Big lizards were to start?

[Boacephus]

All this lizard talk lately has rekindled the "desire". Is there any way you lizard experts could give us an outline of sorts? Maybe a list that includes the "general" species that are available, potential max size, maybe overall temperament of the species. I know I'm asking alot of your time but it would be helpful to myself and future keepers. I'm trying to do the research and I have to bounce all over the place. Also as the subj, where does a person start, reading caresheets of course, handling another owners lizards(if available), and so forth. The overall consensus seems like a Tegu is a good place to start??? Wife has liked the blue tongue skink since she saw one, would that give any experience? Is there such a thing as a good starting Monitor? My only personal experience is in keeping beardies, leos, a tokay, and a green basilisk. Thanks in advance for any input!

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[Ophiophilia]

TEGUS! Argentine Tegus.
Ackie Monitors (Varanus Acanthurus) are small monitors that are fairly easy to care for. I was looking into getting one or a pair.
Black and White Argentine Tegus get around 3'-4.5' while Red tegus get a little larger.

I say research ALOT. Go to Tegutalk.com for all your tegu info.
Research anywhere and everywhere.

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[razeraze]

Read some of the posts here. Pay close attention to the one where Mcota says to avoid caresheet information. What kind of lizard do you want? Herbivore, omnivore, carnivore? What size cage do you have to devote to the lizard and what size lizard are you looking to get?

Why don't you take a few weeks deciding what size and lizard diet fits what you want and come back with a few choices. There are so many lizards and narrowing them down for you not knowing anything about what you can provide and what you want is incredibly difficult.

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[Boacephus]

Well as far as size goes, I was looking at something to the 2'-4' range, due to enclosure size. Food source I didn't really consider a factor, but thanks for making me think about it. Probably an omnivore would be better suited, primarily a herbivore, with the occasional meat. Still not a huge factor but definitely worth considering. Not looking for a lap lizard, but one that will tolerate the occasional head pat, or chin scratch would be a plus. I can take pleasure in providing a happy life with minimal interaction but the interaction is always a plus. Enclosure will be in the basement, so one that will handle a once or twice a week carry to the main level for roaming and exercise would be beneficial. So most of my reading has been focused on the Tegus, Savs, Argus, and Ackies, proofing this it appears perhaps I could pick up an iggy from a rescue? Am I on the right track here

	Iguana Iguana

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[DRZRider]

Probably an omnivore would be better suited, primarily a herbivore, with the occasional meat.

You are definitely looking at tegus and not monitors. All monitors in the pet trade are carnivorous. Some tegus eat more meat than others. Off hand I don't know the ones that are mostly herbivores.
I like ackies and argus best. You can buy crickets, roaches, mice, and rats in bulk and they don't cost a lot. I think it is easier to feed carnivores than herbivores.

[Boacephus]

Feeders aren't bad to buy online. I just use needing feeders as an excuse to get out of the house, lol. I usually buy only 3 or 4 at a time for my BCI, but I have been considering ordering a batch now that he will be on large for a spell. Feeder was just another variable for me to factor in, difficulty of care is the biggest. I'm really starting to lean toward Tegus though. I still have time, I don't plan on making a decision till later in the summer anyhow. That way I can give myself time to do the research and get the enclosure up and running where it should be. Thanks again for the info.

	Boa Constrictor Imperator Boa Constrictor (Boa constrictor imperator). Most common is the Colombian Boa.

[razeraze]

Green iguanas are in shelters all the time, they are also being removed from Florida. I know the people from this site
Nature Coast Exotics Inc. - Everything Else
used to go and catch green iguanas to sell. I would contact them. Since they will be W/C they may not be the friendliest reptiles but better than them being euthanized.

[justine]

You are definitely looking at tegus and not monitors. All monitors in the pet trade are carnivorous. Some tegus eat more meat than others. Off hand I don't know the ones that are mostly herbivores.
I like ackies and argus best. You can buy crickets, roaches, mice, and rats in bulk and they don't cost a lot. I think it is easier to feed carnivores than herbivores.

argentine and red tegus are supposedly primarily herbivorous. that doesnt make it so as many will just starve themselves until they get what they want (meat meat meat). colombians arent too into the green stuff either.

[jtmoney]

Carn's are easier to feed IMO. For me who has a colonly of 700+ dubia is one of the major reasons I am prob going to get an ackie.

	In My Opinon IMO = In My Opinion and IMHO = In My Honest Opinion

[allergenic]

Originally Posted by jtmoney

Carn's are easier to feed IMO. For me who has a colonly of 700+ dubia is one of the major reasons I am prob going to get an ackie.

God I hate roaches. You are a better man than I.

Originally Posted by Boacephus

Well as far as size goes, I was looking at something to the 2'-4' range, due to enclosure size.

Large monitors won't stay within those size requirements, medium would be more suited. I could recommend a female Argus, I've found my pair very rewarding and the females stay roughly 3 feet (while males get to be 5 feet). I don't have any Ackies but everything I've read says they are extremely tractable and rewarding and the optimum choice for someone wanting something of that size. They stay roughly 2 feet.

Originally Posted by Boacephus

Food source I didn't really consider a factor, but thanks for making me think about it. Probably an omnivore would be better suited, primarily a herbivore, with the occasional meat. Still not a huge factor but definitely worth considering.

One of the most rewarding omnivores from experiences I've read is the Argentine Black and White Tegu. They are much more tractable than the Columbian Black and Whites but they will, again, get over 4 feet.

Originally Posted by Boacephus

Not looking for a lap lizard, but one that will tolerate the occasional head pat, or chin scratch would be a plus. I can take pleasure in providing a happy life with minimal interaction but the interaction is always a plus. Enclosure will be in the basement, so one that will handle a once or twice a week carry to the main level for roaming and exercise would be beneficial. So most of my reading has been focused on the Tegus, Savs, Argus, and Ackies, proofing this it appears perhaps I could pick up an iggy from a rescue? Am I on the right track here

Iguanas are hit or miss. I used to raise them when I was young, and they are quite a handful. Very territorial. Their size is not the only reason they wind up at rescues. If you are up for the work though, they can be very rewarding, especially if you put in the dedication needed to get one to calm down. And plus, dealing with rescues and giving proper care and attention to other people's cast offs is always 1000x more rewarding than being a participant in the pet trade.

I think I might have used the word "rewarding" 8 or 9 times, by the looks of things.

	In My Opinon IMO = In My Opinion and IMHO = In My Honest Opinion