Lizards as Pets

(Dragon Reptiles)

Considerations before Purchasing

Lizard (Dragon Reptiles) as a pet has important realities you must consider/understand before purchasing and bringing a lizard home as a pet.

1. Space Needs/Requirements

Lizard as a Pet

Lizards are active pets and require a large specialized terrarium – seek advice from professionals/Veterinarian on the proper size and shape terrarium for your chosen pet lizard:

1. The terrarium (glass or PVC) or wooden vivarium) must be secure and escape-proof – with a solidly fitted mesh lid
2. The terrarium must be properly ventilated and mimic the lizard’s natural environment
3. There must be a thermal gradient for a warm basking spot to cool side
4. Appropriate substrate
5. Branches for climbing
6. Hiding places for security
7. Food and water bowls

Be prepared to have a dedicated space in your home for the lizard’s terrarium home.

2. Temperature and Lighting

Lizard as a Pet

Lizard’s bodies are heat and light sensitive:

• Your pet lizard will require proper heat lams and UVB lighting inside the terrarium for survival
• Daily monitoring of the terrarium environment is not optional it is mandatory
• Neglect or a power outage will quickly become life-threatening

Heat and light must be attended to daily.

3. Diet and Live Foods

Lizard as a Pet

Lizards diet requires collecting/purchasing live foods:

• Water – fresh daily in a shallow dish
• Lizards exist on live insects such as crickets, mealworm – store bought to avoid wild insects with pesticides
• Leafy greens – collard greens, turnip greens, dandelion greens, kale
• Vegetables – shredded carrots, yellow squash, bell peppers, green beans
• Fruit – papaya, strawberries, blue berries, raspberries, mango

Lizards must avoid eating iceberg lettuce, onions, garlic.

4. Diet and Essential Supplements

Lizard as a Pet

Lizards require their foods to be “dusted” with supplemental powders – avoids/prevents metabolic bone disease:

• Calcium powder
• Multivitamin powder

Consult your veterinarian on quantity and use for your specific lizard pet.

5. Health Risks and Hygiene

Lizard as a Pet

Lizards are untamed animals in nature:

1. Reptile can carry salmonella (salmonellosis) – causes fever, diarrhea, stomach ache/pains
2. Mycobacterium marinum/chelonea – can cause infections and skin lesions in individuals with weakened immune systems
3. Campylobacteriosis – can cause severe diarrhea and abdominal pains
4. Botulism – a serious, potentially fatal disease caused by toxins
5. Aeromonas aquodic bacteria causing infections
6. Cryptosporidium – internal parasite

Wash hands every time you are ouching anything to do with your pet lizard.

6. Preventing Disease Transmission

Lizard as a Pet

It is every person/individual’s duty/responsibility to maintain constant cleanliness/sanitation against possible painful infections:

1. Wash hands with soap and water immediately after handling/touching your pet lizard, it’s food, water or any part of the secure enclosure
2. Do not permit your pet lizard to roam the kitchen or anywhere near your food supplies
3. Do not permit your pet lizard roaming on or near food prep areas no anyplace where food is consumed
4. Childre must be vigorously trained and supervised to ensure they never handle the lizard roughly and never put the lizard near their face – ensure children understand the reason/necessity of soap and water hand washing after handling the lizard

Constant reminding of disease prevention a safety must.

7. Enclosure Cleaning Rules

Lizard as a Pet

1. Never clean the enclosure nor anything to do with the enclosure in the kitchen – human food safety area
2. Never clean the enclosure nor anything to do with the enclosure in the bathroom
3. If you must clean the enclosure in your home – designate and area that will isolate the cleaning – then clean the area where you cleaned the enclosure – health safety first
4. Best cleaning solution – take the cleaning outside in a safe cleaning area
5. Financial Considerations

Lizard as a Pet

Pets are an expense for proper care.

Initial costs:

• Purchase price for lizard of your choice as pet
• Proper enclosure for your size lizard pet
• Required lighting
• Proper heat regulator
• Lizard décor inside the enclosure for a happy lizard

Ongoing Costs:

• Food – store purchased insects – no pesticides
• Electricity for maintenance of enclosure environment
• Replacements inside enclosure

Regular visits to your exotic pet veterinarian are costly but necessary for a healthy pet lizard.

9. Handling and Temperament

Child/Children Reality Check

Lizard as a Pet

You the parent/guardian/adult must maintain control at all times around children.

1. Some species of lizards can tolerate handling – others do not and can become regressive
2. Improper handling will cause stress for your pet lizard
3. Lizards/reptiles are not an “interactive” pet – hence are not ideal if your children are anticipating a cuddly pet

Consider, your child/children may lose interest – if that is a possibility do you really want to purchase a lizard pet.

10. Impact On Lifestyle and Travel Plans

Lizard as a Pet

Lizards are a care intensive pet.

• Do you have a reliable lizard sitter while you are away
• Taking our pet lizard on vacation involves numerous inconveniences

A lizard may not be for your family if your job/work/income involves travel.

11. Legal and Ethical Considerations

Lizard as a Pet

Certain species may be prohibited in your area for environmental reason – in case of escape

1. Certain species may be illegal to own
2. Owning a wild-caught lizard may be illegal in your area

Always purchase your pet lizard from a reputable/knowledgeable pet dealer.

Lizards are Escape Artists

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