Posts Tagged ‘housing’

How to Care For your Pet Lizard

Monday, March 2nd, 2009

Providing the right care for your pet lizard is difficult if you don’t know what you are doing. It’s even worse if you already know how to care for one type of lizard and assume that the same treatment would apply to all types of lizards. Different species will require different care. Their requirements to live a normal and comfortable life as captive animals will depend on how much you can simulate their new living quarters just like their natural habitat.

When preparing the tools and accessories you’ll need to care for your pet, you’ll first need to know where it came from. At least know what is the kind of environment its natural habitat is. Lizards from the desert will want to live in a sandy box while those from the forest or swamps will want a humid home. By identifying these two information, you could either get a humidifier for your pet to keep it wet once in a while or to get a UV lamp for additional warmth. If your pet lizard’s natural habitat is near the water, it might be good to add a basin or a small pool for your pet to wallow in.

Also, you will need to know about the characteristics of your pet lizards. If your species is the hyperactive type, it may be best to get your pet a bigger terrarium so it could have space to run around or jump around. If it likes high places or climbing branches, then you could add a branch in their terrarium.

Feeding habit should also be observed. Although lizards are reptiles just like snakes, lizards do need to eat at least once a day unlike the weekly feeding rime of snakes. Some species of lizards may even require to be fed twice in one day. So be sure to know how much food your pet requires in one day to be able to prepare and provide for it when needed.

When you need to carry your pet, don’t make it a habit to pull its tail. The smaller species of lizards have a tendency to cut off its tail and may run off while the bigger species that can’t perform autotomy, will be hurt when you carry them by their tails. Make it a habit that whenever you carry your reptile pets, you lift them by the underbelly while supporting it by its tail part.

Always provide fresh water for your pets to drink. Some, like the chameleon will only drink water dews created by the humidifier, this may be enough as drinking water source for the chameleon. Other and most lizard species though will appreciate having a dish of water in their terrarium. All species of lizards will drink fresh water even in a dish.

If your lizard likes the heat, don’t make the mistake of using heated stones to heat them up. Hot stones, if your pet lizards should stay on top of them for too long, could cause burns and injuries. Lizards don’t have nerves on their underbelly so they won’t be able to feel the heat there, that’s why it could stay long on that hot rock and burn without noticing it.

Lizards don;t like getting crowded as well. Make sure that when you are planning to have two lizards at the same time, that you have enough space to house both of them. If you are planning to put them in the same terrarium, make sure that the terrarium has enough space for both of them or they would get stressed and get sick or they may fight each other off and cause injuries to one another, which could lead to infection.

The most important thing to remember is that if that lizard came from some place else, or if it does not belong in your area, it is best not to set that animal free. Setting it free may cause an imbalance or disturbance in the ecosystem. So better to keep it with you or give to someone else who could take good care of it, like professional lizard breeders.

These are just the basic techniques and methods of caring for your pet lizards. It is advisable to read additional literature on how to take care of your specific pet lizard. You should be able to find resources on libraries or bookstores on the complete and detailed information on caring for your pet lizards.

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Top Three Pet Lizards For Beginners

Monday, March 2nd, 2009

When getting your first pet lizard, it is best to find one that is easier to handle and manage. This refers to both the requirements for care of the specific lizard species and it’s liking towards being held and petted by the owner. Most lizards prefer to be left alone and would get a fit when you try to touch them, some lizards are better left in their tanks or they’ll jump or run off and hide in some crack in your house. There are lizards that are difficult to maintain since their requirements in terms of their environment may be beyond the capacity of regular pet owners or that they may need specific types of food that you can’t possibly provide all the time.

To avoid any unpleasant experience during your first lizard pet, it is advisable that you get one that is suitable for beginners. There are three types of lizards that you could get and not regret having as your first pet:

1) Leopard Gecko - One of the favorite pet lizards and the most suggested for beginners. Leopard Geckos don’t need much attention. In fact, Leopard geckos hate attention. They prefer to mind their own business and just enjoy their personal space. If you enjoy looking at your pet without having to pay too much attention to it, this is the ideal pet lizard for you.

They only require a dry substrate and atmosphere within their tanks. Leopard Gecko’s natural habitat is the desert that is why they require a dry atmosphere. They also don’t like to climb high places too much so a short tank (height wise) is all you need.

In terms of feeding, you could feed them crickets, meal worms and wax worms. You just need to feed them once a day so you could just feed them when you get home.

Leopard Geckos are nocturnal lizards so you probably won’t see them much during the day and will just sense their presence at night. But sometimes, even at night, you won’t sense their presence too much since out of the three top pet lizards, Leopard Geckos are the least active.

