Why couldn’t they be asking for a hamster? You want to teach your child responsibility but a snake? You may be thinking we can’t have a pet snake. Snakes are dangerous.

I was the little boy asking my parents for a pet snake. Now 40 years later I have learned a thing or two about keeping snakes as pets. I still have a lot to learn so rather than rely only on my own experience I decided to do some research.

So, are pet snakes dangerous? Here’s what I found.

The majority of all snakes kept as pets pose very little to no threat of danger to their owners or their neighbors. Even if these snakes escaped, there would be no danger to the community. They are generally small, nonvenomous, and would likely die before they were ever seen. Some large constrictor pet snakes are dangerous, but you are more likely to die from a bee sting or dog attack than a large python.

Dangerous means “likely to cause harm or injury”.  So, anything that can cause you the slightest bit of harm is dangerous. Ants are dangerous because they can bite, sting, or spray formic acid on you. And it can hurt.

The question is, just how dangerous are pet snakes? And what degree of danger are you comfortable with?

How Dangerous Are Common Pet Snakes?

The term “pet snakes” is very general. There are many different species of snakes that are kept as pets. Each is a little bit different. Here are a few of the most popular pet snakes. All of these snakes are considered harmless to humans. Let’s take a closer look at each.

• Corn snake
• Kingsnake
• Milk snake
• Ball python
• Hognose snake

Corn Snake

Corn snakes are one of the most popular pet snakes. They were probably the most popular pet snake until the ball python craze really caught steam. They are calm, friendly, docile snakes that reach about 4-5 feet in length.

They rarely bite even if they feel threatened or are injured. Even when they do bite, the bite from a hatchling is so minimal you may not even know it’s happening. Bites from adults may draw a little blood like tiny little pinpricks.  

Kingsnake

Kingsnakes are one of the widest spread snakes in North America and have been popular pet snakes since before most of us were born. They average about 3-4 feet and are usually very docile and easy to handle. 

They also sometimes bite and probably more than any other snake on this list. This is usually because they are often hungry and mistake your hand for food. Especially if you smell like another snake or like something good to eat.  

The good thing is they are nonvenomous and their bite is considered one of the least problematic bites you can receive from a medium-sized snake.  This is true for all of the snakes on our list.

Milk Snake

Milk snakes are very popular pet snakes and have been for many years. They make great pet snakes, especially for beginners. They are easy to take care of, non-venomous, tame and easy to handle even for children.

Milk snakes usually don’t get much longer than 4 feet and are considered one of the safest pet snakes a person can own. Bites are rare and do very little damage if any.

Hognose Snake

Hognose snakes are often recommended for beginners. They are not very big averaging only about 2-3 feet in length, are very hardy, easy to handle, and easy to take care of.  These snakes are usually very tame and rarely bite but did you know that hognose snakes are actually venomous?

Yep, that’s right, a snake recommended for beginners is venomous. So why are they even sold as pets? Their venom is considered harmless to humans. So harmless in fact, that they are often listed as “nonvenomous”.

Ball Python

The ball python is by far one of the most popular, if not the most popular, pet snakes. Just the term “python” strikes fear into people’s hearts. Most people don’t realize there are 41 different species of python.  Some are large and some are small.

The ball python is a smaller sized constrictor that rarely gets longer than 5 feet. They can bite and sometimes do, but their bite is insignificant. They are typically very docile and easy to handle. When they are stressed for feel threatened, they usually just curl up into a “ball” and hide.

Fear of Snakes

Dr. Indiana Jones had ophidiophobia. A fear of snakes. This is a subcategory of herpetophobia which is the fear of reptiles. Of the top 10 phobias including social phobias, the fear of open spaces, fear of heights, and so forth, the fear of snakes is number 5.

According to the Verywell Mind, an online resource that provides guidance for mental health, researchers believe the fear of snakes is a learned fear rather an innate.

In other words, many people have an irrational fear of snakes though they don’t necessarily have ophidiophobia. They have been taught to fair snakes.

The fear of snakes is fairly common. This will probably never change but the media doesn’t help. They know that fear sells content and they try to capitalize on it as much as possible to increase their readership.

Snake related articles are therefore sensationalized to stoke those fears like pouring gasoline on a fire. Thus, the fear of snakes amplified lends itself to the belief that pet snakes are more dangerous than they actually are.

When it comes to pet snakes it seems the popular media would define “dangerous” as the very likely risk of serious injury or death. This is very far from the truth.

The majority of pet snakes are not very dangerous at all. The following video will help illustrate this point.

What Happens When Snakes Bite?

How Dangerous Are Snakes in General?

According to National Geographic, there are over 3,000 species of snakes on the planet. About 600 species are venomous, and only about 200 or 7% of them are able to kill or significantly wound a human.

According to the University of Florida, the odds of dying from a venomous snakebite are 1 in 50 million. In the United States, the odds are nearly zero because of the availability of quality medical care.

Nearly all snakes commonly kept as pets are nonvenomous or considered nonvenomous to humans. There are some very rare exceptions for individuals who have a special permit to keep venomous reptiles.

What Pet Snakes Are Dangerous?

While most pet snakes are not dangerous there are some that are. The most dangerous pet snakes are very large constrictor species such as green anacondas, reticulated pythons, and Burmese pythons. 

