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Anole: (All Anole species.) More >> |
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Argentine Tegu: These powerful, terrestrial predators shelter in burrows after being active by day. The black and white tegu, or Argentine tegu, emerges with the warming sun and actively prowls its territory in search of any small animals that it’s capable of catching and devouring. More >> |
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Argus Monitor: This diurnal lizard will be conspicuous to anyone spending time in its range. The Argus monitor is often seen basking near roadways or rapidly running across them, they have the habit of pausing frequently with their heads up to scan for food or potential danger. More >> |
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Asian Water Monitor: Because of their size, water monitors require spacious, well-constructed enclosures. As their name implies, water monitors are semi-aquatic. Captive water monitors should be provided with a container of water large enough to permit soaking along with sturdy branches for climbing and basking. More >> |
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Australian Water Dragon: The Australian water dragon can be accurately described as a true omnivore – they’ll eagerly dine on a broad assortment of small animals, but also eat many kinds of fruits and leafy greens. More >> |
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Basilisk: (All Basilisk species.) More >> |
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Beaded Lizard: The beaded lizard is one of two dangerously venomous lizard species in the world, so extreme caution must apply whenever dealing with them in captivity. The beaded lizard is an animal to admire from a safe distance, not one to handle casually. More >> |
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Bearded Dragon: Young hatchlings can be housed in an aquarium fitted with a screen cover and a 30- to 50-watt spotlight over a basking area at one end of the cage. Arrange rocks and branches to provide several basking levels. More >> |
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Bibron's Gecko: This hardy wall crawler is simple to keep if a few basic criteria are supplied in its enclosure. Being nocturnal, Bibron’s geckos spend the majority of each day secreted out of sight in a favorite hiding place. These can be crevices between layers of rock, or between slabs of bark. More >> |
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Black and White Tegu: These powerful, terrestrial predators shelter in burrows after being active by day. The black and white tegu, or Argentine tegu, emerges with the warming sun and actively prowls its territory in search of any small animals that it’s capable of catching and devouring. More >> |
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Black Rough-Necked Monitor: Black rough-necked monitors are extremely arboreal and will benefit from a tall cage and numerous branches mounted both horizontally and vertically. Hide boxes and retreats are also needed. More >> |
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Blue-Tongued Skink: For a member of the skink family, blue-tongued skinks are among the best suited for lives in captivity for several reasons. Being relatively slow-moving, they’re not as difficult to handle compared to most of the slender skink species. More >> |
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Brown Anole: The brown anole is mainly terrestrial, but it frequently climbs trees and vegetation. The brown anole’s cage should feature at least one higher promontory point from which the brown anole can survey the cage floor and also bask close to a heat lamp. More >> |
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Brown Basilisk (Striped or Common): A swift, agile runner, the brown basilisk relies on lightning fast bursts of speed to attack and surprise its prey. Small lizards and invertebrates make up the bulk of its diet. Most food items are seized in jaws and swallowed whole after being subdued by several bites. More >> |
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Caiman Lizard: This is not a lizard for beginners! This rare and specialized denizen of forested riverbanks is imported in low numbers and is still a rarity in the pet trade. The caiman lizards’ large size and potentially painful bite are two more reasons that few tackle its husbandry. More >> |
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Cape Monitor: Cape monitors are large are noted for their aggressive temperaments.
