Top 6 Lizards to Keep as Pets at Home

Although dogs, cats, and freshwater fish dominate the pet scene — with 122.7 million U.S. households owning at least one — reptiles, including lizards, are found in approximately 6 million homes. If you're considering a reptile, particularly a lizard, you're in the perfect spot.

Whether it's bearded dragons or blue-tongued skinks, we've curated a selection of the top lizard pets to consider bringing into your home.

Do Lizards Make Good Pets?

Critics often highlight concerns about lizards as pets, pointing out that they can carry diseases potentially harmful to humans and that recognizing illness in reptiles can be challenging.

"Providing proper care for these animals to ensure they thrive and live a good life is often beyond our capabilities," veterinary technician Lorelei Tibbetts stated in an interview with The New York Times.

On the flip side, proponents argue that with proper education and the growing number of veterinarians specializing in reptiles, caring for pet lizards is achievable. They also emphasize that lizards are quieter compared to dogs and cats.

If you choose to adopt a pet lizard, thorough research and a commitment to responsibility are crucial. Seek out reputable breeders or trusted pet stores for your new companion. Additionally, ensure that owning certain lizard species is legal in your state.

1. African Fat-tailed Gecko

With a lifespan exceeding 15 years, African fat-tailed geckos thrive on a diet of insects like crickets and waxworms. Provide a shallow water bowl and maintain their habitat by spot cleaning daily and conducting a deep clean monthly to ensure their safety.

2. Bearded Dragon

Bearded dragons are a low-maintenance lizard species with a lifespan of up to 10 years. Their diet includes insects, leafy greens, and occasional fruits, which should make up only around 10% of their intake.

Beardies prefer warm environments, with temperatures between 95 to 115 degrees F (35 to 46.1 degrees C), but it's essential to ensure they always have access to fresh water.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises against keeping bearded dragons as pets for children under 5 or adults over 65. Additionally, they should be kept away from kitchens and dining areas to prevent the risk of illness.

3. Blue-tongued Skink

This lizard, known for its distinctive blue tongue and leisurely pace, thrives on a diet of snails and vegetation. At the Oakland Zoo, it plays a key role in educating visitors about the essentials of proper pet care.

"Our Blue Tongue Skink is part of an educational initiative aimed at teaching the public about responsible pet ownership and understanding animal needs," states the zoo.

4. Chinese Water Dragon

Chinese water dragons are considered ideal pets for seasoned reptile keepers. These creatures, with a lifespan of up to 15 years, can reach lengths of 3 feet (0.9 meters).

Their diet includes birds, rodents, and fish. At the Smithsonian National Zoo, they are fed cockroaches, earthworms, mixed greens, and crickets.

5. Crested Gecko

Once thought to be extinct, crested geckos can live for up to 20 years. They typically measure 8 to 9 inches (20.32 to 22.86 centimeters) in length. These reptiles feature a prehensile tail and eyelash-like structures that shield their eyes.

6. Leopard Gecko

Leopard geckos are among the top choices for pet lizards due to their calm nature. These spotted reptiles are available in a variety of colors and sizes. Their diet consists of mealworms, grasshoppers, larvae, and crickets.

Lizards to Consider Carefully

Not all reptiles are ideal for domestication. For instance, green iguanas can grow quite large and possess a powerful bite. Nevertheless, their popularity as pets has been on the rise.

"The widespread popularity of the Common Green Iguana (Iguana iguana) as a household pet has led to its classification as an invasive species globally," as stated in a research paper. In regions like Florida, owning a green iguana is prohibited by law.

Gila monsters are unsuitable as pets due to their venomous nature, which poses a risk to humans through their bites.

Monitor lizards are another species to avoid. They demand extensive care and generally do not thrive in close proximity to humans.