Your Reptile and Amphibian Resource and Information Site

Back to Collard Lizards Forum   Forums   Home   Members Area  

Collard Lizards Forum

Mama42   JackAsp   Mama42   JackAsp   Mama42   JackAsp   Mama42   JackAsp   Mama42  
 Member  Message

 #1527906


Mama42
View Profile

 What about Collards.....

hi. i am usually on the water dragon forum. tho, i really love reptiles and im constantly doing research on all different kinds, lizards in particular.

i was just wondering about these wonderful Collards. do they need a lot? what the normal size setup/ and what lighting do they require?

thanks a bunch :)
11/27/07  04:33pm

 #1529607


JackAsp
View Profile



   Message To: Mama42   In reference to Message Id: 1527906


 What about Collards.....

looks like my post got eaten. OK, I’ll try again. They don’t need a lot if you’re used to water dragons, but they certainly aren’t leopard geckos.

Sizewise, if you start with CB (I really suggest starting with a CB. I’ve MET the kind of people that catch them for the retail industry, and they aren’t "captured." They’re harvested. With all the respect and concern for injury that you would extend to an ear of corn. Not a good practice to encourage) that hasn’t been in anything larger, then a 40 breeder might do the job fine, but be ready to upgrade, because even for most CB a 70 or more is actually more realistic as adults. And if you have something larger, and they aren’t using the space, there’s something wrong, because these are VERY frisky animals. Like reptilian chipmunks or something.

Standard setup is a desert terrarium, not because they don’t live in other habitats but because with increased moisture comes health risks that you don’t need. They like low humidity and are one of the few lizards for which playsand is suggested. They need UVB, with brightly lit hot days and mild nights, and they like elevated basking areas such as rocks.

Probably the best site on them is Suncharmers.com. I haven’t had a collared since I was much younger, but got the urge for one again about a year ago. It didn’t happen this summer, but I think when the weather warms up enough for shipping to be safe the lady who runs that site is who I’m going to try to do business with. I can’t really afford to properly establish another pet anyway right now, but hopefully by spring my bank account will have healed from the trauma of setting up the terrapin I got in September.



11/29/07  12:07am

 #1529656


Mama42
View Profile



   Message To: JackAsp   In reference to Message Id: 1529607


 What about Collards.....

ok. thank you. good info, btw. i did, tho read thru some of the other posts (after i posted this lol) as well. i think i came across yours, hmm.

i do own a water dragon, but i am so caught up with him right now, so i dont think ill be getting one soon. just thought id research. i am having a hard time on deciding the right lizard for me. another water dragon would not be a good idea cause of the cage size. im thinking i might be better off with a Leo, tho, because of the small cage size and the low mainenance/cost involved.

i do love and have always been interested in collards, plus i found one at the pet store for only $14. is that the norm? i thought it was cheap for a lizard, especially since ive never seen one before here in Cali except for this one.

thanks for the info on them..and so fast. ill be back here if i get one. tho, i dont find this forum very lively lol. M-
11/29/07  01:39am

 #1529693


JackAsp
View Profile



   Message To: Mama42   In reference to Message Id: 1529656


 What about Collards.....

Yeah, the wild caught ones are as cheap as dirt and treated just like it. I’m always tempted to rescue one, but... supply and demand.
It seems weird giving a little tiny lizard such a big cage, although four times their length isn’t actually "OMG, how can an animal possibly use all that space?" gigantic. I’ve got room for one more large cage, and maybe a few more moderate ones, but probably just the one large, since animals in moderate cages have a tendency to wind up in larger ones than expected.

Leopard or fat-tailed geckos aren’t bad for an easier lizard. Leopard geckos are sort of collared lizards on Thorazine. They even have similar heads. I think I’d like them a lot more if I hadn’t actually had a collared to compare. Skinks aren’t bad either, unless you get something unnecessarily exotic or delicate. Go with a nice medium-sized insectivore and you can rig up a cheap, roomy tub setup for it pretty easily. I wouldn’t try a tub with a collared. The wattage they require would probably melt the sides.
11/29/07  02:29am

 #1530762


Mama42
View Profile



   Message To: JackAsp   In reference to Message Id: 1529693


 What about Collards.....

thanks. yeah, i think being in a pet store, its probably not that healthy, tho it is a reptile store (dont know if that makes any diff lol). the guy said he had a few and a few other lizards, as well. i think a skink, a savana monitor, some beardies, leos...

im thinking more about the Leo all the time. tho, it wouldnt be til after the 1st of the year. can you use a tub for a leo?? like the sterlite/tupperware type?? tho, i can get a 10 gallon at walmart for $10. and then the setup, of course... ive researched leos more than any other, except for water dragons and Iguanas. i so want an igg, but im afraid he might eat me. same with the monitor (the eating me part...)

i have thought about anoles. they are neat. but, not too handleable, just cute! and cheap lol. fat-tails are cool. golden geckos are sweet! but, not handleable. i would like something i can hold. thats why im thinking--Leo. my water dragon doesnt seem to like me or doesnt like to be held. either way, i cant set him on my shoulder and watch tv. beardies, you can do that as well, but they eat like 100 crickets a day!!!

well, im rambling again, so thanks for your input....M-
11/30/07  04:18am

 #1531848


JackAsp
View Profile



   Message To: Mama42   In reference to Message Id: 1530762


 What about Collards.....

Tubs are actually preferable to tanks for leos. Better floor space to volume ratio, and lower lids help them feel more secure. UV isn’t even an issue with them, but if you want to be paranoid you can always just solder a bunch of holes in the lid and sit a strip light on it like I do with my skink. Me, I’m holding out for a collared though. You’ve already got a nice frisky basking lizard. Mine’s active, but she’s more sneaky and slinky and crepuscular; I want something i can see climb up and down rocks and run around all day, and of the really active basking lizards I don’t think there’s anything quite as cute as a collared.
12/01/07  02:08am

 #1531879


Mama42
View Profile



   Message To: JackAsp   In reference to Message Id: 1531848


 What about Collards.....

yeah, your skinks are real cute lol. real active, eh.. water dragons are not ative at all. they are a basker, thats it! real lazy. and very fragile, too. once down, they are hard to get back. lots of vet visits for them and stress is there middle name. of course i didnt know that when i got mine, but i wouldnt give him up for the world. hes my baby!! but, im thinking i still need more reps.
this is definately an addiction!
12/01/07  03:45am

 #1533126


JackAsp
View Profile



   Message To: Mama42   In reference to Message Id: 1531879


 What about Collards.....

Huh. I always though water dragons acted more like iguanas, running up and down stuff all day. I’ve never had a WD though.
12/02/07  01:56am

 #1533455


Mama42
View Profile



   Message To: JackAsp   In reference to Message Id: 1533126


 What about Collards.....

no. theyre kinda lazy. and real skittish too. mines a big scaredy cat lol.
12/02/07  01:48pm


Back to Collard Lizards Forum   Forums   Home   Members Area