These snakes are also nonvenomous but can become very large and powerful. Unlike our bite video above a bite from a large constrictor can cause deep lacerations and easily send you to the hospital for stitches.  This doesn’t always happen but it can.

It’s also important to remember that large constrictors represent a very small percentage of all pet snakes. Relatively few people own them.

If you are thinking of buying a large snake as a pet and are wondering if they are dangerous the answer is yes.  Very large snakes are dangerous. 

Researchers say, between 1978 and 2009, large snakes killed 16 people in the United States. This is sobering. If you want to own a large snake you need to know that snake has the power to harm or even kill you. 

What About Other Dangerous Pets?

Let’s compare our data to a much more popular pet animal. Dogs. According to dogsbite.org between 2005 and 2018, dogs killed 471 Americans. Wow. If dogs where a neighboring country, we would surely be going to war.

I actually love dogs, (don’t tell my family) but that’s more than 30 people a year! Compare that to 16 people in 31 years for very large snakes.

Further research shows that around 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs every year, and between 6,000 to 13,000 of those result in hospitalizing. Dogs are dangerous. Perhaps more people should be afraid of dogs.

To be fair, if people owned very large snakes like people own dogs, then the number of snake related injuries and deaths would be higher.

Regardless, you are more likely to be injured by a dog than a pet snake.

More Dangerous Than Dogs and Snakes?

I developed a healthy, let’s call it respect, for bees when I was about 17 years old and was attacked by a swarm of yellow jackets. I received over 100 stings on my arms, shoulders, legs, and head. I was lucky I didn’t have a strong reaction to their stings.

It turns out that we don’t need to fear snakes and dogs nearly as much as we need to fear bees. According to the CDC, from 2000 to 2017, stings from bees and wasps were responsible for 1,109 deaths, or roughly 62 fatalities each year.

You are much more likely to die from a swarm of bees than a large pet snake. You are even more likely to die from an ant attack. (If you live in Africa). 

It turns out that ants are dangerous.  Ants kill 30 people per year. The fire ant and Siafu ants of Africa live in colonies of up to 20 million. Once they attack the colony swarms their prey.  

Most attacks that result in death are due to people falling asleep near an anthill. They die from anaphylactic shock due to countless ant bites.

Most Dangerous Creature on the Planet

There aren’t very many things that are as unnerving or annoying as the high-pitched buzzing of a mosquito in your ear.  The nearly invisible, flying, vampiric, insect whose sole intent is to literally suck your blood.  

Snakes, dogs, bees, and ants really aren’t very dangerous compared to mosquitos.

Mosquitos are the most dangerous creature on the planet – According to the World Health Organization, 1 million people die every year from mosquito bites. It’s not the actual bite that kills but what it can carry. Most of these deaths are due to malaria. 

Are Pet Snakes Dangerous?

So, are pet snakes dangerous? Though the fear of snakes is common, most pose little to no danger to their owners and those around them. They are wonderful, low maintenance pets, that are a joy to own and very safe to keep.

Some are dangerous, but not as dangerous as the media may lead people to believe. There are many other things all around you that are more dangerous than a pet snake. You are more likely to be injured by a dog or swarm of bees than pet snakes.  

Other Dangers

Speaking of other dangers. Here is a list of common things that are more dangerous that pet snakes. Some may surprise you.

• High School and College Football claim an average of 12 lives each year. We had to pull our son out of high school football due to a very severe concussion. The doctor said he was lucky it wasn’t much worse.
• Vending machines fall over and kill 13 people per year. That’s each year! More people die from vending machines than large snakes.
• Cows kill 20 people in America each year.
• Horses also kill 20 people in the U.S annually.
• Flying champagne corks kill nearly 24 people each year.
• Falling Icicles are responsible for more than 100 deaths every year. Yikes! Talk about a cold death.
• Falling coconuts kill 150 people annually. Ouch!
• Falls from ladders cause more than 350 deaths each year. Be careful when putting up those Christmas lights!
• The CDC says Falling out of bed kills 450 people annually and results in 1.8 million emergency room visits and more than 400 thousand hospitalizations each year. Apparently sleeping is dangerous.
• Hippos kill 2,900 people every year. They are considered the most dangerous animal in Africa.
• About 3,000 people die from choking on their own food annually. Eating is dangerous.
• Nearly 6,000 people die from tripping each year.  This gives new meaning to the phrase, watch your step.
• Texting while driving kills 6,000 people each year in the U.S. alone. Is Texting dangerous? It depends on when you are doing it. I wonder if people trip because they are texting?
• About 24,000 people die from being struck by lightning worldwide each year.
• 1.25 million people die in road crashes and 20-50 million people are injured or disabled each year globally.  Cars are dangerous.

How long will you be housing and taking care of your pet lizard? How will this fit into your plans? Are you buying a pet for your son or daughter? If that lizard is a very long-lived species, what will the plan be when they decide to move out?

If that lizard is a very short-lived species will it cause too much trauma for them when their pet passes away? How long will you be taking care of it? How long will your pet lizard be with your family?

So, how long do lizards live in captivity?  I decided to do some research to answer this very question. As it turns out it really depends on the species. My research involved a sampling of 25 species that are commonly kept as pets.  Here’s what I found.

