Buzz
Looking for a quiet, clean pet that doesn't require too much space or care? A lizard could be your perfect option. They're easy to find, simple to catch, and most importantly, they're very easy to take care of.
Steps
Prepare a Home for Your New Pet
Get a glass tank with dimensions of approximately 60 cm long, 30 cm wide, and 30 cm deep. Make sure there are no gaps where the lizard could escape.
Use a UVB light or a heating pad to ensure your lizard's new home has the appropriate temperature. Lizards are cold-blooded creatures that rely on the external environment to regulate their body heat. The temperature in the tank should be at least 27°C, with the basking area reaching 35°C.
- Avoid using heated rocks as they can burn your lizard.
Choose a floor covering that is easy to clean. Paper towels and newspaper are inexpensive and easy to replace, making them perfect for medium to small-sized lizards.
Add small branches, tree bark, or boxes for hiding to the tank. Lizards like to protect themselves by hiding.
Catch the Lizard
Identify areas where you are likely to spot lizards frequently. Lizards enjoy warm places with sunlight, so search for spots with plenty of sunshine.
Catch the lizard using traps or a fishing pole.
- Trap method: Find an odor-free box and cut a small opening. Place the box where you usually spot lizards and add live insect bait. Check the trap two to three times a day. It might take several days to catch the lizard, so ensure the bait is replaced when needed.
- Fishing pole method: Find a stick that's at least 1 meter long and a piece of dental floss. Tie the floss to one end of the stick, creating a loop large enough for the lizard’s neck. Slowly approach the lizard and gently slip the loop around its neck. The best time to catch a lizard is in the morning, as they are still cold and move more slowly.
Identify what species your lizard belongs to by visiting Animal World. Geckos, chameleons, and short-legged skinks are popular lizard species that make great pets.
Approach the Lizard
Handle your new pet carefully. Like all animals, lizards can experience pain. Some signs of discomfort include biting, thrashing, scratching, and trying to escape.
Hold the lizard in your hands and steady its head between your thumb and index finger.
- Firmly grasp the lizard, holding one of its front legs between your thumb and index finger. However, this method may cause the lizard to thrash and potentially bite you.
Gently place one hand on the lizard's back. Use the other hand to gently grasp its sides with just enough pressure to keep it still.
Ensure that you are controlling the lizard’s full body weight and length for its comfort. Stay calm and pet it gently.
Caring for the Lizard
Provide fresh water for the lizard daily. Depending on the species, use a shallow water dish, a bowl with bubbles (for lizards that prefer bubbly water), or mist the tank’s walls daily (for tree-dwelling or desert lizards).
Purchase live insects like crickets, small worms, or larvae from pet stores and feed your lizard 5 to 7 times a week. Make sure to buy insects that are the right size for your lizard.
- Place six insects in the tank to observe how many the lizard will consume. Leftover food can pose a danger to the lizard while it’s resting, so it’s important not to overfeed.
Clean the tank whenever it smells or shows signs of animal waste.
- Change the substrate. If it’s paper, discard everything and replace it with fresh paper towels or newspaper. If it's gravel or mats, wash thoroughly and return them to the tank.
- Clean the tank’s frame. A good method is to mix alcohol with water in a 1:2 ratio and add 1-2 drops of dish soap. Make sure to dry the tank well afterward.
Tips
- If the lizard escapes, search for it immediately.
- Do not release the lizard back into the wild if it has been kept in captivity for a long time.
- Avoid keeping multiple male lizards together.
- For breeding, ensure you have enough space and only one male. The best combination for breeding is one male and four females.
Warnings
- Quickly remove the lizard's neck from the loop of the catching tool to prevent it from struggling and choking itself.
- Ensure you take proper precautions when handling a new pet. Like all animals, lizards can carry diseases and cause infections.
