So you want a lizard … but is keeping one healthy & happy too complicated?
The answer to this is a matter of opinion. As with getting any animal companion, there is a learning curve. However, once you surpass that little hill, We believe lizard companionship is worth the time and investment.
When we research appropriate lighting, heat, humidity, & diet for any reptile, it can be overwhelming and seem like rocket science! Getting conflicting answers to our queries online & in reference books doesn’t help matters any.
A tip we can offer is this: Never take any one answer or suggestion for lizard care as the definite answer. Take notes of information from multiple sources and notice how many claim something is true, from what your lizard should never eat to how warm the basking area should be.
Rely on what seems to be the best guidelines based on your findings, then just be aware of changes in your lizards behavior, appetite & pooing frequency. If all seems well after a few weeks, chances are, you’ve done an excellent job of supplying needs to your new friend!
* Hassle-free shopping below:
WE HAVE YOUR EASY ONE-STOP SHOPPING RIGHT HERE – all the hardware you need for your lizard, from the enclosure, to the light fixtures and bulbs, and even a hammock for a happy lounging lizard!!
Ideal for many lizards, including the Bearded Dragons (adult size is up to 24 in./60+ cm.) and other species of near similar size and requirements, such as Leopard Geckos (adult size is up to 10 in./25+cm.) and some species of Uromastyx (often up to 18 in./45+cm. – know which species you’re getting, the U. aegyptia reaches 91 cm. which = 36 inches).
We’ve done the research friends! Some of these products we use currently, others we don’t, simply because of what we already have. We’ve done the work so you don’t have to!
A portion of the percentage we obtain from selling price of the purchases you make by clicking on the items below – and making the purchases within 24 hours will be utilized to help keep Lizardplanet.com operational as well as be donated to aid facilities that save and support abused, neglected, & tortured reptiles! For more information, stay tuned in by ‘following‘ us with Lil’ Murph at Lizardplanet.com. You will receive occasional emails to let you know when we’ve posted something informative or fun. We will periodically share info regarding the facility(s) or ‘No-Kill’ shelter(s) we’ve helped together!
Let’s begin the shopping process, shall we? Here’s what you need and why:
*****Clicking on the images will take you right where you need to go!! There are payment options too!*****
For your enclosure, select the one you feel fits your style and needs. For a baby Bearded Dragon, for example, you could start with, a small, cheaper, 20 gallon capacity tank, which = dimensions of roughly 24” wide x 12” deep x 16” tall, but realize they grow up quickly.
Bigger is better here because you’re going to save money in the long run if you buy the enclosure that suits your lizard for all the years of his/her life. She or he will spend many hours caged in, so it’s vital to not be cruel and give them space!
Step 1: Choose your lizard. Before you purchase, rescue, or adopt one (internet search engines will help you do this, as will we, if needed, via the ‘contact page‘), don’t forget to investigate how large they will get & how many years you might enjoy your beautiful new friend. It’s important you are certain you want this commitment & will be a loyal friend for all his or her days.
Step 2: You chose your lizard! It’s time to choose the enclosure while considering where in your home it will look fantastic! Lizards often enjoy looking out a window, but that doesn’t always work out. It’s okay.
Now that you’ve selected the species and the enclosure. You need an item to elevate the enclosure…
Step 3: You can choose below how to do this based on the enclosure you really like. If you have a sturdy piece of furniture already or would like to build your own stand, that’s great!! Keep in mind the weight capacity for such an item!
This sturdy item will accommodate the largest enclosure option with a little extra room on the sides. It will house cords, extra bulbs, and other items for your new pet. :
This item is suited for the smaller enclosure, looks great, and also will house all those little extras! :
Step 4: You will need special fixtures for the vital bulbs your lizard needs. You will place the UVA/full-spectum (your lizard MUST have this exposure) bulb in one socket, in the other, can be the infrared bulb to add more heat to get the basking area to the temperature it needs to be (research what that temp. is for your lizard). If your home is cold at night, you may place a warming nightlight in one of the sockets (all bulbs are offered below). :
UVB is a necessity! Without it, many lizards will, without a doubt, get Metabolic Bone Disease. It is good, but not necessary to have UVB shining down the entire length of the enclosure, but definitely at the basking area where your lizard will spend most of his or her time. *It’s my understanding heat rocks have caused burns. I believe if you design the basking area well, there is no need for another heat source such as this.