Based on 25 different species commonly kept as pets the average age of a pet lizard in captivity is 13.6 years. This very much depends on the specific species and can even depend on gender. Male panther chameleons average about 3 to 5 years of age. If females are breeding, they may only last 2 to 3 years. On the other side of the spectrum, uromastyx lizards can live more than 30 years but 15 years is more typical.

I wanted to focus my research on lizards that are actually kept as pets.  And narrow that list further to include those that are the most common and most popular, such as bearded dragons, crested geckos, leopard geckos, blue tongued skinks, green iguanas and so forth. The entire list is below.

25 Lizards Commonly Kept as Pets

• Ackie Monitor
• African Fat-Tailed Gecko
• Argentine Black and White Tegu
• Argus Monitor
• Asian Water Monitor
• Bearded Dragon
• Black Throat Monitor
• Blue Tongued Skink
• Chinese Water Dragon
• Chuckwalla
• Crested Gecko
• Dumeril’s monitor
• Frilled Dragon
• Gargoyle Gecko
• Giant Day Gecko
• Green Anole
• Green Basilisk
• Green Iguana
• Jackson’s Chameleon
• Leachianus gecko
• Leopard Gecko
• Ornate Uromastyx
• Panther Chameleon
• Savannah Monitor
• Veiled Chameleon

When researching the life span of each lizard species I began to realize that there is a lot of variability. Some species live longer than others and some don’t live nearly as long as I thought. So, asking “how long do lizards live in captivity” may not be the right question.

I’m reminded of the movie I,Robot when the hologram of Dr. Lanning tells Detective Spooner (played by Will Smith), “I’m sorry, my responses are limited. You must ask the right questions.”  

The answer to our question really depends on the specific species. So, a better question would be, “How long do leopard geckos live?”  Of course, if you aren’t considering a leopard gecko then your question would be…well…you know what I mean.

Not only is their variability when considering a range of 25 different species there are also wide age ranges within a specific species.

For example, the average captive lifespan for bearded dragons is between 6 and 10 years, but there are reports of some living up to 20 years. Ours is currently at 13 years.  6 to 20 years is quite a bit of a range. This is like saying most humans live about 75 years but some live to 150!    

The following chart shows the 25 species in this study and their average life expectancy in captivity. Keep in mind that averages are not meant to be exact numbers. Some individuals will live longer and some will not even reach the average age. 

What Determines How Long a Lizard Will Live?

So, what determines how long your pet lizard will live? This question is probably best asked when looking in the mirror because the answer will be staring right back at you.

The single most important factor affecting your pet lizard’s quality of life and how long that life will be is you.  Owning any animal requires taking on responsibility. One of the oldest, most rewarding and interesting ways to teach a child responsibility is to get them a pet to take care of.

In captivity, your lizard depends on you for everything.  They depend on you for how much space they will have to stretch out. They depend on you for what kind of food they will eat, the quality of that food and how often they will be able to eat it.

Your pet lizard depends on you to learn as much as you can about its specific needs and to provide the right conditions for it to be healthy and happy.  This includes the right kind of lighting, temperature, humidity levels, substrate, access to water, places to hide and places to explore.

Pet lizards can’t do any of these things for themselves.  In the wild, all of these things are provided by mother nature. In captivity, you are taking on that role. This can be sobering and exciting.

There are certainly other factors that have an impact on how long your lizard will live. Some of these things are just not in your control.

Genetics, unforeseen health issues unrelated to husbandry, and natural disasters come to mind.  You can only control what you can control. And you can control how you care for your pet.

Some keepers make honest mistakes, that if corrected, won’t impact their pet lizard’s health significantly. We all make mistakes and that is part of the learning process.

With a little research and talking to other more experienced keepers, this can be an ongoing and rewarding process, especially if your collection grows from one species to another and another or even more. Part of the joy of keeping reptiles as pets is learning all about them! It’s so much fun!

Unfortunately, some owners don’t take this role very seriously. Some don’t do enough research and fail to provide the right conditions. And sadly, some are just lazy and negligent. Their animals live out a sad existence and die slowly. Don’t let that person be you.

The best thing you can do is find the right information. And this should start before you buy your new lizard. So, how do you find the right information?

How Do I Find the Right Information?

In our world, there is no shortage of information. Even in places that have little food, you can still find internet access. We are swimming in a sea of videos on YouTube, posts on social media, and searches on google. The key is getting the right information.

So, how do you get the right information?

 Hopefully, you are buying your new pet lizard from a breeder. If that is the case you are getting off to an excellent start. Breeders started off just like you with an interest in buying a new pet lizard.

They learned all they could and took that interest so far that they are now reproducing the lizard species they love.

They are experts. Reputable breeders will often have something called a “care sheet” this is a one- or two-page document that will give you the right information on how to care for your new pet reptile.

If you are buying your lizard from a pet store, they may also have a care sheet or even a book about how to care for your specific species.

Always cross-reference any of the information they give you with another credible source.  I have seen pet stores recommending the wrong guidelines for caring for a specific kind of reptile way too many times.

Even if you didn’t buy your animal from a breeder you can often find breeders online that share that information freely on their site. 

There are also reputable websites that have very helpful information such as reptilesmagazine.com. I have often found answers to my questions on their website.

Other experienced keepers, who have kept the species you are interested in successfully, are also good people to talk to.   

What Kind of Keeper Will You Be?

Raising reptiles and keeping them as pets can be fun and interesting.  It’s a hobby that is growing in popularity every year. Keeping your favorite lizard can be fun and exciting but comes with responsibility.

It’s up to you to decide what kind of keeper you are going to be. Most people want to do everything they can to care for their reptiles so they have a good quality of life.

Do your best to control what you can control, learn as much as you can, and provide the best quality of life you can for your pet lizard.

As you do this, your amazing reptilian pet will have a long and happy life, and you will have a wonderful and rewarding experience.

What about Australian water dragons? They are similar but completely different lizards. Are Australian water dragons good pets? I decided to do a little research. The more I learn about them the more interesting they are. Here’s what I found.

Australian water dragons are great pet lizards for the right person. They are a larger-sized lizard that is generally docile and adapts to handling very well. They are very interesting to look at and relatively easy to care for if you have the budget and space. Australian water dragons are generally better suited for intermediate keepers.

They are very hardy and can be just as tame as a bearded dragon (which is about as tame as a lizard can get!) but they have some specific care requirements.

This is not to say that they are not a good choice for your first pet lizard. It just means they require a little more than other lizards.

More space, more food, more water, more lights. Some beginners are very ambitions and these things may not be a problem at all. You just need to be aware of them.

If you are committed and have the financial means, as well as space, then they can be a great first lizard. We will discuss all the reasons they make good pets and some things to consider later in this article.

Interesting Facts About Australian Water Dragons

• Where do Australian water dragons come from? – The eastern coast of Australia in wooded areas close to water.

• How big do Australian water dragons get? – Australian water dragons can grow to about 3 and a half feet. Males are bigger than females.

• How long do Australian water dragons live? – Australian water dragons can live up to 20 years in captivity.

• Are Australian water dragons aggressive? – Australian water dragons are not known to be aggressive. They are nonvenomous and not dangerous to humans.

Australian water dragons are one of the few lizards that actually have “dragon” in their name. This is awesome! If you have always wanted to own your very own pet dragon, Australian water dragons could be a good choice.

So, let’s talk about all the reasons they make good pets. We will also review some things go consider before adding a dragon to your family and home.

More About Australian Water Dragons

Australian water dragons:

• Are relatively easy to care for
• Adapt to handling very well
• Are Big but not too big
• Look like dragons!

Considerations:

• Can be difficult to care for
• Hard to find
• Expensive

Why Australian Water Dragons Make Good Pets:

Are Relatively Easy to Care For

Almost all Australian water dragons that you will find available for sale (unless you live in Australia) are captive bred. Captive bred reptiles always do better in captivity than wild caught animals.

Australian water dragons are also very hardy and from this stand point it makes them relatively easy to care for. This means that even if you make a few mistakes your pet dragon isn’t going to suddenly die on you.

Having said this, it’s still very important to learn as much as you can about caring for them and do the best you can to give them what they need to live healthy happy lives. 

The healthier your dragon is the happier he will be.  The happier your dragon is the better he will respond to you especially when being handled.

This is one big reason Australian water dragons make good pets. They are hardy. One breeder said, that if kept in the right conditions, it’s very rare for Australian water dragons to become sick. After raising hundreds of Australian water dragons he never saw even a hint of illness.

The key is “the right conditions”. The concepts of caring for them are pretty straight forward but there are some specifics that also make caring for one a big consideration which you will see below.  

Adapt to Handling Very Well

Australian water dragons have a very docile and pleasant disposition. In the wild their typical response when sensing danger is to slide into the water and swim away.  They are not defensive or aggressive.

In captivity, even when not being handled, they will be more or less indifferent when people are nearby. They are not high-strung and nervous like some lizards and their behavior is pretty consistent and predictable. They will not constantly try to escape, bite or whip you with their tail.

When Australian water dragons are handled frequently, they can become very tame. And because of their calm disposition they can truly be a very rewarding pet.

Big but Not Too Big

A lizard reaching over 12 inches is impressive. A 3-foot-long lizard is very impressive. Australian water dragons can get even longer. Males can reach lengths of 3 and a half feet!  Now that’s a big lizard.

Australian water dragons can be very impressive but not too big to manage. If you want a large lizard but you are not prepared for a 5 or 6-foot iguana or 100+ pound water monitor an Australian water dragon may be just right for you.

They get big enough to be impressive but not so big that you have to consider giving them an entire room in your house! Big but not too big. 

Look Like Dragons!

Have you ever wanted your very own pet dragon? I’ve always thought it would be amazing. Australian water dragons are one of a handful of lizards that have the word dragon in their name.

Not only is dragon part of their name, they actually look like little dragons. Minus the wings of course. They have scaly ridges above there eyes and spikes going down their backs. They have muscular bodies and long, flat, fin-like tails.

Australian water dragons have a beautiful pattern with dark horizontal stripes beginning near their eyes and stretching back to their necks. They also have dark vertical stripes on their bodies and tales.

Males even have a red colored belly. It’s easy to see why they are called dragons!

