What do I need to take care of a reptile(more specifically, lizard)? Tell me EVERYTHING I need.?

Question

Sorry, I don't know the species. Just tell me the basics of reptiles-caretaking then.

Answer 1

http://www.anapsid.org/mainlizards.html

Answer 2

Oh, for crying out loud. We are not going to re-write or cut and paste a whole book for you. Try the library or any of a thousand good lizard-keeping sites.

While I am glad you are doing homework first, I am rather disturbed by the idea you would troll for info like that in a place like this where bad info is at least as common as good stuff.

Without getting detailed, the basics you need to know are:

1. Reptiles, especially lizards, are NOT easy pets. They all need a moderatly expensive set-up, some good technical knowledge, and a willingness to deal with animals that most pet shop people and vets cannot help with.

2. You must provide a complete habitat for the lizard, according to its needs. This means you need to find a way to provide the right heat, humidity, fresh air supply, lighting (including UV-B), basking sites, hiding sites, diet, suppliments, and so forth that the lizard needs.

The set-up will often cost you over $100 by the time it is all done.

3. Most reptiles are stressed badly be being handled, by the wrong temperatures, soiled cages, wrong diet, bad lighting, etc. Most reptiles will die very prematurely- often with no warning. For example- about 75% of baby red-ear sliders will die within 6 months when they can easily live 20 years.

4. Probably the best starter lizard is the Bearded dragon. Probably the WORST choice for a beginner (but a popular one to buy) is the iguana. Some small lizards (American anoles, some geckos, etc.) are OK as well.

So... my advice:
a- stop by a good pet shop and start pricing out lizards and supplies- but do not buy anything yet!

b- go to the library, bookstore, Internet, or pet shop and get at least 2 different different books (or articles, etc.) about the lizards you are most interested in.

c- Once you have narrowed it down to one or two species- research them aggressively.

d- Buy the set-up and get things ready. Give the new set-up a chance to settle in- let the smells out, give the dust a chance to settle, give the heaters and lights a good work out to test them out, etc.

e- NOW buy the animal and have fun!

Answer 3

There is no basics when it comes to lizard care. Some need hotter temps than others. This can be achieved with an overhead lamp or undertank heater. NEVER use a heating pad in the cage, or heat rock. Both can cause serious burns or death to a reptile.
Some need UVB lighting some don't. Some will eat vegetables only, others will only eat bugs (crickets, mealworms, etc)Some need both vegetables and bugs. Some will eat mice. We have one that eats rabbits. There are lizards that are the size of your finger and some that can get up to 7 feet long. Obviously the care is going to be extremely different for each.
While one type of lizard can do great in an aquarium for its entire life with a small bowl of water, some will need an 8 foot or larger cage when full grown with a water bowl larger enough to submerge itself.

If you have some ideas on lizard types that you are looking at or are interested in, I would be glad to help you out with what you would need.

Good Luck!

Answer 4

Knowing how large your lizard will reach is important. You will need an aquarium that he can grow into. A bearded dragon for example can grow to 24 inches.

There are several supplies you will need to purchase. A tight fitting screen for the top of the aquarium will keep your lizard safe from harm and allow fresh air to circulate. A heating pad, placed under a plastic turf mat, in the bottom of the aquarium will keep him warm. A thermometer should be used to check the temperature of the aquarium. A long fluorescent light bulb will be needed to give off ultraviolet light like the sun. This light makes the lizard hungry and helps in digestion.

Lizards need a humid habitat. Humidity is how much water is in the air. A spray bottle of water is an easy way to mist the tank. With a bearded dragon every couple of days should be enough.

Lizards like to bask. A branch or driftwood will work well. Plastic plants and empty paper towel rolls are fun for him to hide in. Most bearded dragons are gentle. They like to be petted and soak in a little warm water in a sink or tub.

Diets may be vary depending on the kind of lizard you have. A bearded dragon eats crickets, grasshoppers, mealworms and earthworms. They also eat green leafy vegetables but no iceberg lettuce. Small pieces tomatoes, apples, pears, grapes, oranges, cooked potatoes, melon, peas, and strawberries can be added to their diet. Carrots should be grated. You also can add powdered vitamins and minerals to their food. This should only be once or twice a week.

Taking care of a lizard takes less time than a cat, dog ,or even fish.

The aquarium should be cleaned once a week. Remove the lizard before cleaning its tank. Keep a watchful eye on the lizard if he is loose. Some lizards will sit on your shoulder while you clean his tank. A rag and warm soapy water works good for cleaning the tank and turf. Rinse and dry everything before putting your lizard back in the tank.

If your lizard’s aquarium is set up right, he’ll probably stay healthy. A bad diet, dirty tank, a temperature that is too cold or too hot, and stress from too much handling can make a lizard very sick.

If you spend a lot of time with your lizard you can usually tell when something is wrong. If you notice anything different about your lizard, you should take him to an exotic veterinarian.

Have fun with your lizard!

Answer 5

If you don't know the species we can't help you. There are a lot of different lizards and they all need different things. Some eat bugs some eat veggies and fruits some eat both. They need different size and shaped enclosures different temperatures and humidity levels. Lizards and all reptiles for that matter are not easy to care for. Regardless of what other people might tell you. Everything has to be perfect for them to live in captivity. Bottom line if you don't know how to care for a pet. Don't get it.

Answer 6

There are no basics which hold for all lizards. It will depend *entirely* on the species you choose. Sorry! Please ask again when you're more sure of what type of lizard you are looking for. I believe you can find caresheets for different species on Petco and/or Petsmart's websites which may give you a clearer idea of what kind of lizard interests you.

Answer 7

It really depends on what species you get. They can need very different types of care. What works for one species might kill another. Go to www.anapsid.org and look up the different kinds of lizards and exactly what care they need.

Answer 8

a cage twice the length of the lizard, a heat lamp. if it is smaller like a gecko a heat rock (not a h eating mat the poor thing wont be able to get away from the heat when it needs to and itll die) appropriate ground covering... (i believe in no sand my gecko was impacted _stopped up- by sand and died) something that it can hide from the lamp from, depending on the lizard a dish it can soak its self in... and a food bowl... food and water gl

Answer 9

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Answer 10

large tank bark or sand bedding heating lamp
fruits vegetables if it likes them
pre made food and because u don't now what type it is the picture of the reptile will be on it OK and good luck with your new pet

Answer 11

it depends on the species, it would help if you told us what kind of lizard. here i found you some sites
http://exoticpets.about.com/od/lizardsaspets/a/lizardspets.htm
http://animal-world.com/encyclo/reptiles/information/reptilecare.htm

I suggest you figure out what type of lizard you want then researching them.