Which Lizards Make Good Pets?

Let's face it, reptiles aren't everyone's idea of a good pet. Some people may think of them as cold, unemotional and even bit repulsive. But spend a little time with any reptile and you will soon begin to appreciate their intriguing ways and demeanour.

One of the most important considerations for choosing a lizard for a pet is the size of the enclosure.If you buy a lizard as a baby, you may be looking after it for the next 20 years if it lives to be healthy. n this time however, it is likely to grow to be several times it's infant size.

Food is the other main consideration. Lizards have different digestive systems to mammals. Feeding them snacks like chocolate and candy is a bad idea and could potentially kill you pet. Depending on which species you choose, you are more likely to be feeding it vegetables, fruit, insects and worms. You need to carefully research the diet of your chosen lizard. This is one of the most important ways to keep it in good health fr the long term.

Here are some of the most common varieties of lizards that are suitable for keeping as pets.

Iguana

Iguanas are amongst the most common lizards to be kept as pets. they are relatively tame creatures and can live for a long time in captivity. One thing to bear in mind with iguanas however is their size. In the wild these creatures can grow to be massive, some have been measured at up to 7 feet. At this size it become unmanageable to keep as a pet.

Bearded Dragon

A Bearded Dragon is another popular choice for a lizard pet.They can grow up to about 20 inches and eat mainly insects such as crickets but also enjoy many fruits and vegetables. The have a spiky beard which fans out when the creature is threatened. Bearded dragons also display many different and beautiful colors.

Blue Tongued Skink

Skinks are another type f reptile that can make good pets. The blue tongued skink is famous for it's bright blue tongue. They can grow up to 20 inches too and enjoy a diet of earthworms.

Green Anole

The green anole a lizard that is native to North America. they also make good pets. Some people refer to the anole as the American Chameleon because tot has the ability to change color according to it's surroundings. However it is not related to this species at all.

Leopard Gecko

The leopard gecko is a smaller lizard which can grow up to 10 inches long.They can live for up to 15 years. It's a nocturnal ground dwelling lizard that is native to Central Asia and India. It has pigmentation similar to a leopard, with black spots over a yellow body.They are insectivores living mainly off insects, spiders and worms. One thing about leopard geckos is that they are solitary creatures so they will not appreciate sharing their habitat with any other animals.

Greg is an online journalist writing for a variety of websites. One of these sites talks about the best types of mouse deterrent.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Greg_Isaacs