Vote for BP.Net for the 2013 Forum of the Year! Click here for more info.

» Site Navigation

» Home
 > FAQ

» Online Users: 750

2 members and 748 guests
Most users ever online was 47,180, 07-16-2025 at 05:30 PM.

» Today's Birthdays

None

» Stats

Members: 75,908
Threads: 249,107
Posts: 2,572,126
Top Poster: JLC (31,651)
Welcome to our newest member, KoreyBuchanan
  • 05-09-2017, 04:37 AM
    RoflOnMyWaffle
    I want an up to 3 foot lizard... what are my options?
    Hi guys, I'm back. After finding out my Nox is actually a girl, the urge to get her a mate has worn off until she grows - a LOT!

    So I was thinking of maybe getting a lizard instead :)

    I really liked iguanas, they seemed like scaley dogs/puppies to me, and then I did proper research. They are definitely off the list, firstly cause of care costs, and secondly because I lack the experience for them to thrive which I think if I did get one would be cruel.

    My girlfriend really likes Bearded dragons, and so do I, but I wanted something more... special? So we came across a blue tongue skink which I quite like - Both of these are quite strong contenders so far, unless you guys can point me in another direction?

    Just random googles showed some Tegus - But they seem to get a little bit too big for what I can provide, and require more experience than I have so far.

    My requirements are as follows:

    Relatively easy to care for? I have no lizard experience, but Nox is doing well - Always 1 solid shed, no bowel problems etc feeds well
    Must reach close to/over 2 foot but still happy in a 4 foot viv
    Enjoy being handling/sit on my lap while I watch tv sort of thing
    Look awesome/cute :D
    Preferred if they ate meat and not bugs but thats just being fussy and not a deal breaker :D


    What do you think my options are? I've found various cool little lizards etc, but they're just too small or shy for what I'm after - Not to say they aren't lovely animals, I just don't want to stress the little guy/girl!

    Thanks for reading my somewhat disjointed post hahaha I look forward to your ideas :) PICS WOULD GET YOU BROWNIE POINTS :D
  • 05-09-2017, 07:45 AM
    Craiga 01453
    Re: I want an up to 3 foot lizard... what are my options?
    Probably smaller than what you're looking for, but this is my African Fire Skunk. They top out at about 15" and his diet is primarily crickets, so that's probably two strikes against what you're looking for. He's become pretty sociable in the few months I've had him. Very easy upkeep, hardy species, pretty easy to handle off the bat (quick at first, but calm right down as they acclimate).
    So, probably not what you're looking for, but still great. I love the little guy. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...0c8f373e39.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...9481a61048.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...bee6e2ec68.jpg

    Sent from my SM-J700T1 using Tapatalk
  • 05-09-2017, 07:59 AM
    Craiga 01453
    darn auto correct changed SKINK to SKUNK. That is CLEARLY not a SKUNK.
    Sorry bout that.
  • 05-09-2017, 08:09 AM
    RoflOnMyWaffle
    Well his diet is okay, not really a strike :)

    He is cute but as you say, a bit small - Prefer the bigger skinks. He is lovely though!!!

    I like that he is both super quick and then lazy - I like both qualities so thats fine.
  • 05-09-2017, 08:27 AM
    Craiga 01453
    I had a blue tongue or a B&W Tegu on my "wish list" for a while, and then met this guy and did some research on the species. Got my set-up ready and a few days later ended up bringing him home. His size was a selling point for my girlfriend and a compromise I was more than happy to make. She still thinks his face is "scary", but she's warmed up a bit since he's been more sociable. (I think she was happy with the price too, he was a lot less expensive than a BTS or a Tegu).

    Well, good luck!! I'm sure you'll find the right lizard for you. Please keep us posted!
  • 05-09-2017, 08:55 AM
    dboeren
    Ackie monitors are about the size of a bearded dragon (so maybe not quite as big as you want) and pretty cool. They will eat pinkies as well as superworms, etc...
  • 05-09-2017, 09:14 AM
    ladywhipple02
    Re: I want an up to 3 foot lizard... what are my options?
    I'm just going to throw out there that Beardies are pretty special :) I know they're popular on the market, but there's a reason for that: they're so friendly, have awesomely HUGE personalities (that are different for each one) and so much fun to keep. They're care and set up is fairly easy, whereas a lot of the other bigger lizards will have specializations and need more space.

    There are a bunch of rarer morphs out there if you're just wanting different. I had one for a few years and ended up giving her to a friend for his kids. They LOVE her to pieces. She's so chill - she and my cat would bask together in the sunlight, she loves sleeping in laps, and bathtimes are fun too.

