UVB and heating: The same UVB and heat requirements as the Bearded Dragon are needed.ĭiet: They will also need the same diet as the Bearded Dragon, which is a varied insect and veg/plant one.
Size and lifespan: The Blue-tongue skink will grow to around 20-22 inches on average, and will live a good 15+ years with an optimal captive setup.
It has very much the same requirements as the Bearded Dragon. Naturally found roaming the woods and grasslands of Australia, this lovely lizard has become ever popular over the past 10 years. Learn more about Leopard Gecko vivarium setups here and what Leopard gecko's eat. The Arcadia ShadeDweller is perfect for this task and designed for such species.ĭiet: They are an insect only eating species and tend to want such after the lights are out in the setup. They also require a low-level UVB during the day. Vivarium, heating and UVB: Needing at least a 3ft x 1.5ft x 1.5ft enclosure, bigger if possible but not smaller, they require overhead heating, as heat always comes from above in nature. Handling: Like the Bearded Dragon, they do 'tolerate' short handling sessions, although they do tend to keep moving once out of the enclosure making it more difficult for smaller children. Most active: Being a crepuscular species (more active during dawn and dusk times) it may not be the ideal choice for children due to the limited time it will make itself visible. Size and lifespan: With an average size of around 10-12 inches and living a good 15-20 years, this small gecko species is a shy and placid one. And it makes a great pet for children.įound in the highlands of Asia and throughout Afghanistan, right through to parts of northern India. Your dragon will be visible while eating, basking, and going about its business throughout the day. In summary, given the correct lighting, vivarium size, enrichment and environmental conditions, Bearded Dragons are quite an active reptile. Lifespan: Bearded Dragons can live an average of 8-10 years in captivity, with many going far beyond that with our current husbandry knowledge and technological advancements. You can learn more about the best setup for a Bearded Dragon here. The average size of an adult Bearded Dragon reaches around 20 inches, so go even bigger still if you can. Vivarium and size: Their wooden vivarium should be a minimum size of 4ft x 2ft x 2ft and this should be their forever home. UVB: They need a high UVB exposure via a reflected UVB tube at the correct distances for their needed exposure (not coil UVB or all-In-one). Lighting and heating: They also require specialist lighting provided by a white heat bulb with a basking zone of around 38-40c. And with them being very fast when small, it can be a problem when it comes to any handling.īut once over a year old and fully grown (at around 15 months) they slow down more, are far less jumpy, and at this stage certainly tolerate short handling sessions with a more relaxed demeanor.ĭiet: Diet wise Bearded Dragon's have a diet of both insect and plant matter throughout their lifetime. More so once past that baby and juvenile stage (0-12 months).Īlthough they are still placid under one year of age, they are far more jumpy and easily startled. It's popularity as a pet is due to its placid nature. Also, regions of Queensland, Victoria, and New South Wales. The Central Bearded Dragon is found throughout most of Southern Australia. Probably the worlds most popular pet lizard. Bearded DragonĬhild friendliness: Due to its ease of handling, and being active during daylight hours, this is my top choice as 'easiest' and importantly, child friendly reptile. These are simply not good enough.Īrcadia ProT5 offer the best UVB options available and strength can be species and setup height dependent. If children are involved in lizard care, you should always supervise any interaction.Īny UVB mentioned in this article is a linear Tube UVB, not coil or all-in-one bulbs. The Bearded Dragon is one of the most popular pet lizards Best pet lizard for beginnersĮvery lizard requires specialist care, regardless. Chinese water dragon (Physignathus cocincinus).Blue tongued skink (Tiliqua scincoides intermedia).Veiled chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus).
Popular and increasingly popular species include: The 'best', I feel, would always be personal preference.īut regardless of what your personal choice is, the factors regarding the setup and lizard size, food costs and so on, all factor into any decision when choosing your pet. There are so many factors that go into caring for any species of animal. Vet fee cover only also available | We've been insuring exotic pets since 1996 | Check out our customer reviews on Feefo. Don't forget your lizard insurance! Get a quote for £1,000 of vet fees, death and theft cover.