What You Need to Know Before You Buy One

Can be Difficult to Care For

Australian Water Dragons are very hardy, and though the concepts of caring for one are pretty easy to understand, and very straight forward they require a bit more than other more popular pet lizards. These are things you should be aware of when considering one as a pet.

You will need:

• Special lighting
• A Large enclosure
• Large water feature
• Humidity
• Lots of food

Special lighting

They need both UVA and UVB full spectrum lighting to be able to digest their food properly. This is not uncommon for many other lizard species but because of how large your Australian water dragon will get and the size of the enclosure you will need, you are going to need quite a bit of lighting which can be expensive.  

Large enclosures

You will not only need floor space but you will need height because Australian water dragons like to climb. At least a 5-foot by 2-foot by 2-foot cage is recommended but larger and higher is better.  Only one side of the cage should be glass. This will help your dragon feel secure. That is a pretty large cage.

Large water feature

Experts say it’s a must to have a very large water feature in the enclosure. Something almost as long as your dragon. And larger is better. This creates a need for more maintenance especially since they like to poop in the water.

Dirty water will need to be changed which means you will be changing their water on a regular basis. You will also need to make sure the water doesn’t get too cold.

The makes caring for your dragon more complex and enough for some people to avoid them all together.

Humidity

Speaking of water, you will also need to make sure the cage is kept at about 40-70% humidity. The water in the enclosure will help with this.

Lots of food

Australian Water dragons eat a lot. And since they are a large sized lizard you will need to feed them large quantities of food frequently. This means large quantities of a variety of insects such as crickets, hornworms, superworms, mealworms and dubia roaches.

As they get older you may also feed them greens.These food items are very common to keeping other lizards. The difficulty comes in the quantity.

Unless you are raising your own feeder insects you are going to be making a lot of trips to the pet store and spending a lot of money feeding your dragon.

Hard to Find

I don’t think I have ever seen an Australian Water Dragon in a pet store. I have rarely ever seen them at reptile expos. They are hard to find.

Chinese water dragons are much more popular and less expensive. If you want an Australian water dragon you are going to need to find them online and will probably need to get on a waiting list.

Expensive

Australian Water Dragons are not as available as other lizards and can be expensive. They are generally about $400-$500 U.S. dollars.  The cost to buy the lizard is one thing but the total cost of caring for one is another. It all adds up.  

I love reptiles and I love dragons. Now that I know more about Australian water dragons, I find myself imagining what it would be like to own one and I have to say I’m very tempted to take that step.

If you are looking for a large lizard that is friendly, relatively easy to care for and looks like a dragon, the Australian water dragon is an excellent choice.

I did some research involving 11 popular pet lizard species and this is what I found.

The average time it takes for lizard eggs to hatch is 80 days. This depends on the species. For example, it takes an average of 60 days for leopard gecko eggs to hatch and much longer for veiled chameleons at around 180 days. It all depends on the kind of lizard you are breeding.

There are also other factors to consider. The temperature and humidity levels in the incubator can affect this time and eggs will either hatch a little sooner or a few days later.  Leopard gecko eggs can hatch in as little as 35 days or just over 1 month and veiled chameleon eggs can take as long as 9 months!

That’s similar to humans! Though obviously humans don’t lay eggs…

Common Pet Lizards That Are Bred in Captivity

The lizards in my research include those that are most commonly kept as pets. Some are widely bred by your average pet lizard owner and hobbyists, while a few are bred mostly by professional breeders.

These include the following: 

• Bearded Dragons
• Crested Geckos
• Gargoyle Geckos
• Leopard Geckos
• Green Iguanas
• Argentine Black and White Tegus
• Blue Tongued Skinks
• Asian Water Monitors
• Ornate Uromastyx
• Chinese Water Dragons
• Veiled Chameleons

The chart below shows the average number of eggs laid by each species (average clutch size) and the average number of days it takes for those eggs to hatch.

The above numbers are averages. It can take less time for eggs to hatch and may take longer depending on the conditions.

Will the Eggs Hatch at All? 

Most lizards do not raise there young. The majority deposit their eggs in a nice secluded spot where temperatures and humidity levels are stable, bury them and leave. Never to return. Talk about abandonment.

Predators can be a factor. In the wild, predators will pillage a nest of lizard eggs and eat them all for a nice meal.

In captivity the main factor contributing to the time it takes for lizard eggs to hatch and if they will hatch at all is the breeder.

The Human Factor

It can be fun and exciting to care for and hatch the offspring of your pet reptile! Maybe this is one reason the hobby is growing so fast.

Unlike a lizard who lays her eggs and leaves, breeders have the opportunity to take a parental role in this process. Breeders become the caring parents those little eggs have been missing.

This means that the various factors that play a role in giving lizard eggs a chance to hatch, and how long it takes them, are largely in your hands.

Just as temperatures and humidity determine how long it takes for lizard eggs to hatch, they also determine if the eggs will hatch at all. If these two factors are not in an appropriate range, the eggs will not make it.

These requirements will vary among species and it’s important to get them right. Fortunately, there are incubators made specifically for this purpose that are available commercially. It is also possible to build one yourself.  

In captivity, the threat of predators is also eliminated; unless your cat is allowed to roam the house (and breeding/incubating room) free.

