![]() Stories can be viewed on the Web at /news/pet-talk.Tiny Dragon Keeper Leopard Gecko Lover Lizard Reptile Shirt. Pet Talk is a service of the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University. If you will commit to their care, lizards can give you many years of enjoyment. Not only can you learn a lot about reptiles in general, but you can also amaze your friends and family with your new knowledge and your new pet. Owning a pet lizard can be a fun and educational experience, as long as you do your research before bringing your pet home. ![]() “Remember that many lizards may need heat lights, UVB lights, or misters, so timers and power strips could prove beneficial.” “Enclosures can also be as extensive as a multi-level enclosure with plants, hides, waterfalls, aspen shavings, etc,” explains Shisk-Saling. Generally, however, people enjoy decorating their cages to make them look like the animal’s native habitat. “Depending on the species, you may get by with as little as just an enclosure (such as an aquarium, plastic tote, or a wire cage) with a hide box and water bowl,” says Shisk-Saling. Once you have decided which lizard is the right pet for you, what are some initial items you need to buy? They also need warm temperatures, high humidity, and special lighting, so a prospective owner needs to be aware of their maintenance needs.” A downside to these lizards, however, is that without handling, they can be flighty. “They can be tamed down with some handling and are fairly easy to feed. “Blue Tongue Skinks are a bit more of a challenge but a nice sized lizard with impressive looks,” says Shisk-Saling. The skink can grow up to 12 to 14 inches, and the Chinese Water Dragon, at 2 to 3 feet with its tail, is a bit larger. If you are looking for a slightly more challenging pet lizard, a Chinese Water Dragon or a Blue Tongue Skink may be the pet for you. However, since they are nocturnal, they can be a little nippy when their beauty sleep is disturbed!” “They are fairly easy to feed, and they require no special lighting. “Leopard geckos are also a good pet since they stay small (about 5 to 10 inches) and can be kept in a 10 gallon aquarium their whole lives (roughly 10 to 12 years)”, says Shisk-Saling. They can also be kept in readily available containers.” Notes Shisk-Saling, “they are fairly easy to feed, but they can be picky eaters if you are not committed to feeding them right, for they cannot live on crickets alone. ![]() Their smaller size is part of what makes them good beginner pets, along with the fact that they are very personable and social. ![]() If the idea of feeding live crickets makes you squeamish, you may want to consider a different animal.īearded Dragons live 10 to 12 years and can grow up to be 8 to 10 inches long. It is also important to consider what each lizard eats. Of course, there are pros and cons to each species and other factors to consider when deciding which is the right lizard for you, such as how long each lives and how big they get.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |