A total of 4.5 million households own reptiles or pet lizards.
Lizards are extremely diverse, with more than 4,000 species. Many are excellent pets for children.
Some of the most effective beginning lizards are Bearded Dragons as well as Leopard Geckos.
Proper husbandry and regular food schedules are essential to keep any reptile happy and healthy. Unfortunately, the amount of care required by lizards is not always assumed to be routine and errors could be made.
Check out our top 10 mistakes to avoid and how to avoid these mistakes…
10: Using a loose Substrate
Gastro-intestinal insufficiency is possible, yet a major and frequent issue for Lizards.
Impaction occurs when lizards consume or consume their food. The food is then caught in their stomachs and could cause myriad of health issues such as blockage and the feeling of starvation.
To treat impaction in your lizard is likely to require special surgery.
Luckily, this issue is easily avoided by choosing the right substrate for Lizards.
Gastro-intestinal impaction can be result of loose substratum. The use of any of these substrates within their enclosure is generally not a good option:
- Sand.
- The ground walnut shells.
- Wood shavings.
- Alfalfa pellets.
Your lizard could be tempted to eat a piece of substrate while trying to eat food..
Another reason for impaction can be the general lack of stimulation for your pet, leading to boredom. If your enclosure for your lizard does not include enrichment (e.g. plants and hiding holes) and is too small, they could be tempted to eat substrate. This can be avoided in the event that you allow them to hunt in search of food and provide the necessary nutrients.
In both of the above examples, the substance will accumulate within their gut over time.
The most effective way to prevent impaction is to avoid using any loose substrate inside their enclosure.
It is better to choose substrates that are smaller or are less likely to be eaten. For novices, the best options are reptile carpet, tile or newspapers. They are safer for your pet’s reptile and simple to wash.
9: Inconsistent Cleaning Routines
One of the most common mistakes novices make is not cleaning their enclosure for lizards properly.
But, it is also possible to cleanse their environment excessively.
If you keep their enclosure clean excessively, your lizard will struggle to develop an immune system that is strong.
It’s the same with reverse. A dirty tank can cause pathogens to thrive in their enclosures, causing illnesses.
Reptiles are different in the frequency at which their tanks need to be deep-cleaned and, in general, they should be spot-cleaning every day. Deep cleaning should be completed each two-to four weeks based the lizard species. what species you are dealing with. the lizard (20 best pet lizards).
A checklist of cleaning and a plan is a good option for newbies.
Spot cleaning should be performed every day. Clean any feces or filthy substrata from your habitat and, if needed, add new substrate. Clean and refill all water dishes with fresh water , no matter whether it’s to be used for drinking or soaking.
Cleaning the lizard thoroughly will require more effort and you must move your lizard inside an enclosure that is temporary during drying and cleaning.
Begin by taking away all furniture and substrate. Remove the substrate and furnishings (except living plants) must be cleaned with hot water and soap. The tank must be cleaned using soap and hot water and left to dry.
Add a the new substrate as well as the clean furniture before putting your lizard back in!
8: Forgetting About The Vet
This is just one aspect of owning an animal friend which is often ignored by both experienced and novice herpetologists.
Similar to the cat or dog, lizards should have regular examinations in the vet.
It is also recommended to take them to the veterinarian if there are signs of illness, such as skin color changes, loss of appetite, weak standing or fatigue.
It is crucial that your lizard establish an understanding with the vet and you especially vets who specialize in exotics. They’ll be able give sensible pet care as well as medical care.
Many husbandry mistakes cannot be reversed completely with better husbandry.
Sometimes, a gastrointestinal problem or an infection could require an antibiotic that is not available for it yourself.
7: Mistake Affecting the Heating or Bulb Location
Lizards are cold-blooded animals. They are called ectotherms..
All animals that are cold-blooded depend heavily on their environment to keep their temperature in check.
Heating errors are frequent with pet lizards, and they can be more complex than the owner’s simple mistake of failing to provide a heat source.
- Put a light bulb within the range of your Lizard.
- Make a mistake when in setting up the heater bulb.
- Incorrectly taking the temperature.
- By using a gauge or strip thermometer instead.
- Don’t use thermometers with digital sensors.
An extremely common mistake made by beginners is to place a light bulb near your lizard’s reach. This increases the likelihood that your lizard could be burnt by the source of heat and result in serious skin injuries.
Beginning fisherman may also choose to utilize an gauge thermometer inside their tank.
The problem is that gauge thermometers can be extremely inaccurate, particularly for tanks that must have precise temperatures. The use of multiple digital thermometers is a better way to measure the temperature of the air in the tank as well as the temperature gradient.
It is also necessary to make use of a thermometer probe to determine the places to bask.
For areas of basking, the temperature of the surface is more crucial than air temperature. The basking area temperatures differ for every breed, however it is best to measure using a thermometer probe. Other thermometers measure the temperature of air not the temperature of the surface.
Also, if you’re using a heat mat make sure that the one you choose comes with a thermostat. Without a thermostat, it could be extremely difficult to attain and keep the temperature you want.
6: Thinking Lizards Are the Same
It’s very common in the reptile world that first-time owners forget to do their research.
It is important to take the time to study any lizard that you are planning to bring to your home.
A lizard is not an impulse purchase.
Many pet stores offer these as juveniles or hatchlings. Certain species are 10 times smaller than hatchlings than they are as adults. Baby owners who are new to the hobby may decide to purchase one and later regret the decision when the baby grows bigger than what they had hoped for.
Many owners also adopt lizards who have specific requirements for husbandry and specific housing requirements.