Once you have established a controlled environment and collected the eggs. All that’s left is to put them in the incubator, adjust to the appropriate settings and wait. There is actually a little more to it. You will want to check the incubator on a regular basis to make sure all is going well.

Though it may be impossible to predict exactly when those little eggs will hatch, it helps to have an idea. The chart above can give you a reference for average times but it’s a good idea to do some additional research on your specific lizard species.  

The more you know the better you will be able to care for those eggs. You will be able to increase the percentage of eggs that hatch successfully as well as more accurately predict how long it takes.

Many Mouths to Feed

One last thing to keep in mind. Once your lizard eggs hatch whether that takes 35 days or 9 months you will soon have many little mouths to feed. If that is 2 or 22 or even 50 that certainly adds up and it’s important to be ready for that added responsibility.

Are you going to sell them? Do you have potential buyers? Are you going to keep them? Are you prepared for what that will mean in terms of care? Do you have the appropriately sized food items readily available?

Even if you do plan to sell them there is a good chance you won’t sell them all at once and you will need to care for all those little babies during that time.  Whew, being a parent can be a lot of work. It can also be very rewarding!  

I’m not sure if I will ever get into breeding lizards, but I have to say after writing this article, I’m thinking about it again. My daughter has been asking for a crested gecko. Maybe we’ll get a few and see if we can start our own little breeding project. 

Related Questions

How many eggs do lizards lay?

The average clutch size for lizard eggs is 17. This depends on the species.  The fewest eggs per clutch for lizards on our list are crested geckos and gargoyle geckos with 2 eggs per clutch. The highest are veiled chameleons at 56 and they can lay as many as 85.

Other factors that determine clutch size include the age, size, and health of the female.  Larger more mature healthy females often lay more than the average. 

What is the average temperature for hatching lizard eggs?

The average temperature for incubating lizard eggs is about 81 degrees. About 70 degrees for chameleons and as high as 92-93 degrees for uromastyx.

What is the average humidity for incubating lizard eggs?

The average humidity required for incubating most lizard eggs is about 75%. Humid but not wet. If eggs get too wet there is a good chance mold and fungus will grow and attack your eggs. In this case, the eggs will become infertile and not hatch.

Interesting Facts

• Some lizard species lay multiple clutches during the breeding season. Crested geckos, for example, will lay 2 eggs every 30 to 45 days.

• Incubation temperatures can also determine if baby lizards will be male or female.

• Some species of nearly hatched lizards are believed to be able to sense if predators are nearby. They will burst out of their eggs and take off running.

I asked the guy working in the store if I could see the gecko. He said okay and reached in to grab him. That’s when it happened. The gecko bit him and bit him hard. He screamed and let out a word I won’t repeat. I couldn’t hold back a smile when I said. “Okay, I want that one.”

I have to admit, I was scared. Scared and excited. This gecko seemed like the coolest lizard, large exotic and unpredictable. I was so happy to have one. I really had no idea how to care for it but I was going to find out.

So, do Tokay geckos make good pets?

Tokay geckos make great pets for the right person. They are easy to care for, hardy, and very interesting. However, if you are looking for a pet lizard that you can handle often, they are probably not the best choice.

Interesting Facts About Tokay Geckos

• Where are they from? –Tokay geckos come from southeast Asia, northeast China, Thailand, and Indonesia, as well as some Pacific islands. They are arboreal and are found in bushes, trees, and rocky outcrops.

• How big do they get? – Tokay geckos are one of the largest living gecko species. They can grow more than a foot in length.

• How long do they live? – Tokay geckos have been known to live as long as 20 years.

• What do they eat? – Tokay geckos are opportunistic feeders and eat a wide variety of prey items. In the wild, they eat an assortment of bugs, spiders, insects, other lizards and geckos even small rodents and nestling birds. In captivity, they are raised mostly on crickets, mealworms, super worms, hornworms, wax worms, and occasionally pinky mice.

• Do they make noise? – Yes! Geckos are the only lizards that have vocal cords. Tokay geckos make a barking noise that sounds a lot like they are saying “To-kay! To-kay!”This is also how they got their name.

Why Tokay Geckos Make Good Pets

Affordable

When I bought my tokay gecko, I was surprised at how affordable it was. I thought that such an exotic lizard would be several hundred dollars. This was not the case. Tokay geckos were very affordable at the time and they still are. You can find captive bred tokay geckos ranging in price from $25 U.S. dollars to about $100 dollars for various interesting color morphs.    

Easy to Care For

One of the things I found was how easy Tokay Geckos are to care for.

You will need:

• An Enclosure
• Substrate
• Heat
• Humidity
• Places to hide
• UVB lighting

Enclosure

Tokay Geckos are one of the largest gecko species on earth but you can keep an adult in a 10-gallon sized terrarium. This is great especially if you don’t have very much space. Many owners like to add live plants which is a great idea but not a requirement.

Substrate

News print, butcher paper, paper towels are just fine but a substrate that holds moisture is best. Tokay geckos need humidity to be healthy. Cypress mulch and orchid bark are good options. Coconut husk works well too. 

Heat

Ambient temperatures of about 80-85 degrees Fahrenheit are best with a basking spot of about 90 to 100 degrees. Nighttime temps can be in the mid-70’s. You can achieve this by using a red heat bulb or ceramic heat element.

