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 #1547255


Joe smith
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 Neeed help to find a lizard plz help

i dont have that much mony but i want a lizard. i need one that is good for someone that hasnt had a lizard b4 and likes to be handled i red the other and saw that bluetunged skinks are good but how big do they get and are they inexpencive.



12/15/07  10:25am

 #1547347


JR1987
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   Message To: Joe smith   In reference to Message Id: 1547255


 Neeed help to find a lizard plz help

BT’s are very nice lizards, In the uk they cost about £100 ($200), They get to around 15-24" depending on species

Leopard geckos are exellent starter lizards, They are good for handling and are inexpensive.

Bearded dragons are also another great starter lizard
12/15/07  12:28pm

 #1547551


Reptililian Boy
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   Message To: JR1987   In reference to Message Id: 1547347


 Neeed help to find a lizard plz help

What are BT’s? All I can think of is Blue Tegu...
12/15/07  05:18pm

 #1547609


Adzi
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   Message To: Reptililian Boy   In reference to Message Id: 1547551


 Neeed help to find a lizard plz help

BT’s = Blue tongued skinks :)

My 1st lizard was a 4 month old feamle beardie and their great for a starter lizard.

I now have 4 beardies (2 small and a breeding pair) :)
12/15/07  06:21pm

 #1547700


789
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   Message To: Adzi   In reference to Message Id: 1547609


 Neeed help to find a lizard plz help

You forget he mentioned not having much money. A beardie costs a fortune to raise. Between the crickets and the big enclosures. I was spending $25 a week on crickets last summer. Buy roaches and get them going first if you’re getting a beardie.
12/15/07  08:33pm

 #1547717


GECKOGIRL22
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   Message To: 789   In reference to Message Id: 1547700


 Neeed help to find a lizard plz help

The leo (leopard gecko) is by far the cheapest starter, because BTs are a little bit bigger, so a more advanced set up. In American money, I spent about $180 on a 20 gallon set up with stand. It all depends, if you just made some plastic and flowerpot hides instead of buying expensive commercial hides, that would save a fortune, but I like natural looks. Although people always mention they are nocturnal, my leopard geckos are often out in the afternoon, and sometimes in the morning when they know we are going camping or on vacation (VERY smart creatures, they know it means bye when they get extra food) and like to be handled. If you live somewhere warm, you can take them outside for short periods in grassy areas where no pesticides are used- my little ones love to just walk around.

Hope you can decide, I would go with a BTS or leo (I might get a BTS soon for my second species, third lizard & herp!)



12/15/07  09:02pm

 #1550358


JackAsp
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   Message To: GECKOGIRL22   In reference to Message Id: 1547717


 Neeed help to find a lizard plz help

I suggest the leopard gecko. Really, the price tag of the lizard is nothing. It’s things like food and caging that get expensive. A leopard gecko doesn’t eat much and you can get a big clear plastic tub at Home Depot that gives it more room to wander around than any glass tank you can afford would. Seriously, if you’ve got room for a three or four foot cage, you can get one for twenty bucks, not that if you don’t the gecko actually needs it, I’m just using that as an example of how much you can save by not wasting money on glass. You can use paper for flooring, they eat well but not insanely, they need no ultraviolet or heat lamps, just a heat mat under on eend of the cage (the fact that they don’t like hot basking lights is why you can house them in plastic) and if you do end up hitting an emergency and having to spend more, any herp vet you see will already be very, very familiar with leopard geckos so the problem ought to be something they can solve quickly and cheaply instead of charging for tests up the wazoo while they guess like crazy.
Vegetarian lizards like iguanas are tempting for economic reasons, especially when you see babies on sale for twenty bucks, but believe me, they are not cheap. Lots of space, lots of expensive lighting, and lots of fresh groceries, whether they finish the old ones or not, are not features that I think you’re looking for.
12/18/07  05:13pm

 #1551288


Joe smith
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   Message To: JackAsp   In reference to Message Id: 1550358


 Neeed help to find a lizard plz help

could i use a heat rock for heat of will it burn them



12/19/07  07:35pm

 #1557766


Lizardmomma
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   Message To: Joe smith   In reference to Message Id: 1551288


 Neeed help to find a lizard plz help

IF you leave the rock completely uncovered they have been know to cause burns. What I have done to the one I have is wrap it up in an old sock a few times so the heat still penetrates, but is not overwhelming. This still allows for the heat to be used and not cause any burns.



12/27/07  03:21pm

 #1558080


Dagobert
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   Message To: Joe smith   In reference to Message Id: 1547255


 Neeed help to find a lizard plz help

If money is an issue, buying a lizard probably is not a good idea. Even the cheapest of lizards (which buying the cheapest lizard probably shouldn’t be your goal) will end up costing you a decent amount after putting together a proper setup (cage, lighting, etc). The you figure buying food regularly, replacing bulbs, buying bigger cages when they get larger.

It’s just not a cheap hobby.

Also, no lizard really likes to be handled. At least, not in the way your dog does. Some simply tolerate it more, ie bearded dragons, leopard geckos, blue tongue skinks, some of the plated lizards.
12/27/07  08:47pm

 #1559294


Sairhead21
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   Message To: Dagobert   In reference to Message Id: 1558080


 Neeed help to find a lizard plz help

Quote:

If money is an issue, buying a lizard probably is not a good idea. Even the cheapest of lizards (which buying the cheapest lizard probably shouldn’t be your goal) will end up costing you a decent amount after putting together a proper setup (cage, lighting, etc). The you figure buying food regularly, replacing bulbs, buying bigger cages when they get larger.


Not to mention potential vet bills. I’d wait until you were able to maintain an animal before you buy it.
Sarah
12/28/07  08:01pm


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