One of the best attributes of having a lizard as a pet at home is the diversity of this animal. Caring for pet lizards can be one of the most unique experiences a pet lover can have. These reptiles are very distinctive animals with specific needs and functions.

Knowing all these peculiarities, you can help your pet lizard enjoy good health and well-being. Lizard care can be a daunting experience, but it is rewarding. Here are 7 tips on how to provide the best care for your pet lizards at home:

Tip #1: If you want to have a pet lizard in your home, start by getting a lizard that is very easy to care for. The Australian bearded dragon is one of the best lizards to deal with. Blue-tongued skinks can grow up to 13 inches in size. This type of reptile can withstand stress as long as it is handled properly. These lizards are tame and eat various types of food including vegetables, fruits, insects, and small mice.

Tip #2 – If you are not very experienced, you are better off avoiding the lizard species, which are quite difficult and challenging to keep. Species to avoid include Nile monitors, iguanas, chameleons, and small species that are around 3 to 8 inches long.

Tip #3: Before you get a pet lizard, try to learn more about the species that might suit your needs. In this way, you will be able to assess how easy or challenging it would be to have that species of lizard in your home.

Tip #4: Keep in mind that snakes and lizards are fairly related groups of animals, but having a lizard in your home and the care it needs is totally different. Lizards would prefer to eat every day unlike snakes which require food once a week or month. Always keep the terrarium where you keep your lizards free from rotten and dirty food. Germs and bacteria can contaminate the environment and lizards can get sick.

Tip #5: Never hold or grab your pet lizard by the tail. Although its tail won’t break off, it could be a very awkward position when you’re trying to interact with your lizard. The lizard should be properly supported by placing one hand under the belly area to support the full weight of the lizard.

Tip #6: A lot of people aren’t comfortable around reptiles, so avoid using lizards to prank someone. You should carefully introduce your lizard to people and educate them about how wonderful these reptiles are.

Tip #7: Avoid releasing your reptile into the wild. Keep in mind that most of these pets are not used to their natural habitat. If you release your lizard into the wild, you should know that it may not survive. For example, diurnal lizards need ultraviolet light in order to maintain a temperature of 78 degrees F.