Great lizards to have as pets

What are some great lizards to have as pets? I do want to try out keeping other species of reptiles other than the snakes & pythons to experience how to take care of other species of reptiles.

Though, I'm pretty picky when it comes to selecting a reptile. I would want a lizard that is normally pretty calm, easy to care for, doesn't require a whole of things (like high humidity levels, needing a really large habitat, etc.), easy to feed, friendly. I was thinking maybe a Bearded dragon, and I have really liked them a lot, but I want to look at some other species before jumping into something that I may turn out not wanting anymore.

So, any lizards you may know of that would most likely fit the depscription of what I'd like to have in a lizard. The lizards I'm kind of getting an interest in are Bearded Dragons and Crested geckos, they seem pretty easy to care for and have a good personality, but I'd like to hear of different species first before deciding between those two. I already own a Giant Leopard gecko, so no Leopard geckos.

I think my 1st choice would be a bearded dragon. They're probabbly the easiest to handle.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jason Bowden

I think my 1st choice would be a bearded dragon. They're probabbly the easiest to handle.

---

Yeah I am looking for an easy going lizard, and the Beardie keeps popping up at me. LOL

I have a leopard gecko, he is a bit skittish but he wasnt handled much before I got him. They require low humidity but a moist hide on the cool side, warmer temps (but not like a beardie) and they can be kept in a 10 gallon but there really isnt enough room for all the junk your going to want to put in it xD And there are lots of morphs to choose from :D I love my normal type boy though :rolleyes:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lupe

I have a leopard gecko, he is a bit skittish but he wasnt handled much before I got him. They require low humidity but a moist hide on the cool side, warmer temps (but not like a beardie) and they can be kept in a 10 gallon but there really isnt enough room for all the junk your going to want to put in it xD And there are lots of morphs to choose from :D I love my normal type boy though :rolleyes:

---

Yeah Leopard geckos are pretty cool, but I already have one and I'm not really looking for another. Like I said, I'm trying to get into different species of reptiles.

xD sorry totally did not see that last part! Beardies are cute, I want to get one. In fact there was one listed near me for free (cage and all!) and it was all I could do to keep from begging my mom to take me to get her xD I think coming home with a leo unannounced was enough for my parents this month :P

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lupe

xD sorry totally did not see that last part! Beardies are cute, I want to get one. In fact there was one listed near me for free (cage and all!) and it was all I could do to keep from begging my mom to take me to get her xD I think coming home with a leo unannounced was enough for my parents this month :P

---

LOL, and next month will be another unannounced lizard, perhaps a Beardie? xD

Really, no other answers? LOL. Come on people, suggest some lizards. xD

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CoolioTiffany

What are some great lizards to have as pets? I do want to try out keeping other species of reptiles other than the snakes & pythons to experience how to take care of other species of reptiles.

Though, I'm pretty picky when it comes to selecting a reptile. I would want a lizard that is normally pretty calm, easy to care for, doesn't require a whole of things (like high humidity levels, needing a really large habitat, etc.), easy to feed, friendly. I was thinking maybe a Bearded dragon, and I have really liked them a lot, but I want to look at some other species before jumping into something that I may turn out not wanting anymore.

So, any lizards you may know of that would most likely fit the depscription of what I'd like to have in a lizard. The lizards I'm kind of getting an interest in are Bearded Dragons and Crested geckos, they seem pretty easy to care for and have a good personality, but I'd like to hear of different species first before deciding between those two. I already own a Giant Leopard gecko, so no Leopard geckos.

---

Cresteds and gargoyles are fairly easy. My daughter has a crested and it's a lot easier to care for than our ackies or my son's beardie.

No UVB, does well at ambient room temps and is very handleable.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Skiploder

Cresteds and gargoyles are fairly easy. My daughter has a crested and it's a lot easier to care for than our ackies or my son's beardie.

No UVB, does well at ambient room temps and is very handleable.

