What Type of Lizard Makes the Best Pet?

Are you thinking about purchasing a lizard for a pet? Are you new to owning lizards? Do you want an easily tamed and well maintained lizard? If so, a leopard gecko is the perfect lizard for you. These cute little creatures are usually yellow and white, and have black spots. A leopard gecko is the most popular lizard for beginners.

Leopard geckos are nocturnal, which means they are awake during the night. Most leopard geckos are extremely meek and very easy to tame. A 15-20 gallon tank is big enough for this type of lizard and they do not require any UV lighting in their cage. Be sure to provide plenty of hiding and climbing spaces for your lizard, such as logs and rocks.

A leopard gecko's diet consists of crickets, waxworms and mealworms. Young lizards should be fed three to four crickets a day, while an adult lizard may be fed six to 10 crickets every other day. Provide your geckos with a small dish to put their food in. A deeper dish is better because their live food will not be able to escape. A small dish filled with water should be supplied for your pet and cleaned regularly.

Be careful to not place their tank in direct sunlight, as the overheating of the cage will kill your pet. Using paper towels or newspapers as lining for the bottom of your cage will save you money and time. You will be able to see the dropping and messes, allowing for a faster clean-up. Remember to never house more than one male in the same cage. Adult males can be very territorial and will sometimes fight to the death over their cage. Keep the lizard's cage off of the floor and provide a screen-top for their tank.

A leopard gecko will grow to be about seven to 10 inches in length. These creatures will live for 20 or more years, so commitment is required upon purchasing a leopard gecko. However, a leopard gecko makes for a great pet. They are very easy to care for, and have very minimal housing requirements. These lizards can be left alone for several days and do not require a lot of your attention. Not only are these lizards easy to care for, but they are fun to play with as well. A leopard gecko will make a great pet for anyone who is new to owning lizards, or anyone who wants a pet with minimal care requirements.