Recommendation for first Lizard?

[EightLeggedFreaks]

I want to eventually buy a Lizard, much like keeping Tarantula's I want to do my research first. I'm looking for something big but something that will remain somewhat docile and inviting. Does anyone have a recommendation? Since my Tarantula's get no satisfaction from being handled I want something that doesn't mind it!

I read somewhere that Lizards can be tamed, what extent does this go to?

 

[JZC]

Bearded dragon or a blue tongued skink come to mind. They are decent size. If you want bigger, I would look into an argentine black and white tegu. They tame down quite nicely and can be kind of like reptillian puppies I have heard. I really want one.

 

[EightLeggedFreaks]

So they can listen to voice commands? To an extent?

 

[JZC]

So they can listen to voice commands? To an extent?

I have not a clue. I would get one, but I already have a tortoise, so no space. You could look into it I would presume. I think that by puppy it is more like they swarm you for food and attention when they see you once they are used to you, handling, and have been tamed. Plus, the look completely badass.

 

[EightLeggedFreaks]

I have not a clue. I would get one, but I already have a tortoise, so no space. You could look into it I would presume. I think that by puppy it is more like they swarm you for food and attention when they see you once they are used to you, handling, and have been tamed. Plus, the look completely badass.

Yeah, I only know tarantulas! ARGH! LOL. I guess I'll have to wait to hear from some experts.

 

[JZC]

See what the internet has to say. TeguTalk.com is a good tegu forum i've heard.

 

[Stirmi]

Best handle able lizards in my opinion are..
1 leopard gecko
2 crested gecko
3 bearded dragon
4 skinks such as blue tongue skinks and others
5 knob tail gecko
6 black and white tegu
7 smaller monitors only certain species and individuals varie
8 iguanas if you work with them while there young
If I can think if others ill post them

 

[Solucki]

Definitely no expert but I have a bearded dragon and a leopard gecko. Gecko is very easy but more secretive. He does allow me to handle him very well but he kind of just tolerates it. He's a very cool low maintenance pet. The beardie is a great and outgoing animal but is also pretty high maintenance. He can come out and just hang with you while you watch tv, play video games or whatever. Be careful not to take him out before he does his "business" or you'll wind up with business all over. despite the downfalls he's a very rewarding and entertaining pet but its definitely not affectionate like a cat or dog.

 

[ManlyMan7]

I have a chill Bearded Dragon, and 2 awesome leopard geckos. I used to have a 4.5' male green iguana, who tried to take my thumb off once (nasty bite!), but it was totally my fault because he did exactly what I knew he would (I'm the one who didn't do what I knew to do!).

I now want an Argentine Black and White Tegu. From what I have read and seen, if worked with, they easily tame down and actually come to you for affection! As smart as monitors, so I guess that means they can learn commands too!

 

[Scoolman]

I have a chill Bearded Dragon, and 2 awesome leopard geckos. I used to have a 4.5' male green iguana, who tried to take my thumb off once (nasty bite!), but it was totally my fault because he did exactly what I knew he would (I'm the one who didn't do what I knew to do!).

I now want an Argentine Black and White Tegu. From what I have read and seen, if worked with, they easily tame down and actually come to you for affection! As smart as monitors, so I guess that means they can learn commands too!

And why have you not acquired one yet?!

 

[ManlyMan7]

Finding one! Breeders in Canada ask $500+ for their unsexed hatchlings. Those are currently out of stock. There WERE some offered in on of the towns I work in (posted online), but the adds must have been old (by a few weeks) as I never heard back from my inquiries.

 

[Formerphobe]

I've never kept a Bearded Dragon, but I see a lot in the veterinary practice where I work and have had opportunity to 'talk Beardies' and other lizards with a local Reptile Rescue. Beardies practically 'require' attention from their keeper to thrive, especially if kept as a single animal and not with another Beardie as a cage mate. Diet is especially important. We see so many in clinic with varying degrees of MBD (Metabolic Bone Disease) and/or constipation from poor diet and other inappropriate husbandry. Even captive bred animals will frequently have intestinal parasites that can proliferate when the animal is stressed - as in being shipped, transferred to new owner, rehoused, etc. Having an exotic veterinarian lined up in advance is extremely beneficial, even if you rarely or never need him/her.

I've also heard wonderful things about Chuckwallas. But, I don't know if it is legal to keep them in all jurisdictions without special permit. The reptile rescue I mentioned has one who is their mascot. He sits quite happily in his cushioned basket under a heat lamp during regularly attended reptile expos, and tolerates head pats, body stroking, chin chucking, etc from everyone and their brother. LOL

 

[MichelleLynn]

Haitian Curtly tails are a hardy lizard. They may not be the prettiest, but they are sturdy and fun to watch. They really like to burrow in sand. They are amazingly fast at disappearing into the substrate! They kind of "spin' down into the sand and are gone in 2 seconds. The Haitian that I had slept in the sand, but was out during the day.

And they are Cheap! I bought mine for $13.99!

 

[Munch]

This is what comes to mind no particular order
1 Bearded Dragon
2 Leopard Gecko
3 Bluey (blue tongue skink)
4 AFT
5 Crested Gecko
6 Steppe Runners (mini Tegus)
7 Curly Tails
8 Cuban Knight Anole
Hope It Helped, Have fun with your four legged miracle (Haha Pikia)

 

[gottarantulas]

Simple answer... the Green (or Brown phase if you prefer) Anole. They require basic care, are hardy, tame easily,etc.

 

[Aviara]

Anoles are really too skittish - and in addition very fragile - for regular handling. When I've had to work with anoles, they tend to be nervous, bitey little guys that don't calm down very well with repeated human interaction. Smaller gecko species (day geckos, house geckos, etc.) tend to be the same way.

The ideal "starter" lizards for handling, that are also readily available in most areas, are crested geckos, leopard geckos and bearded dragons. The bearded dragons are the easiest to handle in my experience and the most friendly, although they also require larger habitats and are a little more expensive to care for. Crested and leopard geckos are less "engaged" when being handled and tend to only tolerate it, but they take up less space and are a little easier/cheaper to care for.

If you are looking for something a little more difficult, I would agree that skinks and tegus are great lizards - although not usually lizards I recommend as a starter/first. I don't have first-hand experience owning skinks. I do, however, own a Columbian black and white tegu - "Chomper" - who is still a juvenile. The Columbians are considered less tameable than the Argentinians, but I liked the idea of the more challenging variety of tegu. As long as you handle them from a young age you can develop a good bond with these lizards - they are about as intelligent as monitor lizards and enjoy their owners as more than simply a source of food. My tegu gets a painstakingly blended mix of fruits, greens, egg and his staple diet - ground turkey - along with appropriate supplements and feeder insects for variety. Like a spoiled child, I have to mix his fruits and veggies into his meat to hide them from him. He's "potty trained" in that he holds in his feces until his morning bath and he hand feeds well.

As a last little tidbit, I will point out that monitor lizards, unlike tegus, are not a good lizard to purchase for a companion/for handling. You can find many videos online of people handling their "docile" juvenile savannah monitors. If you do some research into the monitor lizard community, however, you quickly learn that these monitors are simply sick and lethargic. Almost all monitor species available are mean, nasty little guys and more suited as a large display lizard than a companion. Certainly these are not good starter lizards! Neither are green iguanas, as they have very sensitive care requirements and are large, temperamental adults. There are other lizards to consider, but I tried to list the most common lizards you will find in your search for your first!