---

+1 on the crested geckos.
I've kept many lizards such as; iguanas, skinks, swifts, chameleons other geckos, etc.
Cresties are by far the easiest in terms of care. No special lights, no special heating, no live insects always having to be on hand. Just give them their crested gecko diet and that's it. I use the 'Repashy Crested Gecko Diet' and make sure they have fresh water and call it good. Also just make sure the temps don't go above 80 or below 65, which is easy for most homes. My home stays around 73-75 pretty much year round.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Skiploder

Cresteds and gargoyles are fairly easy. My daughter has a crested and it's a lot easier to care for than our ackies or my son's beardie.

No UVB, does well at ambient room temps and is very handleable.

---

Wow sounds pretty cool, are both species pretty chill or kind of jumpy like some Leopard geckos can get?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CoolioTiffany

Wow sounds pretty cool, are both species pretty chill or kind of jumpy like some Leopard geckos can get?

---

We got the crestie as a baby and he was held a lot. He's pretty chill.

Again - it's the only one we have.

I love my syniders(sp?) skink. He's quite frendly and easy to care for, bonus is that no one I know has one:)Sand dune geckos though are cute,not good to pick up but are quite active and cute can live in a 10 gal tank no problem.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CoolioTiffany

Wow sounds pretty cool, are both species pretty chill or kind of jumpy like some Leopard geckos can get?

---

I have never met a leopard gecko that I'd describe as "jumpy." In fact, I'd call them calm, easygoing, even lazy. Perhaps you just didn't handle yours when it was young or something?

On the subject of cresteds, they can run the gamut; my brother has one that is super lazy and calm. Mine, OTOH, while very handleable, is much more active and prone to take a flying leap. I think that much like most* reptiles, babies tend to be nervous, but with handling, interaction, and time, they calm down.

*Obviously there are exceptions with regard to reptiles calming down with time; my brother also has a golden gecko, and holy crap is that thing lightning fast, nervous, and an amazing jumper. He has tried to handle it in an effort to calm it down, but it really keeps him on his toes. Definitely not recommended as an "easy" lizard.

You could always go with a blue tongued skink. They are great and really cute little critters, easy to handle and pretty calm as well, although not as babies quite as much.

Also, cresties are, in my experience, pretty jumpy. I have worked with a breeder for a while, helping him clean cages, and I always have to chase after them when they are jumping around in the reptile room.

When I had a crestie she was absolutely insane and kind of cranky. By insane I mean that her favorite thing to do was jump and run as fast as she could. She was not laid back at all. :P She was also very nippy and moody, so I didn't handle her a lot. I'm not saying that this is the standard for cresties, but this is the best way to describe them, IMO (as stated by a friend of mine who breeds them): They are sweet and sour.

Gargoyle Gecko, Easy to care for, No lights, 29 Gallon tank holds it for life. Super easy to feed, Use repashy Creasted Gecko Diet mix it with water instant food. no calcium supplements..ETC. I have hand tamed my garg He is super calm not flighty at all. I started taking him out 2 weeks after I got him ( he was 8 weeks when I got him) He now comes out all the time. His favorite treat is Mango baby food. He licks it off my finger. He also recognizes me. My brother tries to hold him and he doesnt like him that much so he jumps over to my shoulder and will sit there for hours just surveying everythign going on around him!

the thing with bearded dragons, is they require a MUCH larger living space once they're all growed up. i would recommend something at least 18 inches wide, and 3 feet long. they need the width to turn around.

and in my experience with cresties, they are pretty jumpy sometimes. and i'm TERRIFIED of pulling their little tails off :( but then again i've never really met cresties that have been handled a ton. and i assume they're kind of like most lizards, a little skittish when they're young, then calm down once they're older.

and i have a leopard gecko that is quite jumpy; he's 3 years old and i got him as a retired breeder. so i have a feeling he wasn't handled much either, just used for breeding.

just thought i'd throw those few points out there.

Crested geckos are great. Leachianus ( Leachies/Leachie geckos) are ALSO very cool, and the care is not TOO much different. Just read up on how to care for them, and their requirements as juveniles AND adults as they get quite large. :)

get an Argentine black and white tegu :D

I have a 12 or so year old golden gecko. Very easy to care for and doens't require much on the way of heat or humidity. Really, the only thing I do is have a heat lamp on her enclosure and a water dish. I'll msit her down every so often and toss her a few vitamin covered crickets. Easy to take care of.