the pellets chowing down on mostly just them at times and other times the pellets just sit & sit.

Mealies are super easy to raise. I paid $10 for a colony about 3 or 4 years ago. I sift the colony 2-3 times per year and put everything alive into new bedding (corn meal, powdered milk, and oatmeal. I add some collard stems or carrots once in while to add some moisture, calories and nutirents and add fresh "feeder food" (the above mix) here & there, too. If I get sloppy, they just eat each other. They couldn't sustain themselves indefinitley but as long as I add some more energy here & there they keep on keepin on. When i do my sifting, I put the old junk in a separate container & re-sift a couple months later. Any tiny tinies or hatched eggs that passed through my sifter are then found and added into the main colony. THey can't climb & can be left in relatively shallow open containers (away from the cat).
Click to expand...

Can you use the mealies as the main insects in their diet? annnd.. about how many bugs do you have to feed an adult beardie every day?
 
CaseyUndead said:
Can you use the mealies as the main insects in their diet? annnd.. about how many bugs do you have to feed an adult beardie every day?
Click to expand...
The older they get the less you should feed them insects. I mainly feed mine Iguana Salad as well and atleast twice a week on insects. But I also feed mine "Bearded Dragon Bites" by Nature Zone as well and swear by it. I believe that you should give them a mixture of foods every week to keep things interesting for them. I also will feed my adult lizards, leopard geckos and bearded dragons every 2 weeks with a few pinkies. I have plenty here due to my snakes and it helps my leos get into breeding condition. The extra Calcium never hurts. They just love them. But bearded Dragons rock as pets.

Another lizard I recommend are Blue Tongue Skinks. I hear they make very good pets and are docile like bearded dragons. They cost a bit more but are neat.

Lizards I recommend staying away from.. yes there is a list.
Personally, I recommend staying away from Green Iguanas or any species of Iguana. I owned a Green and a Spiny tail and I will say they are more for the experts due to caging requirements and diet.

Next is the Chameleon, beautiful animal but again for the more experienced herper. They are very touchy as herps go, they are costly and just require special care and again caging requirements are specialized.

Uromastyx are great friendly lizards but require more heat than a bearded dragon (over a 100 degrees) and water can kill them. Yep, no water in their cage, they get all the water they need from the vegies you give them. So I would like to put these guys for the more experienced as well.

Monitors and tegus can be neat pets as well but many cities do not allow them and you will need to check your local laws on them. They are meat eaters, mice or rodents or your neighbors cat. Depending what kind you get and how big they are. So again, special requirements in the caging.

Now I am not trying to say never ever get the above lizards. I actually highly recommend getting them as time goes by. Get more experience and wait to get your own house. Many landlords frown on some of the larger herps.


So the good list.
Leopard Geckos
African Fat Tailed Geckos (same care as leopards)
Bearded Dragons
Crested Geckos
Blue Tongue Skinks

Now if you want smaller setups for decorative cages. Look but don't touch type of lizards. I do recommend (most of these are under $15)
Anoles
Long tail lizards
House Geckos
Mediterranean Geckos
Golden Geckos

So here are a few parting pictures for you.
First one is of one of my Leopards. Roman the Albino
Roman2copy.jpg



And here is a picture of my Anole setup which can be used for House Geckos, long tailed lizards and Golden Geckos.

DSCN2141.jpg


I have a very similar hanging cage like this that I keep them in during the Summer and hang them outside on my patio.
 
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