What is a good lizard to hang out with?

smellati · #1 (**permalink**) 03-23-2005, 08:53 AM

I've seen several people bring out their lizards with them places, such as asian water dragons and Iguanas. My question is what species are good to hang around with? Not necessairly outside, but at least in the house. I'm basically looking for the excact opposite of a display reptile. I would like it to be about 5 feet in lenght, give or take a few feet. But primarly I want to know what species are good "people" pets.

NicoleRussell · #2 (**permalink**) 03-23-2005, 12:06 PM

if you want a lizard that will be a a good people pet within 18 months go for an argentine BW or Red tegu. If you have more patience and are willing to wait a bit more---a rhino iguana makes a great pet.
Both lizards require a lot of space, temp controlled environments and UVB.
I feel cyclura (rhinos, blues etc) make better pet lizards then green iguanas for so many reasons. They are larger though--they tend to be bulkier...they also need the owner to be well versed in diet, and caging requirements.
Tegus are a bit different--but very friendly wonderful animals. They require whole prey which is another expense each month.
I usually put it into perspecive this way:
If cyclura are the dogs of the lizard world tegus are more like cats. It depends on what your into

xxxjustinxxx · #3 (**permalink**) 03-23-2005, 12:48 PM

savannah monitor

Dragon-Keeper · #4 (**permalink**) 03-23-2005, 12:48 PM

Are the rest hamsters?

smellati · #5 (**permalink**) 03-23-2005, 03:50 PM

Thanks guys, you been very helpful. I really like the bw tegu, but need to find out how to make room for one. What would recommend as a cage? Any place where I can buy a reasonably priced cage? Or am I better of building one myself? If so, any websites out there you could point me to that would show me how to build a cage?

I thought savanna monitors where agressive. Are they really a "people" pet? Keep in mind I'm looking for something that would seldom, if ever, stress out of human handling.

Don't know too much about rhino Iguanas. I have to do some research on them.

crush · #6 (**permalink**) 03-23-2005, 04:02 PM

Savanna is not a good people Monitor. I work with 2 and they dont like to be bothered to much.

Livia · #7 (**permalink**) 03-23-2005, 04:10 PM

I have a large black throat monitor that I carry around like a baby. He goes to school programs, and licks children from his display crate. I also have a B&W tegu that is psychotic, and will bite anything that comes near it. I can't even clean his cage without a large pair of thick leather welding gloves on. Both were rescues that I got full grown, so it really depends entirely on how much time you spend working with them from day one. Every animal is going to be different. Patience and persistance.

Livia

JuliusSqueezer · #8 (**permalink**) 03-23-2005, 04:51 PM

I have a nice one. He's not quite 5 feet but a bit over 3 I think. He hangs out with me all the time and never makes a mess. He doesn't eat much and he's cool as a cucumber. He is a varanus plushstufftis..not sure of the common name. Here's a pic of him hanging out on top of my computer desk.

schmelkdog · #9 (**permalink**) 03-23-2005, 05:15 PM

JS sometimes I worry about you man

smellati · #10 (**permalink**) 03-23-2005, 05:17 PM

Very nice lizard you got there JuliusSqueezer, but I'm looking for something a little more active..lol

I did a little more research on rhino iguanas. Is it true they only eat fruits and veggies? That would be a big plus for me. Anybody have one? How are they with handling and around people? I don't want something that I only can handle 20 minutes a day or something like that. Already have that with my ball python. And he is quick to let me know when he's had enough of me..lol

NicoleRussell · #11 (**permalink**) 03-23-2005, 07:54 PM

I have one. And yes they eat fruit, veggies and greens.
They take a long time to get used to handling...as soon as they put on some size they seem to relax....as adults they are wonderful lizards. They live a long time therfore take a long time to mature....but it's all worth what you get back.

blkcrochunter · #12 (**permalink**) 03-23-2005, 09:20 PM

I prefer savannahs over tegus, I got my sav and tegu on the same day. The only one who still resides with me is the sav. He is just so laid back I named him Ice Cold, because he's cooler than cool. As for the tegu I gave him to a local pet shop, because it was getting to dangerous just change his water or clean his cage.

smellati · #13 (**permalink**) 03-23-2005, 10:34 PM

Man this is confusing! First savannahs where agressive, now tegus? I guess it all depends on how much time you spend with them...I hope. What kind of enclousures do rhino iguanas and savannahs need? I've seen adult sav, tegu and rhino iguanas before and so far as looks, I like all of them. Anywhere where I can find a good care sheet on them?

ChicagoCubs22 · #14 (**permalink**) 03-23-2005, 10:42 PM

bearded dragons

smellati · #15 (**permalink**) 03-23-2005, 11:28 PM

hmm. are bearded dragons acitve snd good "people" pets? How big do they get? Their a bit smaller than what I'm looking for I think, but I'm still interested.

ann0306 · #16 (**permalink**) 03-23-2005, 11:33 PM

Man, I really want a tegu.

NicoleRussell · #17 (**permalink**) 03-23-2005, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blkcrochunter

I prefer savannahs over tegus, I got my sav and tegu on the same day. The only one who still resides with me is the sav. He is just so laid back I named him Ice Cold, because he's cooler than cool. As for the tegu I gave him to a local pet shop, because it was getting to dangerous just change his water or clean his cage.

must have been a Colombian...I can't imagine an argentine being anything but big fat lazy and sweet.

NicoleRussell · #18 (**permalink**) 03-23-2005, 11:45 PM

Rhinos, tegus and savvy's need about the same aount of space....ALOT> the more the better. They are all terrestrial in the end so floor space is wat you are looking for.
With tegus the cage being directly on the floor is a plus--this way you can open the cage and let the animal walk out and in during free roam time.
With tegus, the less you allow them to free roam the larger the enclosure should be....mine started out in a 4 foot cage, then I had them in a 6 foot cage---then i n a 10 foot L shaped cage...then back to a 6 foot cage---now they free roam in the herproom.
I found the very large cage was pointless because anytime I was home they came out---and when they were in the enclosure they didn't do much but sleep and bask.

blkcrochunter · #19 (**permalink**) 03-24-2005, 01:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NicoleRussell

must have been a Colombian...I can't imagine an argentine being anything but big fat lazy and sweet.

Yes it was a columbian tegu. As soon as I got him to the petshop he tried to bite someone.

NicoleRussell · #20 (**permalink**) 03-24-2005, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blkcrochunter

Yes it was a columbian tegu. As soon as I got him to the petshop he tried to bite someone.

columbians are the niles of the tegu world.
Very rare to find a tame one--and "tame" is a stretch even for those few.....argentines are soooo different.

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