Lizards as pets: The essential guide

Are you thinking about getting a pet that is not only fascinating but also unique? Terraristics, the hobby of keeping exotic animals in captivity, requires specific knowledge and dedication. Then a lizard could be just the thing for you! Lizards are fascinating creatures that have their own charm and special needs. Terrarium animals such as lizards, geckos, amphibians and arachnids offer a wide variety of possible pets that are also suitable for beginners. But before you get a lizard, it’s important to do your research to make sure you and your future pet are a good match. Additional information on ideal setups, potential problems and user experiences is essential.

Lizard species for your terrarium

There are many different types of lizards that can be kept as pets. Each species has its own special features and requirements. It is important that these animals are kept in a species-appropriate way to ensure their well-being and development. Here are some popular and interesting species that you could consider as new inhabitants for your terrarium:

Leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius)

• Size: About 20 to 25 cm long.
• Habitat: Steppe and desert areas.
• Temperature: Needs a heat source, 25-30°C is optimal.
• Humidity: 30-40%, not too humid.
• Feeding: Mainly eats insects such as crickets, grasshoppers and mealworms.
• Special feature: Easy to care for, different colour varieties, ideal for beginners.

The leopard gecko is a real eye-catcher with its bright eyes and vibrant patterning. These small lizards are known for their calm and uncomplicated nature, which makes them great pets for beginners. Despite being easy to keep, geckos have specific care and housing requirements that need to be considered. They are nocturnal and love to snooze in their hiding places during the day. With a wide range of colour variations and easy care, leopard geckos are charming companions that will delight you with their inquisitive behaviour.

Bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps)

• Size: Between 40 and 60 cm, including tail.
• Habitat: Dry and semi-dry regions.
• Temperature: Needs a heat source, 28-35°C is optimal.
• Humidity: 20-30%, requires a dry climate.
• Feeding: Omnivorous, eats insects and plant foods such as vegetables.
• Special feature: Very trusting, can recognise and interact with humans.

Bearded dragons have a very special appearance, which is emphasised by their spiky beard and friendly eyes. These larger lizards are not only striking, but also very trusting. They enjoy climbing and sunbathing extensively in their terrarium. Bearded dragons are known for their lively personalities and their ability to interact with their keepers. They will often give you the feeling that they recognise and like you!

Green iguana (Iguana iguana)

• Size: Up to 2 metres, including tail.
• Habitat: Tropical rainforests.
• Temperature: Requires high temperatures around 25-35°C.
• Humidity: 70-80%, requires humid climate.
• Feeding: Herbivorous, prefers fresh fruit and vegetables.
• Speciality: Very large and impressive, requires a lot of space and special care.

If you have space and are looking for an impressive flatmate, then the green iguana is just right for you. With its impressive size and bright green colouring, it will attract everyone’s attention. However, these majestic lizards need plenty of space and special care. Their intelligent eyes and almost prehistoric appearance make them fascinating objects of observation that require a lot of patience and dedication.

Blue tongue skink (Tiliqua scincoides)

• Size: 45 to 60 cm.
• Habitat: Australia, in tropical to temperate regions.
• Temperature: 26-33°C is optimal.
• Humidity: 30-40%, moderate conditions.
• Feeding: Omnivorous, eats insects, snails and plant food.
• Speciality: Known for their blue tongue, robust and adaptable.

The blue tongue skink is a robust and charismatic reptile, known for its distinctive blue tongue. These lizards are highly adaptable and relatively easy to care for, making them great pets. Their stocky body shape and leisurely nature make them relaxed companions that enjoy exploring their surroundings. They are curious and are sure to charm you with their quirky “smile” and gentle nature.

Chameleon (Chamaeleonidae)

• Size: Between 15 and 70 cm, depending on the species.
• Habitat: Rainforests and savannahs.
• Temperature: Requires temperatures of 22-32°C.
• Humidity: 50-70%, high humidity.
• Feeding: Eats live insects such as crickets, flies and grasshoppers.
• Special feature: Changes colour for camouflage, requires a special terrarium with climbing facilities.