2) Crested Gecko - Just like the Leopard Gecko, Crested Geckos don’t like too much attention. They, however, don’t mind being handled. They won’t get into a fit but they’d prefer to mind their own world.

Their requirements in terms of their living conditions are much more complicated compared to the other two favorite pets for beginners. The reason is that Crested Geckos’ natural habitat is the tropics. They require a wet substrate as well a humid tank. The problem with humidity is that it could lead to the growth of fungus. This requires daily and constant checking on your pet’s home.

Their diet consist mainly of fruits and vegetables. This is easy since you could find their dietary requirements almost everywhere. You could just go to the market or the grocery to get your pet lizard something to eat. Compared to the Leopard Gecko, which has a specific diet, Crested Geckos are easier to feed.

They don’t move a lot either, just like the previous gecko. They prefer to just stay in one place and hide. They don’t have the striking and contrasting colors of patterns on their bodies like the leopard gecko, just a boring monotoned skin. What you must be aware of though is Crested Geckos are arboreal lizards. They like being in high places, so if you want to own one of these, get them a tall tank and add some branches in it so the crested geckos could climb it.

3)Bearded Dragon - The favorite of all types of pet lizards. They move a lot which makes them look amusing to watch or observe while in their tank. But despite this, they like being handled. They are the most friendly towards humans and they very docile. They are relatively easy to manage but their care could be costly in the long run.

While young, you could house them in a small tank that could accommodate them. But as they grow older, bearded dragons grow out of those small tanks so they will require a bigger one. It might be cheaper to get it a bigger tank instead of a smaller one to have less expenses.

Just like the Leopard Gecko, Bearded Dragons are from the desert. This means that you have to keep their tanks as dry as possible and with proper and adequate heating.

Their diet consists of insects, meal worms, wax worms and other protein rich insects and worms. They will also require fruits and vegetables in their diet since they are herbivores. The main problem with bearded dragons is that they will require to eat at least once or twice a day and they eat a lot. This is where the long term cost comes in. To provide your pet with the nutrition it needs, you will have to spend a lot on its food.

These are just a few of the information you will need when starting to raise your pet lizards. It is highly suggested that you research and consult breeders and veterinarians about raising pet lizards so that you wouldn’t encounter any problems raising them.

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Pet Lizard Guide on Bearded Dragon

Monday, March 2nd, 2009

Bearded dragons are one of the most popular species of pet lizards available. Despite their striking appearances, bearded dragons are popular choice for pet lizards because they are relatively easier to handle and take care of as compared to other species of lizards.

They are natives of southern Australia. They like crawling on rocks and stones and branches so if and when you decide to get one of these as your pets, keep that in mind in order to simulate an environment as close to it’s natural habitat as possible.

They are mild mannered and gentle lizards that is why they are easy to manage. Plus, of all the pet lizards out there, Bearded Dragons are the easiest to breed in captivity.

Diet

These little critters are omnivorous animals so they could eat insects, small mammals, worms, fruits and vegetables.

A hatchling should be fed with crickets three times a day on the average. As it grows older, you could include a variety of worms to its diet like earthworms, waxworm, cockroaches, etch. You could also feed your bearded dragon leafy vegetables. Spray the vegetables with water to help hydrate your pet.

As it grows older, you could include more insects to its diet. You could include locusts, Cockroaches an a variety of worms, crickets and vegetables. Avoid feeding your lizard with insects that you caught in the backyard. These insects may have insecticides, parasites or diseases that could cause your pet to get sick or suffer an illness. Stick to feeds that you can buy from pet stores for your bearded dragon to ensure its health.

Add minerals and vitamins to its diet. This way, you could make sure that it will receive all the nutrients that your lizard needs.

Housing

A 40 gallon tank should be enough to house your bearded dragon. Some breeders or owners would suggest that you get a 20 gallon tank while your pet is still young. This may be good but to be practical, getting the 40 gallon tank from the beginning should be better so that you don’t have to transfer your pet from one terrarium to another.

Breeders usually use glass aquariums to house their pet lizards. They like glass aquariums because they are easier to clean and they don’t get scratched as much. The clear glass also allows owners to view their pets easier.

It is important that the natural environment of the bearded dragon be simulated as close to reality within its captive home. Since this species of lizard lives naturally in the desert, the substrate of its terrarium should feel like the desert which is sandy and rocky. Adding a tree branch in their new home is also advisable since it will provide exercise for your pet as well as satisfaction since bearded dragons like climbing on high places.

