Pet Lizard Care Guide

Terrarium setup

• Adults need a minimum 120 x 60 x 60 cm (4 x 2 x 2 ft) enclosure; bigger is always better
• Use a substrate that's safe if ingested in small amounts — reptile carpet or paper towel for juveniles, tile or sand mats for adults
• Include basking branches, rocks, and hides so the lizard can thermoregulate and feel secure
• Keep humidity moderate and stable (30–40% for desert species like bearded dragons); use a hygrometer, not guesswork
• Clean the enclosure weekly and fully disinfect it monthly

UVB lighting & heat gradient

• Provide a UVB bulb rated for reptiles, replaced every 6–12 months even if it still lights up — UVB output fades before visible light does
• Position UVB within the manufacturer's recommended distance from the basking spot, no glass or plastic between bulb and lizard
• Create a temperature gradient: a basking spot around 38–42°C and a cool end around 24–27°C
• Run lights on a consistent 12-hour day/night cycle using a timer
• Use a digital thermometer at both ends of the enclosure — thermostat dials are unreliable on their own

Diet & feeding

• Juveniles eat mostly gut-loaded, dusted insects (crickets, dubia roaches) daily
• Adults shift toward 70–80% leafy greens and vegetables, with insects a few times a week
• Dust insects with calcium powder most feedings, and a calcium+D3 or multivitamin powder weekly
• Avoid iceberg lettuce, avocado, and rhubarb — low nutrition or toxic
• Provide a shallow water dish and mist occasionally; most hydration comes from food

Handling & temperament

• Let a new lizard settle into its enclosure for at least a week before regular handling
• Support the body fully rather than gripping — lizards can drop their tails when stressed
• Short, calm handling sessions build trust better than long ones
• Darkened beard and open-mouth posture can signal stress or territorial display, not necessarily aggression
• Wash hands before and after handling — reptiles can carry salmonella

Health & common problems

• Metabolic bone disease from inadequate UVB or calcium shows as soft jaw, tremors, or difficulty moving — see an exotics vet promptly
• Impaction from loose substrate ingestion causes lethargy and appetite loss
• Watch for stuck shed around toes and tail tip, which can cut off circulation if not removed
• A healthy lizard is alert, has clear eyes, and maintains steady weight — find a reptile-experienced vet before you need one

Frequently asked questions