The chameleon is a true wonder of nature, famous for its ability to change colour. These fascinating lizards have a quiet, sedate lifestyle and are always a bit mysterious. They need a special terrarium with plenty of climbing opportunities and careful care. If you enjoy having a little piece of rainforest in your home and are a patience player, then a chameleon will delight you with its grace and unique abilities.

Helmeted Basilisk (Basiliscus plumifrons)

• Size: Up to 90 cm, including tail.
• Habitat: Humid rainforests of Central America.
• Temperature: The optimum temperature is 26-32°C.
• Humidity: 60-80%, needs high humidity.
• Feeding: Omnivorous, eats insects and occasionally plants.
• Speciality: Can walk on water, needs a large habitat.

The helmet basilisk is an impressive reptile, known for its ability to walk on water – hence the nickname “Jesus lizard”. These lizards are energetic and need plenty of space to climb and explore. With their distinctive head ornamentation and lively behaviour, they are a real spectacle. They love to be active and will mesmerise you with their acrobatic skills and exotic appearance.

Eremias arguta

• Size: About 15 to 20 cm.
• Habitat: Steppes and deserts of Central Asia.
• Temperature: Needs temperatures around 25-35°C.
• Humidity: 20-30%, dry climate.
• Feeding: Insectivore, prefers small insects and spiders.
• Characteristic: Very active and fast, needs sandy ground.

The Eremias is a lively little reptile that is perfect for people who like to see a lot of movement and activity in their terrarium. These small lizards are agile and love to dash around in their sandy environment. Their alertness and lively temperament make them entertaining companions that you will soon get to know well with a little patience and love.

Ackie monitor (Varanus acanthurus)

• Size: Up to 70 cm.
• Habitat: Dry regions of Australia.
• Temperature: Prefers temperatures of 26-38°C.
• Humidity: 20-40%, dry climate.
• Feeding: Eats mainly insects, smaller vertebrates.
• Special feature: Very intelligent and curious, needs a large terrarium.

The Ackie monitor is a small but fascinating monitor lizard that impresses with its intelligence and curiosity. These lizards are very clever and like to explore their surroundings. With their strong tail and alert eyes, they are always ready for an adventure in their terrarium. If you provide them with a varied habitat, they will delight you with their brash behavior and interaction.

Crowned gecko (Correlophus ciliatus)

• Size: Up to 25 cm.
• Habitat: Wet forests of New Caledonia.
• Temperature: Optimal is 22-28°C.
• Humidity: 50-70%, moderate to high humidity.
• Feeding: Insects and soft fruits.
• Special feature: Can cling to smooth surfaces, ideal for small terrariums.

The crowned gecko is a charming climber with a soft skin and a gentle nature. These lizards are perfect for small terrariums and love to cling to smooth surfaces. Their ability to become almost invisible and their inquisitive nature make them adorable companions that you can watch for hours. With their friendly facial expressions and adorable behavior, they will quickly win your heart.

Habitat and equipment for reptiles

For your lizard to feel at home, it needs a terrarium that mimics its natural habitat as closely as possible. The species-appropriate keeping of animals such as lizards, chameleons and other exotic animals requires special attention in terms of terrarium size, nutrition, climate and ventilation. The right equipment is crucial for the well-being and health of your animal. Here are some important aspects to consider:

Size of the terrarium

The size of the terrarium depends on the type of lizard you want to keep. Smaller lizards such as leopard geckos require less space, while larger lizards such as green iguanas need more space. Ground-dwelling animals need a terrarium with a large floor area in order to have sufficient freedom of movement. Tree-dwelling lizards such as chameleons, on the other hand, need a high terrarium with plenty of climbing opportunities. A well-proportioned terrarium promotes your lizard’s natural freedom of movement and behavior.

