NEED FAST REPLIES: Chlamydosaurus kingii (frilled neck lizard) question

[Tarantuloid]

A local pet store is having their annual reptile event where they have a most unusual lizard species for sale (one left) under the scientific name Chlamydosaurus kingii. They don't normally carry these lizards, but they were special ordered for a customer who then cancelled their purchase, leaving the store stuck with one baby frilled neck lizard.

I'm kinda temped to get this lizard, but the diet remains vague. One paper says they are primarily insectivores and will do fine eating gut loaded crickets, mealworms etc. but another sheet says they HAVE to have leafy greens mixed with their diet similar to that of a bearded dragon. They usually go for $150, but because it's reptile rally, he is on sale for $80 until the store closes tonight at 7.

What do you think of these lizards? I've had bearded dragons, and they do need a large arboreal terrarium, but are they fairly easy?

 

[JZC]

If this is petcos reptile rally, avoid it like the plague, otherwise I don't know.

 

[buddah4207]

If this is petcos reptile rally, avoid it like the plague, otherwise I don't know.

I agree, if it's petco it most likely won't end up good.

 

[Tarantuloid]

yeah it was, it's too late now but I decided to pass on that I didn't have enough information regarding the maintenance of this species. I'd rather play it safe then buy an animal I clearly don't understand yet haha

 

[SamuraiSid]

Before I fell head over heels in love with Varanids, Frillys were at the top of my herp wishlist. From the research I did, they are insectivores but some individuals will accept plant matter.
If you gut load your feeders with calcium rich foods (dark leafy greens like mustard and collard greens) you could avoid attempting plant matter.


Diet is a major issue with all captive reptiles, and unfortunately most sources focus on proper enclosures, and vaguely tell you to offer a varied diet as if thats all that matters. Then again, if you look at all the misinformation given to north americans about diet, and the obesity epidemic, and the odd fact that every year the diet industry keeps making more and more money, and people are getting fatter than ever..... I guess what Im trying to say is that diet is far more complicated an issue than most people comprehend, and it really isnt enough to simply vary the diet if your real goal is great health for your herp.... I could rant on and on and on, but Ill stop there for now.

That being said, if you like the Frilled Dragon, I highly suggest you keep doing your research and then find a reputable breeder and buy a hatchling.

 

[Tarantuloid]

Before I fell head over heels in love with Varanids, Frillys were at the top of my herp wishlist. From the research I did, they are insectivores but some individuals will accept plant matter.
If you gut load your feeders with calcium rich foods (dark leafy greens like mustard and collard greens) you could avoid attempting plant matter.


Diet is a major issue with all captive reptiles, and unfortunately most sources focus on proper enclosures, and vaguely tell you to offer a varied diet as if thats all that matters. Then again, if you look at all the misinformation given to north americans about diet, and the obesity epidemic, and the odd fact that every year the diet industry keeps making more and more money, and people are getting fatter than ever..... I guess what Im trying to say is that diet is far more complicated an issue than most people comprehend, and it really isnt enough to simply vary the diet if your real goal is great health for your herp.... I could rant on and on and on, but Ill stop there for now.

That being said, if you like the Frilled Dragon, I highly suggest you keep doing your research and then find a reputable breeder and buy a hatchling.

From what I did find on the internet, they have to be kept in a 55 gallon enclosure. It was almost an impulse buy for me since it was a hatchling of a species I find interesting, but I just don't have an enclosure that big. I was expecting the size requirements to be similar to that of a bearded dragon, but they are much more active and need tons of space (vertically)