    Just don't rule them out!
  • 05-09-2017, 09:26 AM
    GoingPostal
    No idea if they fit your bill or not but if I ever got another lizard it would probably be a legless or a uro, dream list would be a tree monitor. I have an iguana now and think it will take me a long time to consider another and probably going smaller next round.
  • 05-09-2017, 10:21 AM
    Reptimom
    Re: I want an up to 3 foot lizard... what are my options?
    Bearded Dragons are the best!! Not very large though, but they get a decent size. Their personalities are the GREAT, I have two that are polar opposites of each other, one is very laid back and lazy and likes to snuggle, while the other is (usually) bouncing off the walls and territorial, but will settle down for snuggles occasionally. Tank size fits what you are looking for, mine are in 40galB's. Though you do feed bugs no meat, but its not too bad (I use dubia roaches, clean, quiet and not jumpy, I hate crickets...). And once they get older they switch over to mostly greens instead of bugs daily. And care wise once you get them set up properly its not bad, they do take a bit of attention though (mine at least), one of my girls gets very upset if I don't pay attention to her or she cant run around outside her cage for a few days and makes sure I know :rolleyes:
    Those are the only lizards I have experience with. Good luck choosing! ;D
  • 05-09-2017, 10:51 AM
    RoflOnMyWaffle
    I'll add this in, I'm not bothered by crickets/bugs etc, just its easier to feed them all mice - again I can adapt, its nothing major at all :)
    I've now found the Egyptian Uro as its the biggest hahaha and Ackie's seem quite cool too :)

    So now I've got 3 to look for at shows/shops :D

    I was debating just getting a bigger Viv... but the get so expensive!

    Does it change much if I decide to get a 6 foot viv? I just figured Nox would only ever get a 4 foot at most, which leaves a 2 footer as well... so if I get a 6 foot for the lizard I can stack the two :D
  • 05-09-2017, 11:00 AM
    jclaiborne
    Any monitor species (even the smaller ones, like an ackie) require a more specialized husbandry setup then what you described you are ready for. Blue tongue skinks are fun, and once you have them dialed in they are easy to care for. Any of the Indo species require a slightly different setup (higher humidity) then the Australian Species. Someone else already mentioned a Uromastyx. They require pretty high basking temperatures, but not super difficult. Other lizards I could think of would be Agamas and Chuckwallas. You mentioned that they had to be ok in a 4ft cage. Do you already have the cage or is that just your size requirement? If you already have it what type of cage is it and what are the actual dimensions. Lizards are more active than most snakes, and will make use of the entire cage, so width and height of the cage is just as important.
  • 05-09-2017, 11:26 AM
    rock
    How about a Giant Green Ameiva? I have a few wild in my yard. They are beautiful!
  • 05-09-2017, 11:58 AM
    Finn0208
    Re: I want an up to 3 foot lizard... what are my options?
    https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...de3293b95d.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...973ad34b80.jpg

    This is my female bearded dragon, she is a beast, always has been, but she is a good girl, she is three years old now and she gets greens and a few mealworms daily and I breed dubia roaches for her too [emoji4]


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
  • 05-09-2017, 04:58 PM
    RoflOnMyWaffle
    Thank you all so much for the help :)

    After looking at various other friends - Ackies, Egyption Uros, and the green ameiva - I have decided that it's come down back to the Beardy and the BTS
    Its just something about them that me and the other half are really into :)

    I saw theres a show called the IHS show in doncaster - is there a way to see who is going? I'd wanna go but its a long drive for me and I don't know if they have anything other than snakes.
  • 05-09-2017, 05:52 PM
    jclaiborne
    Re: I want an up to 3 foot lizard... what are my options?
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by RoflOnMyWaffle View Post
    Thank you all so much for the help :)

    After looking at various other friends - Ackies, Egyption Uros, and the green ameiva - I have decided that it's come down back to the Beardy and the BTS
    Its just something about them that me and the other half are really into :)

    I saw theres a show called the IHS show in doncaster - is there a way to see who is going? I'd wanna go but its a long drive for me and I don't know if they have anything other than snakes.

    The nice thing about a Blue Tongue is that you do not have to feed them insects. I make a mixture of meat, greens, veggies, and fruit in bulk and freeze it. I don't know about the availability of reptiles where you are at, however out here depending on the species of Blue Tongue Skink you are interested in you may have to be patient. There are many different BTS species. The Australian species are all captive bred and they can't be exported from Australia, so generally unless you get lucky and stumble upon one you end up on a wait list for babies. Any of the Indo species are still exported so they are more readily available. However there are times that you MAY be dealing with a WC skink. My female was pretty wild/bitey when we first got her, but after a few month of her getting acclimated she calmed down and is very easy going. My male was easy going from the day we got him.

    Australian Species (many of which aren't available outside of Australia):
    -Eastern
    -Northern
    -Tanimbar Island
    -Centralian
    -Western
    -Blotched
    -Shingleback

    Indo Species:
    -Indonesian
    -Halmahera
    -Merauke
    -Kei Island
    -Irian Jaya
  • 05-09-2017, 06:12 PM
    RoflOnMyWaffle
    I'm based near Bournemouth so the supply isn't too bad, just have to look around in the right places :)
    Thank you for your responses guys, theyve been super helpful

    I'm definitely looking for a Merauke, but from what I can find they are hard to identify over other species.