As captive pets, Cape monitors can be fed wax worms, king mealworms, mice and rats (pinkies or fuzzies). More >> |
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Central American Banded Gecko: This medium-sized gecko is like the new world’s answer to Asia’s leopard gecko. Although adult Central American banded geckos do not approach the girth and length of leopard geckos, their habits are similar in many other ways. More >> |
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Chameleon: (All Chameleon species.) More >> |
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Chinese Water Dragon: Chinese water dragon babies that are only 4 or 5 inches long may be kept in a 10-gallon aquarium, but they will eventually need to be moved to a larger terrarium. Sand is a recommended substrate material, as both male and female Chinese water dragons will dig burrows. More >> |
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Chuckwalla: Chuckwallas are pure vegetarians, specializing in an exclusive diet of desert-adapted fruits, flowers, and succulent new plant growth. In captivity chuckwallas will gladly accept an assortment of veggies and greens that other herbivorous iguanids also thrive on. More >> |
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Collared Lizard: If collared lizards grew to the size of Komodo dragons, they would probably prey upon them. Crotaphytus are voracious predators on other lizard species, although they don’t pass up the chance to snack on insects and other small vertebrates. More >> |
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Common Tegu: These hardy beasts are very indiscriminate in their choice of foods that lean heavily towards small animals they can overpower. Common tegus are ruthless predators that chase down their prey, grasp it in dagger-like teeth and formidable jaws. More >> |
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Crested Gecko: The meteoric rise of this gecko from relative obscurity only a decade ago is testament to its suitability as a pet. Possessing a gentle and curious nature, R. ciliatus rivals leopard geckos even in the development of pattern and color morphs. More >> |
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Crocodile Monitor: Few people have had experience with these lizards in private collections, or even in zoos. It’s recommended that a very spacious cage be used to accommodate these monitors - currently the longest known lizard species in the world. More >> |
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Cuban Rock Iguana: The Cuban rock iguana is one of the world's most impressive iguanas. It is also one of the largest, with adult males sometimes reaching lengths of 4 or 5 feet and weights of nearly 7 kilograms. As its name implies, the Cuban rock iguana is found on the island of Cuba. More >> |
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Desert Iguana: These iguanids subsist on an assortment of flowers and new leaves of hardy plants in their dry, desert domains. Desert iguanas are strict vegetarians that are particularly attracted to colorful flowers and newly emergent leaves. More >> |
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Dumeril's Monitor: In the wild, Dumeril's monitors commonly feed on insects, snails, crabs, frogs and fish. In captivity, Dumeril’s monitors will accept these items as well as various shellfish and rodents. More >> |
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Eastern Fence Lizard: Eastern fence lizards earned their common name by being conspicuous daytime baskers on the tops of fence posts and other promontories. More >> |
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Egyptian Uromastyx: The Egyptian Uromastyx is one of the most commonly available spiny-tailed lizards. Caging decisions may be left to the owner's discretion, as Egyptian Uromastyx can be set up in aquariums, metal livestock watering tanks or plastic tubs. More >> |
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Fat-Tailed Gecko: Cages for fat-tailed geckos can be as simple as 20-gallon aquariums; other enclosures sold in pet stores work just fine. (Lids are always a good idea.) Fat-tailed geckos require humidity, some keepers use orchid bark as substrate or a mixture of potting soil and peat moss. More >> |
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Fire Skink: Like most skinks, fire skinks prefer to keep low profiles by hiding under logs and leaves most of the time. Give fire skinks at least 4 inches of soil and tree bark to burrow into. Fire skinks will spend the vast majority of time hidden, except when hungry. More >> |
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Flying Gecko: A small, taller-than-wide tank will suffice for this denizen of wet forests of southeastern Asia. Despite their name, flying geckos don’t need enough space to glide about in captivity. In fact, just the opposite is true. More >> |
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Frilled Lizard: One of the most recognizable herps of all, this lizard gets its name by the broad, fleshy frill of skin it expands when threatened at close range. This habit is seldom employed in captivity except when a snake is shown to induce this form of stress.
