What would you recommend?

[JLC]

For those of you experienced with lizards...

If someone wanted to start keeping them, what would you recommend as a good starter? I think Beardeds are soooo cool...but don't know how they compare to others.

[The_Godfather]

I've kept a couple, water dragons make awsome pets no doubt. But they're tough... I think you could handle em tho, but they cost a lot to maintain.

Blue tongue skinks might be pricey, but real easy. I'd strongly recommend these.

I enjoy smaller lizards like anoles, cheaper doesn't mean they suck. So don't be afraid of house gex, anoles, and swifts. They are real nice. Swifts are among my most wanted lizards.




You want em big, or small? Easy, hard, medium?

[JLC]

I don't think I'd want anything that gets bigger than a fully grown Bearded...but small is OK too. I think I'd want to start out with a relatively low-maintanance lizard and then maybe get something more challenging later. What I really enjoy though, is something you can touch and hold.

[The_Godfather]

With smaller you get more of them

Got msn, aim, yim messenger by any chance?

[JLC]

Funny you should ask...LOL I just signed up with AIM this morning.

Look for ScrivenerMom

[Smulkin]

LOL I am gonna ceaselessly pimp the Sudanese Plated as an excellent beginner - easy to maintain, low humidity requirements, omnivorous, very handleable, non agressive, mellow, shed plate-at-a-time, cute, parrot-syndrome (they love to perch on a shoulder) and love a good rub under the chin. They are not as pervasive as I might expect given all thier positive traits - I've been looking for a female to pair with our male and have only found a couple places in CA that have them (~$35 +shipping) but am really wary of shipping this time of year and from the far coast to boot. I'll let you know if we ran across any when we hit the Pittsburgh show this weekend.

Apologies to those who have had to wade through these pics in a different thread:

Leopard Geckos are readily available and very easy to keep. Beardies require more upkeep (higher temps, basking lights, UV light, etc) but are easy and very fun to keep as well. Blue Tongue Skinks are good, but can get larger. Crested Geckos are very easy to keep....they don't require supplemental heat in most cases and once juvies/adults can be weaned onto the Crested Gecko powder diet.

[JLC]

I've been thinking about Leos, too, David. They're so cute! And the Cresteds are, too! Ahhh...so many wonderful animals out there. I wonder if I'll ever be able to have all I would like? LOL

I'm thinking Smulkin's plated lizards are pretty intriguing...how big do those get? What size tank do you keep them in and can you keep more than one together, or do they do better living alone?

[The_Godfather]

I've kept leos, they are so boring.

[CTReptileRescue]

Leopard geckos
Anoles
Sudan Plated Lizards
house geckos
blue tongue skinks
fire skinks
schnieders skinks
Well I guess a big variety of skinks
Rusty