Lizards are popular pets and easy to care for. Although each lizard will require its own specific care, you can follow these general care guidelines.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Creating the Right Habitat
Step 1. Learn what type of cage your lizard needs
The type of enclosure will be determined by the type of lizard you have. Lizards need to be kept in a certain temperature range. If the temperature in your home drops dramatically in winter, you should provide a tank with an efficient thermal setting to keep the lizards warm without increasing the cost of your electricity bill. You'll need to control the temperature and humidity in the cage for certain lizard species. In addition, you must also be able to provide the necessary lighting and space for the lizard.
- Make sure the cage is secure so the lizards can't escape.
- The cage that is commonly used is the aquarium type with a filter at the top. Small gecko lizards (gecko) will be suitable for this type of cage. For a leopard gecko, you will need a 75.7 liter aquarium or terrarium.
- Another option is a plastic cage. Bearded dragons will do well in this type of cage, although the ideal tank for them is a vivarium made of a heat-insulating material such as wood with a glass front. Aquariums have inefficient thermal settings, and as a result, the temperature inside can become too hot. The bearded dragon lizard will need a 208.2 liter aquarium. If you choose to use a plastic cage, the minimum size is 61 cm × 122 cm × 61 cm.
- The third option is a wire cage. Chameleons tend to like this type of cage because it allows them to climb. Therefore, the chameleon's cage must have higher walls compared to the cage for other lizards.
Step 2. Determine the temperature required by the lizard
Most reptiles need a heating lamp to get to the right temperature. However, different lamps and bulbs will produce different amounts of heat, and as such, you should choose a lamp that matches the temperature your lizard needs.
- Go to a pet store and ask for the optimum temperature your lizard needs. For example, most lizards require temperatures between 32 and 38 degrees Celsius.
- Lizards also need a cool part of the enclosure; therefore, it is enough to apply heat to only one side. The other side should be left at a temperature between 21 to 24 degrees Celsius.
- Check the temperature using a thermometer. Check the height of the cage your lizard can climb, and make sure it's not too hot for the lizard.
- Turn off heating lights at night. If your lizard still needs warmth, use a ceramic heater.
Step 3. Give the lizard some lighting
Most lizards need light to function. Therefore, provide UVA and UVB lamps and turn them on during the day for approximately twelve hours.
- Buy a spotlight. Your cage should have an area for the lizards to bask in. If you already have a spotlight, simply add a UVB light to give your lizard the full spectrum of light it needs. UVA light will be obtained from sunbathing lamps.
- Put the lights on the cage; position it close enough to provide heat effectively. However, also make sure your lizard can't reach it. If your lizard touches the lamp, its scales will burn. Check the lamp you purchased for the specifications it requires.
- Create a barrier. In addition to a place to get light and bask, lizards also need a darker area. Use barriers to separate the cooler parts of the cage from the hot ones.
- Turn off the lights at night. Just like humans, reptiles also need darkness at night. Use the timer to turn the lights off and on automatically when needed.
Step 4. Provide a place to hide
Most lizards like to hide. Therefore, provide a place in the cage for them to hide, such as rocks and small pieces of wood.
- Put at least one hiding place in a cool part of the cage.
- If you are using stones from outdoors, clean and sterilize them with boiled water before placing them in the cage. You can also clean and warm the branches in the oven at 120 degrees Celsius for 30 minutes to kill germs and bacteria.
- Wooden branches are also important for some species such as chameleons as a means of climbing.
Step 5. Do not provide bedding
Do not put grains of sand or other bedding in the cage as the lizards can eat them and get sick from them. However, also check your lizard breed to determine if it needs bedding or not.
- You can use a piece of parchment paper as the edge of the cage. Baking paper can be used because it does not hang ink that can poison lizards. Another type of paper is unprinted newsprint; You can buy it from a house moving company.
- Some lizards love to dig burrows. For that, if needed, use new playground sand.
Part 2 of 3: Providing Food and Drink
Step 1. Provide drinking water regularly
Each lizard will need a different type of drinking water container. For example, some types of lizards will suit small bowls, while others will require a drip water system. For example, chameleons can't drink from small bowls, and so you'll need to install a drip water system for them.
- You can contact your pet store or veterinarian to find out which container of drinking water is best for your lizard.
- Make sure you change the water every day, especially if your lizard uses a small bowl as a water container.
- Since some types of lizards like to swim, you will need to provide a large enough water area.
