Best Pet Lizard ?

Hello.

I'm new the BP.Net. I currently have a ball python (Charlie) that i love. However, I'm looking to purchase an animal that is a little more active. I think Iguanas are really nice animals, however, i know that i am NOWHERE near as experienced that i need to be to own one. Well maybe I am, but i can't provide the proper enclosure for an adult. So i wont buy one. I want one that won't get too large , but I do want something that i will grow to be a nice size. Any Help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Look into Bearded Dragons if you'd like a decently sized lizard that is "nice" as an adult. Just be prepared to spend a lot more money on an enclosure, UVB lights and humidity controllers as well as a lot more time taking care of the lizard than you're used to with your snake.

Do you want to handle it or look at it mainly?

My aunt has one and he has so much personality. My only issue is getting one that isn't so small. The breeder that i got my BP from doesn't sell Beardies and I'm deathly scared of online buying.

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I have to be able to handle it. I'm a hands on kinda woman.

Here are a few choices of medium sized lizards that may fit your needs. Do some research and see what you think.

Bearded Dragon
Blue Tongue Skink
Australian Water Dragon

Everyone I know who's gotten a blue tongue has LOVED them, they're very personable from what I understand and tolerate handling beautifully once they are used to you.

I also want to say -thank you- for understanding how much work iguanas are, I'm still researching almost non-stop about them ever since my boyfriend brought our little "surprise" home. I'm excited, but they're very demanding little guys

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Originally Posted by Valentine Pirate

Everyone I know who's gotten a blue tongue has LOVED them, they're very personable from what I understand and tolerate handling beautifully once they are used to you.

I also want to say -thank you- for understanding how much work iguanas are, I'm still researching almost non-stop about them ever since my boyfriend brought our little "surprise" home. I'm excited, but they're very demanding little guys

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I'm looking into The Beardies and BTS. I'm leaning more towards a BTS I think. And i love iguanas. I really love them, so i know i dont want to get one and not be able to really give it what it needs to survive happily.

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Originally Posted by John1982

Here are a few choices of medium sized lizards that may fit your needs. Do some research and see what you think.

Bearded Dragon
Blue Tongue Skink
Australian Water Dragon

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Australian Water Dragon? That's a new one. I always hear about the Chinese water dragons. I'll look into those as well. Thank you so much!

Autralian water dragons=total coolness.

They are not good handlers though.

I say do some Blue Tongue Skink research, they sound like great lizard pets. Also well known for easy handling!:)

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They also get about a foot long, pretty heavy bodied.

Bearded Dragon as stated above. Also, I suggest a Uromastyx. They aren't 'pretty' per se but I think they are cool looking, some of the coloring can be neat, and they have good personalities for handling. :)

We've had a blue tongued skink for about 3 months now. Purchased as a hatchling, it has been a great experience keeping "reggie". Good eater, active, not to large (but a fast grower for sure). Has never tried to bite but will empty its cloacal contents on you if it feels insecure while being handled. I'd definitely give them a thumbs up.

BTS is the BEST choice for a larger lizard that loves handling. Heck, some of them Beg for it, like my fella. :) He actually paws the door when he wants attention. He also watches my partner play video games. :D

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x...inkingrass.jpg

I like to call these guys the puppies of the lizard world. :) Just make sure they have a Minimum of 4x2 floor space and you're good to go. They're total omnivores too, so you don't have to deal with bugs. Topaz eats Iams cat food (it's all he ever got as a youngster (rescued) so I've had trouble weaning him off it completely), chicken, lean ground beef, Repashy (replaced the baby food he also used to get), dried fruits and veggies, and he finally has started eating fresh veggies. His favorite foods are raspberries and blueberries. :)

Beardies are another good choice, but they can stink and eat mostly bugs...alot of bugs. :)

Oh, and just an FYI dav4 - BTS are born live, not hatched. ;)

madagascan day gecko, very active, or a bearded dragon.

Blue tongue skinks get about 2 feet. Any smaller than 16 inches and their is something wrong with your skink.

Beardies and chinese water dragon are very nice.

The beardie was active when little, but is very mellow and doesn't do very much.

The CWD will need a very large enclosure, but they're so pretty and from what I've heard (mine is still little), they have a better temperament than iguanas.

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Originally Posted by xxmonitorlizardxx

Blue tongue skinks get about 2 feet. Any smaller than 16 inches and their is something wrong with your skink.

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Quite a few bluey species can stay below 16 inches but you'll need a heavy purse to afford something like multifasciata. Then you have adelaidensis that aren't even legal to keep in Australia so fat chance ever seeing one of those available.

I'm in a similar situation as the creator of this thread. I have a BP and am looking into getting either a lizard or Gecko (Crested or Giant Day). I am leaning toward a BTS, but I read an article in Reptiles magazine a couple months ago about the PInk Tounged Skink. The author describes the PTS as having the same temperament and character traits as the BTS. They state that the only differences lie in the PTS's lighter/more slender body and that they are more active. Does anyone have any experience with PTS's to confirm or deny this?

http://ih2.redbubble.net/work.638211...ngue-study.jpg
http://ih2.redbubble.net/image.49378...x550,075,f.jpg