Frilled lizards need a lot of room. More >> |
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Galapagos Land Iguana: No one keeps Galapagos land iguanas in captivity outside their Ecuadorian homeland, though a couple colonies exist in their home islands at research stations. In the wild, Galapagos land iguanas are vegetarians that feed heavily upon cactus pads and fruits. More >> |
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Gargoyle Gecko: The gargoyle gecko, gets its name due to the large nodules protruding from the skull, a characteristic found in no other species member. The body is robust, and the tail has some prehensile ability. Many wild-caught gargoyle geckos have regenerated tails. More >> |
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Gecko: (All Gecko species.) More >> |
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Gila Monster: Although this is a dangerously venomous lizard, hobbyists have embraced its colorful form into herpetoculture. Care must always be maintained because it’s easy to be lulled into thinking they’re ‘tame’ and can be handled freely without fear of a bite. More >> |
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Gold Tegu: These hardy beasts are very indiscriminate in their choice of foods that lean heavily towards small animals they can overpower. Common tegus are ruthless predators that chase down their prey, grasp it in dagger-like teeth and formidable jaws. More >> |
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Gold-Dust Day Gecko: This is an excellent choice for a pet day gecko! This attractive species is diurnally active in a well-planted terrarium and can provide years of pleasure watching it roam and feed. This is not a pet for handling, but rather for watching as one would an aquarium fish. More >> |
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Grand Cayman Blue Iguana: This large, heavy-bodied lizard is not for everyone. The Grand Cayman blue iguana grows large and requires more room to give it a proper domain in captivity. More >> |
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Green Anole: This is the common “American chameleon” that’s not related to true chameleons at all. It can change color, but not with nearly the speed and range of the true chameleons from the Old World. In biology, green anoles are much more like miniature green iguanas except that they prey primarily on insects. More >> |
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Green Basilisk: The green basilisk or plumed basilisk is among the showiest herps on Earth. No wonder it’s a favorite as a captive! These brilliant green beauties make interesting captives, but require more effort to please in a cage than many other lizards. More >> |
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Green Iguana: The green iguana has reached legendary status as the most popular reptile pet. A 55-gallon terrarium is the best choice when selecting a first cage for your green iguana. Once the green iguana outgrows the terrarium, it will be necessary to replace it--usually with a custom enclosure. More >> |
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Green Water Dragon: Chinese water dragon babies that are only 4 or 5 inches long may be kept in a 10-gallon aquarium, but they will eventually need to be moved to a larger terrarium. Sand is a recommended substrate material, as both male and female Chinese water dragons will dig burrows. More >> |
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Iguana: (All Iguana species.) More >> |
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Jackson’s Chameleon: Jackson’s chameleons are equipped with opposable toes, prehensile tails, independently rotating eyes and specialized tongues for snaring insects. Male Jackson’s chameleons have three rostral projections (“horns”) that they use for combat with other males. More >> |
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Jeweled Lacerta: Jeweled lacertas are active, diurnal lizards that hunt insect prey on the ground. Many people only get brief glimpses of jeweled lacertas as they scamper off quickly when a human comes into view. In captivity, most jeweled lacertas lose that fear as they learn to associate their keepers with food. More >> |
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Knight Anole: Temperament-wise, the knight anole is not the happiest camper in captivity. Most knight anoles are caught in Florida and don’t adapt well to captive conditions readily. More >> |
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Komodo Monitor: This huge lizard is totally impractical to be kept in captivity except by zoos and other institutions that can provide solidly-built, escape-proof pens with a minimum of 1,000 square feet devoted to each specimen. More >> |
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Leopard Gecko: Leopard geckos are increasing in popularity and are probably the most widely kept reptile pet next to the green iguana. More >> |
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Lined Day Gecko: A 15-gallon aquarium can be home for a pair of these petite lizards, especially if it’s well-planted in live foliage that increases the surface area available for the lined day geckos to explore. More >> |
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Madagascar Giant Day Gecko: The Madagascar giant day gecko is a hardy lizard that makes an excellent choice for novice hobbyists. Aquariums make great homes for Madagascar giant day geckos. A terrarium with more height than width is recommended. More >> |
