Living in the desert Southwest, we often see lizards when we are outdoors. We have seen lizards sunning on the rocks in our front yard, zipping across our driveway, and crawling up the brick wall that surrounds our backyard. Our dog has even caught a couple in our garage. I know because he brought me the tail of one not that long ago.

My husband keeps mentioning that he thinks it would be fun to have a lizard as a pet. Why he wants one, I don’t know. But, since I got my finches, if he wants a lizard, I guess he can have one. Every time he sees one outside, he mentions that he’d like one. I told him if he can catch one, he can have it. So far, they have been faster than he is.

There are many types and sizes of lizards. If we get one, it will be one of the smaller types, such as anole lizards, geckos, or chameleons.  The larger types include bearded dragons and iguanas.  

If you’ve never had a lizard as a pet, it’s best to start out with one that is easy to maintain.  Some types of geckos are good starter lizards.  A common lizard sold in pet stores is the green anole, which is very small and won’t take up much space.

There are some things to know before you consider a lizard for a pet. It’s best to get a lizard from a pet store or a breeder than it is to catch one in the wild. Wild lizards are more apt to carry parasites and other diseases than captive lizards. According to the Center for Disease Control, up to 90 percent of all reptiles carry the Salmonella bacteria.  This includes wild and tame lizards. Because of this, lizards and other reptiles are not recommended as pets for young children unless you keep the children and the reptiles separated.  You can prevent salmonella poisoning from reptiles by thoroughly washing your hands after contact with your reptiles.  You also should not wash their cage or dishes anywhere there is food preparation.

If you decide to get a lizard, do your research.  If you are interested in a certain type of lizard, read to see how big it will get, its life span, and if it has any special needs. These facts may help determine which type of lizard is right for you. Make sure the tank you use is large enough for your lizard’s maximum size. If you don’t purchase the biggest tank needed initially, you’ll wind up getting several different size tanks as your lizard grows.   

Provide your lizard with plenty of rocks and branches for climbing and hiding. Plants also provide needed camouflage.  Some lizards require special lighting to keep it warm. They love to bask in the sun, and proper lighting will make your lizard feel right at home.