    I mean either the Merauke cause they are rumoured to be the biggest, or a white one - But I think they are waaay expensive???
  • 05-09-2017, 06:19 PM
    jclaiborne
    Re: I want an up to 3 foot lizard... what are my options?
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by RoflOnMyWaffle View Post
    I'm based near Bournemouth so the supply isn't too bad, just have to look around in the right places :)
    Thank you for your responses guys, theyve been super helpful

    I'm definitely looking for a Merauke, but from what I can find they are hard to identify over other species.

    I mean either the Merauke cause they are rumoured to be the biggest, or a white one - But I think they are waaay expensive???


    A northern from Australia will be the largest in length and girth combined. Meraukes are long but not as thick. You will be hard pressed getting near the 3ft mark, but to be honest with only a 4ft enclosure you won't be housing a 3ft lizard anyways. A 4ft long by 2ft wide enclosure is a good size footprint for a 2ft blue tongue skink.
  • 05-10-2017, 04:36 AM
    RoflOnMyWaffle
    Surely I can't get an Aussy one here in the UK? I can go bigger than 4 x 2 x 2, just thats the most I could fit in the car hahaha

    The absolute max I can go is 5 foot wide x 2 foot deep - Height isn't an issue but seeing as they don't climb much I figured 2 foot high is enough - Don't have any more space in the room unfortunately

    Which ones are the "white" ones? I will post a pic so we are looking for the same thing

    https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...FNorthern1.jpg

    https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...allpaper-7.jpg


    Now I get the feeling they are rare and expensive hahaha but I just like the look of them, so if you can point me in the direction of those, or similar I'd be grateful :)
  • 05-10-2017, 05:43 AM
    Darkbird
    Deleted. Hadn't read entire thread, sorry.
  • 05-10-2017, 07:26 AM
    LightningPython
    Re: I want an up to 3 foot lizard... what are my options?
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by RoflOnMyWaffle View Post
    Thank you all so much for the help :)

    After looking at various other friends - Ackies, Egyption Uros, and the green ameiva - I have decided that it's come down back to the Beardy and the BTS
    Its just something about them that me and the other half are really into :)

    I saw theres a show called the IHS show in doncaster - is there a way to see who is going? I'd wanna go but its a long drive for me and I don't know if they have anything other than snakes.

    https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=428328834017979
    This is the page where people post the stock they are taking to Donny

    Ask if anyone has what you want and maybe you could arrange something for it
    The next show is (I think) 25 June at the Racecourse
  • 05-10-2017, 07:38 AM
    RoflOnMyWaffle
    Thats exactly what I was looking for. perfect. Thanks :)

    Any idea how big the show is? It's a 5 hour drive for me and I don't want to go if it can all be done in an hour or two hahaha
  • 05-10-2017, 07:58 AM
    LightningPython
    It's quite big, i went to the three last year, and June was defiantly the biggest. It's hard leaving without buying something!!
    There are loads of suppliers there also, such as swell reptiles, Kiezrbink was there last year (dunno bout this year) selling frozen food for quite cheap, there was also Microclimate and a few people selling vivs and taking orders for custom vivs and stuff. Bioactive Herps will be there also
    I've seen burms, retics, beardies, royals, GTPs, corns, hoggie, cresties, sand boas, gargoyle geckos, leachies, tortoises, leopard geckos, and a few monitors before ,to name a few.
    There is also a trade room where you can get your animals if you want someone to deliver to donny so you don't need to trade outside or whatever

    You should definitely go! It's awesome.
  • 05-10-2017, 08:12 AM
    RoflOnMyWaffle
    I was worried about that.... I have a hard time not buying stuff as it is.... if there's so much there I might just end up taking home one of everything pahahaha

    Thanks for the help, I have joined the Facebook group to see if anyone is bringing stuff I'm looking for :)
  • 05-10-2017, 11:02 AM
    jclaiborne
    Re: I want an up to 3 foot lizard... what are my options?
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by RoflOnMyWaffle View Post
    Surely I can't get an Aussy one here in the UK? I can go bigger than 4 x 2 x 2, just thats the most I could fit in the car hahaha

    The absolute max I can go is 5 foot wide x 2 foot deep - Height isn't an issue but seeing as they don't climb much I figured 2 foot high is enough - Don't have any more space in the room unfortunately

    Which ones are the "white" ones? I will post a pic so we are looking for the same thing

    https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...FNorthern1.jpg

    https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...allpaper-7.jpg


    Now I get the feeling they are rare and expensive hahaha but I just like the look of them, so if you can point me in the direction of those, or similar I'd be grateful :)

    Not sure if the ones pictures are available outside of Australia. Haven't seen them in the US, but that doesn't mean they aren't around. Northern's are the most prominent Aussie species available in the US. I don't know about availability in the UK. I know there were some breeders in Canada. A good resource for you would be bluetongueskinks.net There is quite a bit of info on there. I haven't logged in there for about a year, but I know that is where they list quite a few breeders around the world. As well as husbandry information and overall help.
Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v4.2.1