Lizards....should i get one?

[K1LLswitch]

Thinking about getting a lizard for a pet. It is mainly for the kids to enjoy, but I have always wanted one since I was a kid so thought it would be a cool pet. Bearded dragons look pretty neat and the pet store guy / some interwebz reading seems to indicate they are good with kids. Any thoughts / feedback from lizard owners out there? Is this going to be fun or a big pain?

Getting a dog is a good 8-10 years away (3rd child is due in May) so want to have a neat pet for the interim years.

I recognize in advance that I will be the primary care giver (no illusions the kids will provide any care if they were anything like I was as a kid) and I have no problems with that - more just wondering if there are hidden disadvantages to being a "lizard owner" from fellow CPers. Thx.

[GreatWhiteEbola]

Short answer, no. I had one willed to me, it was a pita, I didn't want the stupid thing so I guess I am biased.

[Hi-Psi]

I've had bearded dragons and leopard geckos in the past. Great little pets, pretty easy to maintain. You'll probably find a few crickets throughout your house from time to time if any happen to jump out of the cage when you are feeding them. I say go for it, they're awesome! Oh and maybe it's just me but I bought my lizards from a breeder(Usually at the lizard fairs that come around every few months) so that I could get a rare type of each kind of lizard, I liked having something a little different than the normal type from Petland and the like.

Jason

[MoneyGuy]

My python, Monty, would love a play date with your lizard.

[sclitheroe]

Only get lizards if you like crickets. Dusted with vitamin supplement. On the loose.

[frinkprof]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

My python would love a play date with your lizard.

[Red Slinger]

Some lizards, such as leopard geckos and box tortoises, make very good, low-maintenance pets. I find lizards and snakes to be more of a novelty pet though. In general, lizards don't have a sense of humour and, as such, are less 'fun'.

[saskflames69]

Be sure to let it romp around in nuclear waste. Something hilarious/terrifying usually happens when you do that.

[JD]

Originally Posted by K1LLswitch

Bearded dragons look pretty neat and the pet store guy / some interwebz reading seems to indicate they are good with kids.

Haha, this struck me as odd... are lizards even capable of differentiating between adults and children?

[Calgary4LIfe]

I would look at a uromastyx. They have less (not none, but LESS) salmonella on them. They don't require a water dish (they don't drink water), thus less salmonella risk. You actually can't put a water dish in with them - they risk getting bacterial infections.

Feed them collared greens and birdseed. Do not feed crickets (except as a very occasional treat).

They come in all sorts of colors, and are more reluctant to bite. Can be a bit pricey, however, especially for some of the more colorful species.

[Vinny01]

In my early 20's my roomate had a uromastyx and I looked after her a lot when he was away for work.

It is funny I was instructed to change her water every day but according to Calgary4Life she didn't need it. She also just ate lettuce so not very high maintenanec. Really cool lizard though if you are into those kind of pets. Pretty muc harmless and didn't get very big

[Ozy_Flame]

Have a cat? Get a chameleon. Watch hilarity ensue.

[TheGrimm]

Sounds like a boring pet to me.

[Sliver]

I can't imagine what you're going to get out of this. Your kids will be tired of it in like a week (if not sooner).

Have you thought about a beta (the fish)? They're cheap and easy to care for. Less work, no stench, less money, similar payback. And you can at least tick off the "pet owner" box of being a good parent. Plus they don't live very long, which IMO is the hallmark of a good pet.

[Reaper]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Plus they don't live very long, which IMO is the hallmark of a good pet.

Wow, You really dickified this thread in an efficient manner. At least you're consistent.

[Burninator]

I had a lizard when I was younger. Pretty lame pet, unless you like staring at an animal that rarely moves. They are lower maintenance compared to a dog or a cat, but without the companionship. At least fish move around.

[Northendzone]

have you thought about a slinky, kids love slinkies....

[brocoli]

I had a chameleon for a couple of years. Still one of my most favorite pets that I've owned. She was sweet and loving and as weird as this sounds protective of me. She would hiss sometimes when you put your hand in the cage to grab her, but she never bit me. She would sometime lunge her mouth towards me, but just a tap, then I would grab her and all would be good.
Chameleons are great because they move slow, are one of the coolest animals to watch eat, and don't hurt when the crawl all over you. Like it was said above, don't be surprised when a few crickets end up around your house as they can escape from the cage on feed times.
Any other questions feel free to pm me as I for one loved my time with my chameleon and wouldn't hesitate to get another one if I didn't travel as much

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Red Slinger

Some lizards, such as leopard geckos and box tortoises, make very good, low-maintenance pets. I find lizards and snakes to be more of a novelty pet though. In general, lizards don't have a sense of humour and, as such, are less 'fun'.

Ummm.....wrong species.

[dissentowner]

I have had and bred just about every lizard you can think of. Bearded dragons are generally very tame and can be handled easily, good starter lizard. Chameleons are cool but involve a lot of work to keep alive. You will need a vertical cage with mesh sides because they need plenty of ventilation. They also need a drip water system, you can't just stick a water dish in there. They need a good misting at least 3 times a day and lots of sunlight which you can simulate through a heat light that has a vitamin coating. Of course they need higher temps as well. If you do go chameleon don't go veiled, they are cheaper but tend to be aggressive and don't change colour a whole lot. Go Panther for sure.
Gecko's are easy to look after but most are night time creatures and will stay hidden all the time until feeding time. Go Giant Day Gecko if you are going gecko. Iguana's used to be the rage but they get pretty damn big and they tend to carry an attitude. If you are going iguana then adopt one as there are so many that have been bought and abandoned. You could always go big and go White Throat Monitor! No, don't do that,lol. If you have an questions about any kind of snake, lizard, amphibian, tortoise, turtle, tarantula, or salt water tank animal feel free to pm me.