Lighting

Bearded dragons require special lighting as well. In fact, for it to maintain its health, you should add UV light bulbs to its house. Bearded Dragons require both the heat and the UV light. Without the light and the heat, your pet lizard could suffer from Metabolic Bone Disease.

Your pet dragon will require to be basking under the light and heat for about 12-14 hours per day. Make sure that you put the bulb in the aquarium and not outside. Glass is known to deflects UV light.

Health

Pet lizards are susceptible to numerous kinds of diseases, illness and sickness. To mention some of them, Bearded Dragons are known to suffer from mites, thermal burns, thermal ingestion, calcium deficiency, respiratory infections, parasites, etc.

The problem with bearded dragons, as well as all other pet reptiles is that they are not too good at showing their health conditions if they are sick. The keep the symptoms of their diseases or illness hidden so it’s difficult to identify if your pet is sick or not.

To prevent the sickness, and nutrient deficiencies, make sure that your pet gets all the necessary nutrients it requires. Also, at the very first sign of sickness, take your pet to the vet right away.

These are just the basic information we have on the bearded dragon. If you are seriously considering taking one as a pet, further literature and readings are suggested to make sure that you can provide the proper recommended and required care for your bearded dragon.

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Pet Lizard Guide on Green Iguanas

Tuesday, March 17th, 2009

One of the most popular type of lizard would be the Green Iguana. More commonly known as Iguanas, these lizards are very appealing as pet because of their physical characteristics. Yes, most people who found themselves owning and caring for iguanas, especially the beginners, are seduced by the mean appearance of this scaly lizard.

They don’t like being captive that much but for some reason, and it is primarily to the appeal of their mean looks, there are hundreds of thousands of Green Iguanas that are kept captive and bought as pets by many enthusiasts.

If you are one of those who have preferred to own this pet lizard with a striking appearance, and are still a beginner as a pet lizard owner, you should realize that this endeavor will be difficult for you. Green Iguanas aren’t for beginners. Ideally, this species of lizard would best be owned or cared for by a more experienced owner.

There are a few things that you should remember as basic knowledge about Green Iguanas in case you already own one and have no idea what to do with it.

Diet

First of all, Green Iguanas are herbivores. They will eat most leafy vegetables and a variety of fruits. In this regard, you may find it easy to feed and provide nourishment for your pet reptile. Any vegetable or fruits that you’d find in your fridge should be good enough for you pet to eat, so you wouldn’t have much problems looking or coming up with what to feed it.

Iguanas are tropical lizards so you might want to consider this the next time you go to the market to buy vegetables for your pet. With the wide variety of leaves and fruits in the tropics, there is a huge possibility that the natural diet of iguanas are full of nutrients that they require. Some of them may not be available in your fridge so it is very advisable to give your pet a regular dose of vitamins and nutrients that you could purchase from pet shops.

Although they are herbivores, if you give them insects meat, iguanas may eat them. But you must be careful with this. Since they are naturally herbivores, too much protein will cause complications to their health. In fact, if your pet iguana intakes too many protein than they require, they may suffer from liver problems.

Housing

Iguanas grow really long if taken care of properly so it is advisable to have a really big tank for your pet. When it is still a hatchling a 30 to 50 gallon tank would suffice. But as it grows bigger, a custom tank that would house your pet is necessary.

The ideal size in terms of housing for an iguana would be 11/1 its total length, the width of the tank should be equivalent to 2/3 the length of the lizard and the height should be equivalent to its length. This is the ideal minimum size of the green iguana’s tank. It could be bigger if you could afford it or if you have a space for it. But definitely, a high tank is good for them since they like to climb things.

The substrate, since iguanas are tropical lizards, should be able to absorb moisture and could be wet as preferred by iguanas. Proper heating should also be provided in order for the lizard to digest its food properly.

Lighting

The lighting in the tank of your pet lizard’s purpose is simply to simulate the tropical lighting. There are myths saying that a certain type of light will provide your iguana vitamins that will help it absorb calcium. Although it is true, you will require at least 8 of these lights a few inches away from the lizard for the light to be effective.

Never put its tank under the sun. The sun’s heat could raise the temperature inside the tank that may cause your pet to get dehydrated and die.

Health

Iguanas may acquire diseases and illnesses as well although if it was raised properly, it may be able to avoid them.

The most common killer of iguanas would be kidney failure. If you do own one, you should be sensitive to it and be aware of the changes in its habits and activities. IF you see something out of the ordinary, it would be best to observe your pet closely. On the very firs sign of weakness, you should take your pet iguana to a qualified vet for treatment.

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