I need help deciding!!! [SUGGESTIONS WANTED]

[Casper The Python :)]

I want a lizard that is 3ft or smaller, and not too expensive. But please nothing small and please do not suggest a leopard gecko or bearded dragon.

 

[rosebud945]

What sized and what type of enclosure do you have? Do you want a desert, semi desert, arboreal, or forest dweller? Part terrestrial and part water, or just terrestrial? I think you should figure out what kind of setup you want before you pick a lizard, right?

 

[Casper The Python :)]

Honestly, It doesn't matter to me I would purchase any set up...I have a 55 gallon enclosure but I will buy a larger tank if needed.

 

[rosebud945]

Do you have a little lizard keeping experience or a lot? Do you want a lizard that you can handle or one that is less interactive? Do you want one that is more or less high maintenance? I ask because people will often get lizards that they later regret because of the care involved or they cause the lizards to get sick because they didn't do careful research on husbandry. There are lots of really neat medium sized lizards in the pet trade, but I hesitate to suggest one without more info about your level of experience and available time and resources that you have to spend taking care of it. Does that make sense?

 

[Casper The Python :)]

I would like one that I can handle, I have kept an Iguana(BIG MISTAKE), Leopard Geckos, Bearded Dragons, and a Chameleon.

 

[Casper The Python :)]

Are you there?

 

[rosebud945]

Do you mind if I ask what happened with these other lizards?

 

[Casper The Python :)]

I still have all of them, except for the Iguana who passed from parasites-we tried helping him, but the vet couldn't.

 

[Casper The Python :)]

But do have any suggestions for the lizard?

 

[Casper The Python :)]

I have all of the lizards except the Iguana who passed away (from parasites).

 

[Casper The Python :)]

Any suggestions...anyone? SApython? Rosebud?

 

[rosebud945]

Well, if you are looking for easy, cheap to buy and keep, and fairly low maintenance, there are lots of beautiful and potentially friendly skinks that would fit in a 55. I wouldn't put a blue tongue in a tank that narrow, but a trio of fire skinks would do very well. Some people claim that they are overly shy and don't tolerate handling or interaction, but if you let them acclimate, they become very friendly. Mine eat out of my hand. If you are looking for dryer climate inhabitants that would cost more to set up and maintain, there are captive born collared lizards, captive born desert iguanas and captive born chuckwallas. These make excellent pets IF they are captive born, but they need accurate temps, proper diet, and UVB. The desert igs need desert like conditions like uros, but they stay fairly small compared to green igs, and with time, they become very curious and friendly. A chuck really needs a wider tank than a 55 and no shorter, and they are very intelligent, so you have to build a trust relationship with them. Then there are the plated lizards. The larger plateds make really good pets, but some require the drier, hotter climate and UVB, and they need a wider enclosure as they get fairly big, 20-25 inches or better.

You can look at the lizard classifieds on ks. If you see something that you think you might be interested in, do some research and join a species specific forum to ask questions. Care sheets are good, but communicating with people who actually successfully keep certain animals is invaluable.

 

[Casper The Python :)]

Thanks, how big to Fire Skinks get? And how big do desert iguanas get?

 

[Casper The Python :)]

...Nevermind I found it...thank you for all your help!