Dogs, cats, fish, gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs—oh, my! These are just some of the animals families choose from when selecting a pet. However, have you ever thought about a lizard? In honor of World Lizard Day on August 14, let's talk about the possibility of your next pet being a cold-blooded reptile.
Here are some facts about lizards, in case you didn't know:
- Reptiles (like snakes) — Lizards belong to the reptile family.
- Cold-blooded (like snakes) — Lizards have to rely on their environment to keep them warm. They can't generate their own body heat like mammals can.
- Dry, scaly skin — In this case, dry is good because their skin is waterproof, which helps keep lizards hydrated in dry environments.
- External ear openings
- Movable eyelids (unlike snakes) — Geckos are the exception. They don't have eyelids but have a membrane over their eyes for protection from sunshine and dirt.
- Four-legged (unlike snakes) — Lizards run in a side-to-side motion. Most lizards have four legs, although a few species have reduced or no legs.
- Carnivores (most lizards) — Smaller lizards like geckos and green anoles eat insects, whereas the Komodo dragon can eat a mammal the size of a water buffalo! Really?!
- Tongues do detective work (like snakes) — Lizards use their tongues to smell things and the environment around them.
The smallest lizard is the dwarf gecko at 0.6 inches and the longest is the Komodo dragon which can grow up to 10 feet! In the weight category, the dwarf gecko comes in at 0.004 ounces, and the Komodo dragon can weigh as much as 176 pounds. Don't think you'll be choosing a Komodo dragon as your next family member! 🙂
Can you believe that there are over 7,000 species of lizards? You'll have a lot to choose from for a pet.
So, why am I suggesting you get a lizard instead of a dog or a cat? Well, they are hypoallergenic. That means they won't make you sneeze and have watery eyes. They don't need to be walked or let out a few times a day, and they don't take up much space. You would need to set up a terrarium home for your long-tailed friend. Lizards can live for many years—from about five years for green anoles and long-tailed lizards to 14–16 years for leopard geckos.
Let's talk food. Do you like live bugs? If you do, you're in luck because anoles, chameleons, and geckos eat live insects, such as spiders, ants, roaches, flies, and moths, just to name a few. If feeding live insects doesn't sound appetizing, go for an iguana. They're the vegetarians of the bunch. They will eat fruit, dark leafy greens, and vegetables. The bearded dragon, however, is an omnivore, like some humans. It will eat insects. (Humans, by comparison, eat meat, plants, and fish—not insects, at least not in many parts of the world!) Bearded dragons also eat leafy greens and berries, giving them a much more well-rounded diet.
For more information about lizards, here are some books you can find at the Frisco Public Library:
Do You Really Want A Lizard?, opens a new window
Curious About Lizards, opens a new window
Bearded Dragon, opens a new window
Caring for My New Iguana, opens a new window
Geckos Walk on Walls!, opens a new window
Check one or two of these out before heading to the pet store, or your backyard, to get your next family pet!
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