toying with the idea of Leos

[Cheesenugget]

I have 1 of each: a blue tongue skink, a bearded dragon and a Leo. Here is my take on each and if you still want a leo, the above posts are good info.

BTS: the tank size for an adult should be at minimum 4 foot by 2 foot. Height matters more for adjusting the basking light and getting the right temps and BTS are terrible climbers (Some don't even bother).
They bask but I see that AP is working on special PVC cages for basking lizards, so that may be a good option over a T10. Depending on species, the humidity requirement varies. For northerns, low humidity with a humid hide works. For Indonesians and its tropical cousins, a humidity of 50-60% at minimum is needed so add a humid hide or use eco earth/cypress mulch. Some likes to dig, others don't care for it. Mine never digged into his substrate. He prefers his hide made of bricks or just lay flat out in the open while he sleeps.

Diet: easy and flexible. There is an ongoing debate on that but I'm in the camp of feeding mine wet dog food (grain free) mixed with his salad, supplements, snails and insect feeders. BTS are easy to feed and as adults will only need to be fed 1 meal a week. The portion should not be bigger than their head. As adults, they need calcium +d3 supplements 2x a week and multivitamin once a week.

Not all BTS brumate! Mine is almost 2 or 3 years old. Perhaps it never gets cold enough for him to do so. He does slow down in the winter by sleeping more but his appetite is always there. He knows to wake up for dinner when I call his name and gently knock on his basking tile. If they do brumate, it is no big deal. Make sure they have water, they have a place to sleep and leave a small amount of food every other week to see if it is interested. They do wake up now and then to drink or take a bite.

And no egg binding. The females give birth.

So far my favorite to keep. They do observe you and respond to their surroundings. Hardy, easy to handle, and have their own likes and dislikes and they will gladly tell you which. Morphs (?) are still in the works and pricey. Many easterns are still wild caught so make sure to ask before you buy.

Beardies: At minimum, a 75 gallon or 4 foot by 16 or 24" tank. Docile, friendly, their diet is more strict and getting the right lights from the start is a must. With a BTS who can go without UVB, you cannot go wrong with yours when it comes to beardies. Their number one complaint is picky eating of their salad. And they need salad in their diet almost every day. I think they are great for people who like to do the extra work.

Leos: they are awesome. Small size, easy to care for, hardy as a freaking rock, easy everything... Wow, people are right that they are the #1 best beginner pet lizard. I started mine with a young adult. The taming was easy though took some time. I feed mine mostly mealworms which makes it even better because I order 500 at a time, put them in the fridge, and gutload them 48 hours before feeding. I also give him variety like butterworms and black soldier fly larvae. One thing most people overlook and probably main reason of them commonly found in ads looking for homes is their longevity. They live the LONGEST compared to a beardie and BTS. There is a male Leo still breeding at age 27 years! It is a long, long term commitment not to be taken lightly.

Btw, if you want a giant, Tremper is the breeder who found the giant line and is still breeding and selling today. I had seen his Leos and they are gorgeous. However, they really are no different than a regular Leo that grew a few inches bigger. And they come with a hefty price tag for that size. Due to the high number of Leo's needing homes, and I wish my husband did this instead of gifting me mine, please see if you can adopt one. Most come with their tanks and set up.