It’s best to use an Infrared Thermometer, Non-Contact Digital Thermometer to check for accurate heating. It’s also a good idea to use a thermostat. It’s important not to barbecue your lizard.

Humidity

Tokay geckos require a good amount of humidity. It’s easiest to achieve this by spraying the inside of the cage with a fine mist of water at night right before the lights go out. This will imitate a light rain.

The trick is to spray just enough for water droplets to form but not so much that puddles form. You want the cage to dry out by the next day. If you choose a substrate that holds moisture be sure to check to make sure it is not wet like a sponge. Moist is good wet is not.

Places to hide

Tokay geckos (and most reptiles) need places to hide so they can sleep and feel secure. This is important so they don’t become stressed. If you like a naturalistic looking cage this is a great opportunity to decorate to your heart’s content.

Tokay geckos actually prefer a cluttered cage. Hollow cork bark logs are great, caves, plants, sticks, even an overturned plastic bowl with an opening cut out will work great as a place to hide. 

All of this will help your tokay gecko feel secure, happy and be healthy.  

UVB Lighting

Even though Tokay geckos are active at night they still need UVB lighting in order to absorb calcium and synthesize vitamin D3. You can use UVB coil bulbs for smaller cages right near the basking spot. These lights should be on 12 hours a day but not 24 hours.

The above is not meant to be a comprehensive care guide but it should give you a good idea of what to expect when taking care of your tokay gecko. It’s far more than I had. 

Very Hardy

As I look back now, I did a lot of things wrong when caring for my tokay gecko and that makes me sad but it is a testament to how very hardy Tokay geckos really are.

I didn’t do half the things I now know are important to a healthy gecko living a long life. My tokay gecko did very well for many years. They can tolerate owners’ mistakes better than other species but this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do everything you can to take care of them properly.

It’s just good to know that your lizard isn’t going to die suddenly if you don’t get everything perfect.

Very Interesting  

When I first saw my tokay gecko in my favorite pet store I was captivated. Tokay geckos are large, can climb almost anything including glass and even make noise. They are very interesting.

The first time I heard him barking, “To-kay, To-kay, To-kay” I was tickled with awe. It was so cool! If you are looking for a very interesting lizard Tokay geckos definitely qualify.

Why Tokay Geckos Are Not a Good Pet for Everyone

Not Easy to Handle

Tokay geckos are not known for being docile lizards that even children can handle. In fact, it’s a good idea that children never handle tokay geckos. They can be tamed with lots and lots of patience and a very good understanding of how to do so but your average person is going to have a tough time.

If you are looking for a pet lizard that is also easy to handle, tokay geckos are not a very good choice. Some lizards that are, include crested geckos, leopard geckos, bearded dragons and uromastyx.

Are Very Fast

They Are Very Fast Tokay geckos are extremely fast. I always worried about my tokay gecko getting out of his cage. He was always near the top which was also the opening. I had to pull the screen open to feed him and clean the cage.

They are so fast! I knew that if he got out it would be next to impossible for me to catch him. A lot of lizards are fast. This is not something that should dissuade you from buying a pet lizard but a fast lizard that bites really hard can be a concern for people.

They Bite

The first time I saw my tokay gecko he was biting the guy trying to show it to me. It drew blood. His hand was bleeding and not just a little. I decided that day I did not want to get bit.

So, any time I needed to clean the cage I was very careful. Anytime I needed to handle him I used gloves. If this is a concern for you then a tokay gecko is probably not the best choice.

Tokay geckos make good pets for the person who enjoys observing them. They are easy to take care of, hardy, very interesting to look at and listen to. If you are interested in a tokay gecko and don’t mind having more of a display animal than one you handle, then a tokay gecko is an excellent choice.

I loved my tokay gecko. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll have another one.

So, do chuckwallas make good pets? Here’s what I found.

Chuckwallas make very good pets. They are a medium-sized lizard that is easy to care for, very hardy, and will seldom if ever try to bite. Their docile, friendly temperament makes them a pleasant reptile that is a joy to handle. 

Interesting Facts About Chuckwallas

• How did they get their name? – When I first heard the name “chuckwalla” I thought it was some kind of rodent. The name is actually derived from two Native American words. The Shoshoni word tcaxxwal and the Cahuilla word caxwal which was transcribed by Spaniards to chacahuala or chuckwalla.

• Where do they come from? – CommonChuckwallas are found in rocky arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. There are five other species that are found in Baja California, and the small Islands in the Gulf of California. One of the most popular of these species is the San Esteban Island Chuckwalla (piebald chuckwalla) which has patches of color all over its body.

• How big do they get? – Chuckwallas are long flat, stocky, wide-bodied lizards that get up to about 15 inches long. The San Esteban Island Chuckwalla is the largest species and can reach 30 inches in length.

• What do they eat? – Chuckwallas are primarily herbivores. In the wild they eat various buds, leaves, fruits and flowers. They especially enjoy yellow flowers. Chuckwallas will also occasionally eat various bugs and insects.

• How long to do they live? – Chuckwallas can live more than 20 years.

• Are they Dangerous? – Chuckwallas are nonvenomous lizards that are not dangerous to humans. They are peaceful, docile creatures that scurry away into a rock crevice when feeling threatened.