Temperature regulation

Lizards are cold-blooded animals, which means that they rely on external heat sources to regulate their body temperature. A terrarium should therefore be equipped with a heat lamp that creates a warm zone in which the lizard can heat up. The ideal temperature varies depending on the species. For example, leopard geckos require a temperature between 25-30°C, while bearded dragons prefer a zone of 28-35°C. A thermometer will help you to keep an eye on the temperatures in the terrarium.

Humidity

The right humidity is another decisive factor for the well-being of your lizard. Lizards from arid regions, such as the desert lizard, prefer low humidity, while tropical lizards such as green iguanas require a high humidity of 70-80%. To regulate the humidity in the terrarium, you can use foggers, water bowls and regular spraying. These measures help to ensure the right humidity and create a healthy climate.

Hiding places and furnishings

Lizards love to hide as this makes them feel safe and protected. The terrarium should therefore offer several hiding places, such as stones, branches and special caves. For arboreal animals, climbing plants and stable branches are important to provide them with sufficient climbing opportunities. These elements not only contribute to safety, but also stimulate your lizard’s natural behavior. In addition, decorative plants – real or artificial – can enrich the terrarium and create a pleasant environment.

Lighting and UVB lamps

Good lighting is crucial for the health of your lizard. UVB lamps are particularly important as they provide the UVB light necessary for many lizards to produce vitamin D3 and metabolize calcium. Without sufficient UVB light, lizards can suffer from bone disease. The lighting should be tailored to the needs of your specific lizard species and ensure that all areas of the terrarium are well lit.

Water supply

Water supply is also an important aspect of lizard care. A water dish in the terrarium ensures that your lizard has access to fresh water at all times. For species that are used to licking water from leaves, regular spraying or the installation of a drip system can be useful. Make sure that the water is changed regularly to ensure a hygienic environment.

Feeding and caring for lizards

Lizards have different nutritional needs and require specialized husbandry. Here are some general tips:

• Insects: Many lizards, such as leopard geckos and bearded dragons, eat mainly insects such as crickets, grasshoppers and mealworms.
• Plants: Species like the green iguana are herbivores and require a diet of fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Calcium and vitamins: For healthy bones and a strong immune system, lizards should be regularly supplied with calcium and vitamin supplements.

Advantages and challenges of keeping lizards as pets

As pets, lizards offer a unique and exciting alternative to conventional pets such as dogs or cats. One of the biggest advantages is that they take up less space. Unlike large four-legged friends, most lizard species require a manageable terrarium that can be easily accommodated even in smaller living spaces. These compact terrariums are often easier to maintain and take up less space. Keeping lizards can also be considered beginner-friendly, as they often require less care than some other pets.

In addition, these reptiles are fascinating creatures that impress with their exotic and often very specific behavior. They provide hours of entertainment, be it through the way they climb, hunt or hide. Observing their natural behaviors can be very rewarding and offers a glimpse into another world. Their calming presence and the opportunity to experience a piece of nature in your own home make lizards unique pets.

Another great benefit is that lizards are generally allergy-friendly. People who are allergic to conventional pets find the small dragons an ideal alternative, as they do not shed hair and release fewer allergenic substances. This makes them particularly suitable for allergy sufferers who do not want to do without animal company.

Challenges and considerations when keeping lizards

Despite the many benefits, there are also some challenges that need to be considered when keeping lizards. One of these is the long lifespan of many species. A gecko, for example, can live up to 20 years. This means that choosing a lizard is a long-term commitment and should be well considered. The responsibility that comes with caring for a long-lived animal should not be underestimated.

Lizards have very specific requirements for keeping and caring for them. This includes the need to create a terrarium that mimics their natural living conditions as closely as possible. This requires not only the right temperature and lighting, but often also a certain humidity and the provision of special hiding places and climbing opportunities. In addition, their diet is often demanding and must be tailored precisely to the species in question.

Overall, small lizards as pets offer an exciting and enriching experience, but one that comes with specific requirements and a long-term commitment. However, if you prepare well and take into account the special needs of these fascinating animals, you can have a lot of fun keeping a lizard.