Top 5 Popular Lizards: Care and Characteristics Guide

Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps)

For those wanting an excellent and unusual family pet, the bearded dragon remains the top choice. Often called 'beardies,' these spiky creatures are surprisingly docile, inquisitive, and often comical, making them wonderful companions for families, including those with children.

Bearded dragons originate from Australia and grow to around 12-16 inches long. Males are larger and show off by bobbing their heads and puffing their darkened ‘beards’ as a territorial display, while females typically communicate through gentle arm waves signalling submissiveness. These distinctive behaviours endear them to reptile enthusiasts and beginners alike.

As a diurnal species, beardies need full-spectrum UVB lighting and controlled heating to thrive. Males must be housed separately to prevent fighting, whereas females can cohabit peacefully if space and resources are ample. A well-furnished vivarium should be at least 4 feet long by 18 inches wide and deep, mimicking their arid habitat with rocks and branches.

Their diet includes a mix of live insects like crickets and mealworms, alongside leafy greens and fruits. Nutritional supplements with calcium are essential to prevent metabolic bone disease. Bearded dragons now come in many beautiful colour morphs, including citrus yellow and rich blood red, and with proper care, can live up to 12 years.

Leopard Gecko (Eublepharis macularius)

Leopard geckos are among the earliest reptiles widely bred in captivity and a superb choice for beginners, especially responsible older children. Their soft skin is patterned with yellow, orange, and black, making each gecko uniquely attractive.

Growing from 5 to 8 inches, leopard geckos have moveable eyelids—uncommon among geckos—and use a remarkable defence called autotomy, where they drop their tail to escape predators. The tail can regenerate, although the new growth differs slightly in appearance.

Leopard geckos are nocturnal and require moderate UVB. Their diet is strictly insectivorous, requiring gut-loaded crickets and waxworms dusted with calcium and vitamins. They thrive either singly or in small mixed groups with caution to prevent male aggression. Enclosures need secure hiding spots and a moist hide with damp sphagnum moss to aid shedding.

Leopard geckos have hundreds of colour morphs available, captivating enthusiasts at reptile shows and breeders’ clubs.

Crested Gecko (Rhacodactylus cilliatus)

The crested gecko, or ‘crestie,’ has grown popular due to its straightforward care and charming appearance. Named for the soft crests along their head and flanks, they have velvety skin and extraordinary climbing abilities thanks to specialized toe pads.

Mostly nocturnal, cresties prefer vertical enclosures with ample branches and plants for climbing and hiding. Adult vivariums should be at least 18 inches wide, deep, and 24 inches tall, reflecting their arboreal nature.

Notably, crested geckos can change colour based on mood and temperature, displaying vivid orange and red hues at night or when excited. They can thrive on commercial fruit-based powdered diets, reducing the need for live insects, though many keepers supplement with occasional live or mashed fruit treats.

These geckos require daily misting to replicate their rainforest environment’s humidity, drinking water droplets rather than from bowls. Handling them gently is crucial as their delicate skin can tear and they cannot regenerate lost tails. Crested geckos come in many attractive morphs, including flame, tiger, and dalmatian-spotted.

Red Spiny Tailed Dwarf Monitor (Varanus acanthurus acanthurus)

The red spiny tailed dwarf monitor, or 'red ackie,' offers a compact, intelligent, and highly interactive reptile experience. These monitors, native to Australia but now bred in captivity in Europe, reach about 18 inches in length and feature striking red, brown, and copper markings.

Buyers must ensure they acquire genuine red ackies, as the closely related yellow ackie subspecies is often mistaken for them but is smaller and paler. Red ackies require spacious, enriched enclosures with places to climb, explore, and dig, as they are active and inquisitive animals.

Providing a hot basking area, ample hydration with a large water bowl for soaking, and a robust diet primarily of live insects is key to thriving ackies. Although young may be shy, regular gentle handling helps tame these monitors, making them suitable pets for older children and adults willing to commit to their care.

Yemen Chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus)

Yemen chameleons were once considered difficult to maintain, but advances in husbandry and specialist enclosures have made them more accessible for keepers with some experience. Originating from the humid forests of Yemen and Saudi Arabia, they grow up to 22 inches (males) and 15 inches (females).

Sexual dimorphism is clear, with males sporting bright green colourations and a distinctive casque on the head, whereas females express paler greens and tans. Known for their colour-changing ability to reflect mood and temperature, healthy chameleons display vibrant breeding colours and darker stressed tones.

Yemens need well-ventilated arboreal mesh enclosures rich with branches and non-toxic plants such as ficus to provide humidity and hiding places. They require constant access to moving water via mist or drip systems for hydration, as they rarely drink from standing water. Although not very interactive and prone to stress, handling should be limited and carefully done to avoid injury.

Their unique zygodactylous feet and coiling tail make them strong climbers, and their specialised care should be undertaken with dedication to their health and wellbeing.

Responsible owner education on enclosure setups, diets, hydration, and gentle handling will ensure these captivating reptiles thrive in their new homes.