In the absence of money, time and expertise to properly care for them, the animals are often abandoned or even released illegally into the wild.
The simplest and most effective solution to this problem is to conduct your own study.
Lizards and different reptiles (20 most popular) require the same consideration and attention as other pet in the household. If you’re planning on getting one, you must begin by researching different species of lizards – they each have their own care and enclosure requirements.
Before buying a lizard you must know how to maintain them, which includes their specific size, furnishings and enclosure dimensions as well as temperature requirements as well as humidity levels as well as their diet and the length of time.
5: In Not Understanding UVB Rays
Some nocturnal animals don’t require UVB lighting and are perfectly healthy without it.
But, most species need UVB lighting to create Vitamin D. A lack of Vitamin D can lead to metabolic bone diseases.
Most owners are adept in giving an UVB light for their reptile companion. However, the errors tend to be made when purchasing the light.
UVB coils are more affordable than bulbs, however, they don’t provide the same UVB output. The absence of UVB can lead to metabolic bone diseases.
Larger UVB bulbs are more suitable for Lizards since they emit more UVB radiation than coils do.
Many people don’t realize that bulbs damage and wear. It is recommended that bulbs need to be replaced every 6 to 12 months.
4: Handling often
Lizards differ greatly in their capacity to withstand handling.
Certain species, like Leopard Geckos are highly social reptiles who like human contact and handling. But, there are numerous species of lizards such as the Anole (green anole) that are happiest in a natural environment, without any handling.
Many newbies make the mistake of handling their lizards too frequently or with too little. Lizards that are social should be able to enjoy at least one hour of interaction per day.
However, excessive handling of certain species can create stress, and may result in them having to shed its tail..
Most lizards must be held in open palms.
Monitors of greater size, for instance, are best handled by two hands.
There are some rules that novices don’t know when it comes to handling their pet lizards.
- Be gentle with your lizard and do not hold them by the legs or tail.
- Don’t put them on your head or in high places. Some lizards are jumpers
- Be aware of the Lizard’s behaviour and put on gloves if you must Some are known to bite!
- Do not handle any lizards in their initial few weeks within your home.
- Always be sure to supervise children when working with reptiles.
3: The Wrong Humidity Levels
The lizards are at their best in captivity as long as their enclosure is a recreation of their natural habitat (as leopard gecko habitat).
The majority of captive lizards originate from areas with particular levels of humidity.
Certain species are native to Australia and are prone to dry habitats. A lot occur in rainforests that are tropical and require extremely high levels of humidity.
If the humidity level isn’t maintained and controlled, it can cause health issues.
The majority of pet lizards thrive in high humidity. However, some species that thrive in low-humidity conditions can develop infections caused by fungal or bacterial bacteria if you keep them in humid environments.
It’s the same for reverse. Lizards become dehydrated when they have with humidity levels which are too low.
To avoid making this mistake, it is important to research the particular needs of your reptile . Also, keep an indicator of humidity in the aquarium. Some novices also prefer an automated misting mechganism (best reptile misting systems).
To maintain a low humidity level, put dish water on the cooler edge of the aquarium. Also, keep plants out of the enclosure. To increase the humidity, mist the tank regularly and keep the lizard’s food dish beneath a heating lamp.
If you want to mist the tank, make sure you do not make use of distilled water since some lizards absorb minerals from the water droplets.
2: wrong enclosure Size
Their terrarium, substrate, and furniture should be built and ready before you bring your lizard home.
Another mistake that is often made by pet lizards is the provision of an unsuitable enclosure or the terrarium.
Sometimes , beginners supply the wrong type of enclosure However, more often they make an enclosure that is not big enough.
When you purchase an enclosure, look into how large it needs to be.
As your lizard gets bigger, they’ll require a bigger enclosure. Do not be unprepared by having an enclosure that’s too small for a mature lizard.
Their Terrarium must include a variety of furniture options for your pet lizard. This could be live or fake plants, hiding areas such as rocks, logs, and a few logs. A majority, if certainly not all pets require this in order to feel secure and safe within their tanks.
The space must be properly constructed with proper lighting and heating.
1: Giving The False Diet
Many health problems stem from a poor diet.
The diet as well as the amount of food consumed differs between species.
Many novices are unaware of the extent to which lizards depend on their specific diet.
A lot of lizards are omnivores, and require both animals and plants. This usually is the case with fruits, vegetables as well as gut-loaded insects as well as small rodents.
An error that is common is for owners who confuse “eat a wide variety of foods” to be “feed one of these”.
Lizards require various foods to ensure an adequate diet.
Most lizards do not exclusively feed them crickets and carrots. The pet must also be fed diverse other invertebrates and veggies as well. Also, you should not feed any commercial diets.
Many of the most frequent ailments and illnesses result from an unhealthy diet.
Metabolic bone disease arises from a deficiency in calcium in your diet. The lizard will begin to become slow and sluggish.
Hypovitaminosis A is a separate health issue resulted from eating a poor diet as well as a deficiency in Vitamin A.
Both diseases are far simpler to prevent than to treat.
In the end it is a frequent issue due to owners who mistakenly feed their lizards treats or feed them more than they need.
Summary
Lizards require a proper enclosure, substrate, and diet. They also require regular husbandry.
There are many mistakes to be avoided while caring for lizards, but most of them stem from poor handling and can be easily avoided.
When you are bringing the lizard back home, ensure that the enclosure is installed and that you have done your research on the species.
Do you have any experience that you’d like to tell us about? Write us a note!