Step 2. Dew your lizard
Certain types of lizards will have to be condensed once per day. You can use a spray bottle that has a condensing tip. The dew will help create the moisture your lizard needs.
For example, bearded lizards do not need to be condensed; on the contrary, iguanas need
Step 3. Provide proper food
Most lizards like to eat insects alive. Crickets are a widely used food ingredient and can be supplemented with reptile food supplements. In addition, roof caterpillars, hongkong caterpillars, and cockroaches are also often used. Many lizard owners have small colonies of crickets or cockroaches to serve as food for this purpose. Some lizards are carnivores, while some are omnivores or herbivores.
- If you keep live crickets, one-fifth of their diet should consist of calcium carbonate, and be given at least two days before the crickets are given to the lizard. Four-fifths can consist of regular cricket food.
- In addition to insects, carnivorous lizards will also eat smaller lizards or even frogs if their bodies are large enough. You can also give him small mice, fish, shellfish, or chicks. The leopard gecko, for example, is a carnivorous lizard that eats crickets and Hong Kong caterpillars.
- You can catch insects in a nearby grassy field using a net. However, you must ensure that the field is not sprayed with insecticide.
- Some types of lizards are omnivores that eat plants such as dandelions, clover, and fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, pears, apples, and lettuce. This type of lizard will also eat small insects such as hongkong caterpillars, snails, or even dog food (mixed with water if it is too dry). Bearded dragons are omnivorous lizards that can survive by eating only plants such as cabbage, lettuce, and pumpkin, or hongkong caterpillars, grasshoppers, and other insects.
- Most omnivores and carnivores will only need food two to three times a week. However, small or young reptiles will need more food. The amount of food needed by a lizard will vary according to its body size.
- Some types of lizards are herbivores, eating plants. Iguanas are one of them. This type of lizard can eat leaves, fruits, and vegetables and must be fed every day.
- The food given should be the same size as the length and width of the lizard's head to prevent it from choking. Also, you should put the lizard's food on a small plate, especially if there is sand in the tank.
Part 3 of 3: Giving Care
Step 1. Take your lizard to the vet
You should take your pet to the vet as soon as you bring him home to make sure he is in good health. As with other animals, you should also check your lizard to the doctor once per year on a regular basis.
Most lizards must undergo deworming at least once. Consult with your doctor about this
Step 2. Watch for signs of disease
Watery stools are a symptom of disease, especially if the condition persists for more than 48 hours. If you find it, consult a veterinarian. In addition, not urinating is also a sign of disease.
- Loss of weight indicates that your lizard is not eating or drinking, indicating an illness, so you should consult a veterinarian.
- Other signs include a runny nose, eyes, or mouth, swollen joints, difficulty shedding skin, discolored scales, or avoiding open spaces.
Step 3. Quarantine the new lizards
Newly brought home lizards should be kept in separate cages for at least a month. This way, any disease that may be present on the lizard will not be transmitted to your other lizards.
Always feed, drink, and clean the cage of a quarantined lizard after you have taken care of other lizards to prevent infection
Step 4. Clean the cage
You should do a thorough cage cleaning once per week. However, you should also check the cage daily to remove uneaten food, molting debris, and debris, as well as clean up spilled food, dishes, and water containers.
- Place the reptile in a clean cage or other box while you clean the cage once a week.
- Put on gloves. Get them all out of the cage. Remove any edges, sand, or bedding from it.
- Clean and sterilize water and food containers. Wash with soap in warm water. Use a disinfectant afterwards; make sure you rinse it completely before drying.
- Wash the cage. You should do this outdoors. Use hot water and soap to brush the cage. You can use a toothbrush if needed. In the same way, wash the decorations in the cage as well.
- Use disinfectant for the cage. You can purchase a disinfectant made especially for reptile cages to protect your lizards. After that, make sure you rinse it thoroughly too.
- Put new mat or sand in it. Dry the cage thoroughly. If the items in the cage don't dry out easily, you'll need to replace them from time to time.
- Separate the cleaning tools you use for your lizard cage from other cleaning tools. Make sure you wash it well after use. Don't forget to clean your hands too.
Step 5. Provide stimulation
Put items in the cage to entertain the lizards. Examples: rocks, tree branches, holes, or plants. Adjust to the type of lizard you have. You can also include live prey for the lizards, or you can hide food for the lizards in the cage to keep them active.
