Looking for a larger lizard need ideas.
- Thread starter Jared T
- Start date
Very different options indeed.
Savannah monitor requires an 8' x 4' x 4' enclosure, fully sealed (no screens or vents) and with 2' of a sandy/soil mix in the bottom. If the cage isn't on a slab then you'd have to reinforce the floor beneath it like you would for a larger aquarium. A basking spot with a surface temperature between 130 and 150 is required. If you keep it hot, humid, and healthy it will not be a "handleable" pet per se. My sav is well trained but even without his feeding triggers he still contemplates removing pieces of me. He's absolutely fearless and will let me pick him up for short periods of time if need be but he would much prefer that I leave him alone unless I've got food. Speaking of food, it should be mostly invertebrate prey, with a very healthy debate on whether rodents should be fed, not fed, or fed sparingly. Bottom line, you're looking at a $20 lizard that needs a $400 cage and eats his purchase cost in food every week.
A blue tongue skink or beardie can live out it's days in a minimum of a 3' x 2' enclosure with enough space for a couple inches of substrate (or no substrate for a beardie). I've got my northern BTS in 4' x' 2' enclosures and they're doing well. BTS are fun lizards that tolerate handling fairly well. Diet is easy for both these guys, wet dog food (any brand not containing sodium tripolyphosphate) mixed with greens and occasional fruits for the BTS and crickets/roaches with greens for the beardies.
Savannah monitor requires an 8' x 4' x 4' enclosure, fully sealed (no screens or vents) and with 2' of a sandy/soil mix in the bottom. If the cage isn't on a slab then you'd have to reinforce the floor beneath it like you would for a larger aquarium. A basking spot with a surface temperature between 130 and 150 is required. If you keep it hot, humid, and healthy it will not be a "handleable" pet per se. My sav is well trained but even without his feeding triggers he still contemplates removing pieces of me. He's absolutely fearless and will let me pick him up for short periods of time if need be but he would much prefer that I leave him alone unless I've got food. Speaking of food, it should be mostly invertebrate prey, with a very healthy debate on whether rodents should be fed, not fed, or fed sparingly. Bottom line, you're looking at a $20 lizard that needs a $400 cage and eats his purchase cost in food every week.
A blue tongue skink or beardie can live out it's days in a minimum of a 3' x 2' enclosure with enough space for a couple inches of substrate (or no substrate for a beardie). I've got my northern BTS in 4' x' 2' enclosures and they're doing well. BTS are fun lizards that tolerate handling fairly well. Diet is easy for both these guys, wet dog food (any brand not containing sodium tripolyphosphate) mixed with greens and occasional fruits for the BTS and crickets/roaches with greens for the beardies.
I love my beardie. He runs all around his cage and is just a goof. Very friendly and easy to handle but he does eat alot of crickets. My husband isnt a fan of the crickets but it doesnt bother me.
Im also 'fostering' a BTS and while the food requirements are easier ive just never really been a fan. Shes very friendly and i can handle her with no problems but id take my BD anyday.(Too bad youre not closer as im looking to find her a home) =)
I think it really comes down to what you like more. BD or BTS will be much easier to take care of compared to a sav as ppl have pointed out.
Next up for me is a columbian tegu which may or may not be something youd wanna look into
Im also 'fostering' a BTS and while the food requirements are easier ive just never really been a fan. Shes very friendly and i can handle her with no problems but id take my BD anyday.(Too bad youre not closer as im looking to find her a home) =)
I think it really comes down to what you like more. BD or BTS will be much easier to take care of compared to a sav as ppl have pointed out.
Next up for me is a columbian tegu which may or may not be something youd wanna look into
I love my beardie. He runs all around his cage and is just a goof. Very friendly and easy to handle but he does eat alot of crickets. My husband isnt a fan of the crickets but it doesnt bother me.
Im also 'fostering' a BTS and while the food requirements are easier ive just never really been a fan. Shes very friendly and i can handle her with no problems but id take my BD anyday.(Too bad youre not closer as im looking to find her a home) =)
I think it really comes down to what you like more. BD or BTS will be much easier to take care of compared to a sav as ppl have pointed out.
Next up for me is a columbian tegu which may or may not be something youd wanna look into
Thank you I would deffinately take her off your hands if I were closer she sounds like an awesome beardie. I was actually going to get a beardie instead of a Leo but I figured I should start with something easy.
Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
Very well said. Post up some pictures of that beast, I love seeing healthy monitors.