Bearded Dragons need to be roughly 6 -8 inches from the UVB source of the 10.0 bulb when basking (research this in regards to your lizard species). I do not recommend anything less. However, it isn’t uncommon to buy a UVB fixture with possibly a 5.0 bulb included. If you must use a lesser UVB output than 10.0, raise the basking area so your lizard is closer to heat & vital output, and get a stronger bulb as soon as possible. Here are options of 18 (45.72cm.) and 24 (60.92cm.) inches UVB fixtures:
Step 5: Buy the bulbs. In so doing, always verify that your fixtures safely accommodate the wattage and voltage of the bulbs you intend to use & the bulbs fit the fixture size.
The option below is simply a nightlight. It isn’t necessary unless you need to keep it warmer inside the enclosure overnight.
Step 6: We have to plug these fixtures into a reliable electrical source. You may also set the lights to a timer. This turns the lights on or off at the times you program the timer to do so. Here are plug options. :
Consider how many plugs you have for your setup, how you’ll arrange it, & which power source works for you.
Step 7: Pick the substrate – right here I want to state I have not yet used the Excavator. It looks fun to do (I read to use as many pounds of it as is equal to the # of gallons your tank will hold, you’ll be adding water & sculpting it). If you choose, you probably don’t need to do the entire enclosure floor.
Maybe you can do half Excavator, and half sand. That being stated, if you observe your lizard ingesting a concerning amount of substrate, such as sand, and is not pooing frequently enough, change to something else. Impaction is a deadly concern here.
If all else fails, supply newspaper for the poo, or a collection of old sheets which to use as bedding (substrate). Don’t wash these with clothing and linens, your lizard can actually have it’s own laundry hamper or box. Lizards actually appreciate something soft too curl up to anyway.
Now it’s time to perfect that basking area and status of the enclosure overall in regards to heat/humidity
Step 8: Check the temperature for their health!
I highly suggest you get a second opinion, digitally. Once in a while, check the accuracy of your thermostat with this (you can check the surface temperature of other things too – out of curiosity. :
Step 9: It’s time to accessorize! It’s the funnest step after choosing your lizard companion. I will inform you the background option below changes prices with the size you select… and yes, I know there’s a fogless shower mirror down there, but lizards usually look at how lovely there are! A safety tip: make sure everything is secure, that nothing will fall or flop over. HAVE FUN!
I recommend using a harness when venturing outdoors with your vulnerable lizard who needs protected from people, cars, snakes, etc.
Finally, the diet is what needs thought of. Calcium powder is important. You may also need a multi-vitamin. These and dishes for your pal are found below. It is best to research the diet requirements for you lizard.
A variety is a must. A lizard being fed only a couple things will become malnourished, just as we would.
Watch the oxalates & find out what is toxic to your new friend. Advise caretakers of this as well. Organic & chemical free everything is best, otherwise rinse all produce very well. Many lizards don’t seem to focus on water that is still & in a dish, you can wet a finger tip often, then place it on his or her lips, to help teach that it is there.
Clean that dish and change water every day if needed or every other day at least. Many lizards (predominantly the desert species) do not need to drink water IF they are getting plenty of veggies & fruits with their natural water content, but always have it available.
For crickets and worms, the item below is great! It gives them a better life with more space until, well, the end. Don’t forget to feed the crickets & worms fresh food, and maybe even give them a little place to hide. Don’t forget, what they eat, you’re lizard ultimately eats. In many cases, lizards eat less live food as they age, preferring a more vegetarian diet.
We hope this genuinely helped in the decision-making process for you. We are here to help with any questions or concerns via that ‘Contact‘ page! We hope you tap that “follow” button and become our new friends!
We urge you to please click our link: https://lizardplanet.com/2019/12/13/choosing-a-charity/ to watch the videos so you may see for yourself what is really going on behind the scenes to our little lizard friends! You won’t believe what they’re doing at the mills that supply reptiles to pet stores (their suffering may weigh heavily on your heart)!
Lizards may win your heart, and the mistreatment of them will surely crush it. They need us. They need love! They need help to get away from the people that have no heart for their right to life, any type of liberty, or even a chance to be happy.
Many will agree all lizards offer joy to their humans, they’re funny, loving, & many of them love to cuddle when they are sleepy! They can be highly intelligent & full of personality!
Our lizards have without a doubt, shown love in return for our own! We hope you & any beautiful lizard you choose will have many happy years together!
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Thank you,
“Give me Lizardry or give me Death!” – Dawn Renee
