Leapin’ Lizards

Anole lizard

My husband wants a lizard.  Why, I don’t know.  I think he just wants one to torment the cats.   Living in the desert Southwest, we see lizards all the time.  I had no idea there were so many species of lizards, especially here in Arizona.

We see lizards in our driveway, racing across the rocks in our front yard, and climbing the trees.  I have no idea what type, or types, they are, just that they are small, fast, and kind of cute.  I told my husband if he can catch one, he can keep it for a pet.  Luckily, they are faster than he is.

Wild lizards are generally harder to tame, and are more apt to have parasites than lizards that are bred in captivity. However, according to the Center for Disease Control, up to 90 percent of reptiles, whether wild or tame, carry the Salmonella bacteria.  Therefore, lizards and other reptiles are not recommended as pets for young children.  You can prevent salmonella poisoning from reptiles by thoroughly washing your hands after contact with your reptiles.  You also should not wash their cage or dishes anywhere there is food preparation, such as the kitchen.

If you decide to get a lizard, you should do your research.  Read up on the type of lizard you are interested in to see how big it’s going to get, what it eats, and whether or not it needs special lighting.  Lizards may be cold-blooded, but they like to bask in the sun.

Make sure the tank you use is large enough for your lizard.  If you don’t get a tank initially that is large enough for your lizard’s adult size, you may be purchasing new tanks as your lizard grows.

Make sure there are plenty of rocks and branches for your lizard to climb, as well as a place for it to hide.  A plant, a rock, or a large tree branch placed on the bottom of the tank will allow your lizard to climb, play and hide as needed.

If you’ve never had a lizard as a pet, it’s best to start out with one that is easy to maintain.  Some types of geckos are good starter lizards.  A common lizard sold in pet stores is the green anole, which is very small and won’t take up much space.

Photo credit: Motley Pixel on Flickr

July 8th, 2009 by Beth VanHoose | Posted in Lizards | Comments (0)