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Mali Uromastyx: With imports pouring in, this chunky lizard is now the best-known of the ‘dabb’ lizards of the Mideast. In reality, its availability as a popular pet belies the difficulty of acclimating these animals to captivity. More >> |
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Mangrove Monitor: The mangrove monitor is semi-aquatic and arboreal by nature, spending much of their time in or near water. Captive mangrove monitors need a warm, humid, spacious cage with branches for climbing and basking and a large water container for swimming and soaking. More >> |
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Marine Iguana: No one has ever successfully kept these ultra-specialized lizards outside their native turf. They are dependent on living in a unique maritime habitat and eating algae in the ocean that can’t be duplicated in a captive situation. More >> |
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Mexican Beaded Lizard: The beaded lizard is one of two dangerously venomous lizard species in the world, so extreme caution must apply whenever dealing with them in captivity. The beaded lizard is an animal to admire from a safe distance, not one to handle casually. More >> |
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Moloch: Molochs, also called ‘thorny devils’ due to the thick ‘thorns’ adorning their bodies, are exceptionally adapted to living in nearly inhospitable, dry places that would cause many herps to shrivel up in desiccation. More >> |
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Monitor: (All Monitor species.) More >> |
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Monkey-tailed Skink: The Solomon Island prehensile-tailed skink is highly arboreal, and will require cages that are large, tall and amply supplied with branches for climbing. Enclosures can be constructed from Plexiglas, plate glass, wood frame or welded wire. More >> |
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Mountain Horned Dragon: This is a lizard from deep rain forests where living in high humidity is an absolute must. This is tricky to simulate in captivity without creating a dank, moldy environment, so extra care must be made to mist daily while also providing ventilation to evaporate the moisture constantly. More >> |
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New Caledonian Giant Gecko: The New Caledonian giant gecko is the largest living gecko in the world right now as far as overall bulk, which is part of its appeal as a pet. Its fleshy folds of skin make it ‘comfortable’ to handle, although not all specimens tolerate human handling. More >> |
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Nile Monitor: The adult Nile monitor has a reputation for being aggressive and ill-tempered. Captive Nile monitors need large, spacious cages with water containers large enough to allow swimming and soaking. More >> |
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Northern Alligator Lizard: This medium-sized lizard prowls mostly by day in wooded areas in hilly and mountainous areas where it’s not too wet. The northern alligator lizard is mostly terrestrial, but also is a capable climber in low brush and trees. More >> |
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Ornate Uromastyx: This handsome species needs to be kept very dry to avoid skin problems and toe infections. A layer of sandy gravel makes a good bottom material in the cage. One prominent basking rock should be positioned at one end so the lizard can mount it and get close to a strong heat lamp above that spot. More >> |
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Panther Chameleon: Panther chameleons are arboreal lizards, which are known to be colorful, especially the males. Colors can range from blue and green to red and orange. Panther chameleons change colors depending on temperature and levels of stress and excitement. More >> |
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Plumed Basilisk: The green basilisk or plumed basilisk is among the showiest herps on Earth. No wonder it’s a favorite as a captive! These brilliant green beauties make interesting captives, but require more effort to please in a cage than many other lizards. More >> |
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Prehensile-tailed Skink: The Solomon Island prehensile-tailed skink is highly arboreal, and will require cages that are large, tall and amply supplied with branches for climbing. Enclosures can be constructed from Plexiglas, plate glass, wood frame or welded wire. More >> |
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Red Tegu: Large predatory lizards like the red tegu need a large cage, minimally 4 feet long and 2 feet wide. An outdoor pen is even better, but great care must be given to burying the walls at least a couple feet deep to prevent them from digging out. More >> |
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Rhinoceros Iguana: The rhinoceros iguana is one of the world's most magnificent iguanas. As its name implies, it is found on the island of Hispaniola. This species (as well as all other members of the genus Cyclura) are vulnerable due to their remote island habitats. More >> |
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Rough Knob-Tailed Gecko: Its rough skin texture and cute little tail have made it a favorite by looks alone, but the rough knob-tailed gecko is for the advanced gecko keeper. Rough knob-tailed geckos do not appreciate being handled. More >> |
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Satanic Leaf-tailed Gecko: Despite being from tropical forests that receive plenty of rainfall, these petite little devils don’t like to be kept too warm. Temperatures in the 70s to low 80s Fahrenheit work best for them; when it edges toward the upper 80s, it’s definitely getting too hot and is actually dangerous for them. More >> |
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Savannah Monitor: The savannah monitor is the most commonly available monitor species. Savannah monitors are known for their placid dispositions and overall tameness. As captive pets, savannah monitors can be fed wax worms, king mealworms, mice and rats (pinkies or fuzzies). More >> |
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Shingleback Skink: The shingleback skink is a relatively hardy captive if attention is paid to a few details of its natural history. Keeping its environment dry is the main one – they experience skin and toe degeneration problems if moisture and bacteria build up in the substrate of the enclosure. More >> |
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Skink: (All Skink species.) More >> |
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Smooth Knob-Tailed Gecko: A secretive species, this nervous lizard is best set up in a terrarium decorated to resemble its desert domain so it can be watched and enjoyed like a tropical fish. More >> |
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Solomon Island Prehensile-tailed Skink: The Solomon Island prehensile-tailed skink is highly arboreal, and will require cages that are large, tall and amply supplied with branches for climbing. Enclosures can be constructed from Plexiglas, plate glass, wood frame or welded wire. More >> |
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Southern Alligator Lizard: Very similar to the northern alligator lizard to all aspects of its husbandry. The southern alligator lizard are active hunters that eat all kinds of insects, snails, and even baby mice in captivity. More >> |
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Spearpoint Leaf-tailed Gecko: The spearpoint leaf-tailed gecko is essentially the northern version of the satanic leaf-tailed gecko, and its care is identical. In some portions of the range, it occurs in dryer areas than the satanic leaf-tailed gecko, but it still has high humidity requirements compared to many geckos. More >> |
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Spiny-tailed (Black) Iguana: Spiny-tailed iguanas look impressive with bold bands and spiny bases of their tails, so many are tempted to assume they’re just like green iguanas in temperament and behavior. Baby spiny-tailed iguanas are also bright green like green iguanas, but that color fades quickly as they grow. More >> |
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Standing's Day Gecko: Standing's day gecko is an impressive gecko. Aquariums make great homes for Standing's day geckos. A terrarium with more height than width is recommended. As Standing's day geckos are highly arboreal, providing objects for climbing and hiding is a must. More >> |
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Sungazer: This regal lizard was once common in the pet trade, but nowadays is a rarity and highly desired. A mild temperament and hardy nature makes the sungazer a hardy captive if specimens can be located.
Sungazers excavate burrows in open areas and shelter in them at night. More >> |
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Texas Horned Lizard: Popularly called ‘horned toads’ due to their squat appearance, these unusual members of the iguana family occupy a special ecological niche. Their flat, mottled shape makes them very cryptic against sand and gravel as their numerous spines break up the outline of their bodies. More >> |
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Tokay Gecko: Tokay geckos are attractive physically and draw hobbyists to them based on sight alone. That’s unfortunate because the Tokay gecko’s attitude doesn’t match its good looks. If you think a nocturnal lizard that’s definitely not a hands-on pet is suitable, this is an otherwise hardy gecko to consider. More >> |
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Tuatara: These throwbacks to prehistoric times are in their own separate family; they’re not even a lizard despite their similarity. They survive in just a few remote islands under the coldest conditions of any living reptile – normal active temps are in the 60s, and even high 50s Fahrenheit. More >> |
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Uromastyx: (All Uromastyx species.) More >> |
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Veiled Chameleon: A good size for a wood and wire cage would be 48 inches long by 30 inches wide by 71 inches tall, though the largest enclosure possible is always preferable. Aquariums may also do well as terrariums in either a vertical or horizontal format. More >> |
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Water Dragon: (All Water Dragon species.) More >> |
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Water Monitor: Because of their size, water monitors require spacious, well-constructed enclosures. As their name implies, water monitors are semi-aquatic. Captive water monitors should be provided with a container of water large enough to permit soaking along with sturdy branches for climbing and basking. More >> |
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White-Throated Monitor: Cape monitors are large are noted for their aggressive temperaments.
As captive pets, Cape monitors can be fed wax worms, king mealworms, mice and rats (pinkies or fuzzies). More >> |
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