More About Desert Chuckwallas

So, why do chuckwallas make good pets? I will list many of these reasons below. I will also list some considerations to keep in mind when thinking about adding one to your family.

Chuckwallas

• Are very hardy
• Are easy to take care of
• Are a very manageable size
• Are docile and easy to handle
• Can be housed together
• Can be housed with other lizards

Considerations

• Can be difficult to find
• Can be expensive
• Require special lighting
• Require a medium to large enclosure

Why Chuckwallas Make Great Pets

Are Very Hardy

Chuckwallas live in very arid desert climates and can tolerate extreme conditions. The are hardy robust lizards and can also tolerate owners’ mistakes. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do all you can to research and provide proper care for them. It does mean you don’t have to worry about your pet lizard suddenly dying on you if you don’t get thigs perfect.

Are Easy to Take Care of  

Because chuckwallas are so hardy, they are also easy to take care of. Easy of care is always important to keep in mind when consideration a new pet.

You will need:

• An Enclosure
• Heat and Full Spectrum UVB lighting
• A good substrate
• Access to greens, veggies and fruits.

Enclosure

You can start hatchlings out in a 10-gallon sized terrarium and adults need about a 3-foot by 2-foot encloser.  Bigger is even better.

Heat and Lighting

Probably the most challenging thing about caring for a chuckwalla is making sure they have a hot enough basking spot, proper full spectrum light and a temperature gradient in their enclosure.

This is not out of the ordinary. These requirements are similar to other lizards such as bearded dragons, desert iguanas and uromastyx. So, the equipment needed is easy to find.

You can achieve the proper temperatures buy using an under the tank heat mat and a heat lamp. It’s important to put your heat lamp and mat on one side of the cage NOT right in the middle.  This serves to create a temperature gradient. A hot spot (basking spot) for them to warm up under and a cooler side to move to when desired. 

The hot spot should be about 110 degrees and the rest of the cage should be around 80-85 degrees. Having a large cage can help you achieve this gradient.

It’s best to provide full spectrum light running the length of the cage. Chuckwallas are sun loving lizards and they need long periods of bright light and UV rays to digest their food and grow and develop properly. This can be accomplished by using a long florescent style full spectrum UV fixture and bulb.

Substrate

Chuckwallas come from rocky, arid, desert regions. Though they come from deserts they spend little time on the sand.

Many owners have kept chuckwallas on sand without any issues. Others strongly believe that sand is not a very good choice for these lizards and isn’t recommended for any lizard.

They can accidently swallow sand and become impacted (block their digestive tract) which can lead to serious health concerns or even death. This does tend to be rare but it can happen. I had this very thing happen to one of my bearded dragons and she died.

It’s up to you. If you decide to use sand, children’s play sand is a good choice. You can find it relatively inexpensively at the hardware store. You can also find sand that is specifically made for keeping reptiles.

If you want a naturalistic looking environment using gravel and rocks similar to what you might use for landscaping, is a better choice for a substrate. This replicates their natural environment.

Rabbit pellets are also a good option. It’s easy to clean, absorbent, and if your chuckwalla eats it, they won’t have any health issues.

Many keepers also like to provide large flat rocks for their chuckwallas to climb and relax on. You can stack them with a small space in between so your chuckwalla can wedge himself in like he would do in the wild. 

Just be sure the rocks are large enough that he can’t move them. You don’t want him getting squished by an accidental rock fall.

Access to greens, veggies and fruits.

Chuckwallas are primarily vegetarian. This is great because you can get their food from the grocery store. This makes caring for them much more convenient than lizards that eat large quantities of insects.

Examples of food items include edible flowers, collard greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, beet greens, carrot tops, as well as romaine occasionally.  You can also offer them specially made tortoise foods such as Mazrui tortoise diet.

Chuckwallas get the majority of their moisture from the foods they eat. It’s still a good idea to include a water dish with fresh clean water.

The above is not meant to be a detailed care guide but it should give you a good idea of what to expect and really how easy it is to care for your chuckwalla.

All of this can seem a little complicated but once you understand the basics, their care is pretty strait forward.

Are a Very Manageable Size  

Chuckwallas are the second larges lizard in north America. Second only to the Gila monster. This doesn’t mean they are huge. They are just large enough to be impressive but small enough to be very manageable and easy to handle. 

They also don’t need a huge enclosure like a water monitor or green iguana.  If you want a good-sized lizard, larger than a bearded dragon but smaller than a tegu or other giant lizard, a chuckwalla is a great choice.

Are Docile and Easy to Handle

Chuckwallas can be skittish at first but will usually calm right down with time and consistent interaction.They are docile, even tempered and adjust to handling quite well. Once they become comfortable, they will even seek out your attention. They are active and curious and can be fun to observe. This makes them a great pet lizard.

Can Be Housed Together

Many popular lizards prefer to be solitary and keeping them together is not advisable. One cool thing about chuckwallas is that they can be housed together. You really only want one male in the cage though. You can keep a male with a few females with out issues.

Can Be Housed with Other Lizards

Another really cool thing about chuckwallas is that you can house them with other lizards! This can include, desert iguanas, spiny tailed iguanas, or uromastyx. 

This can be really interesting if you like the idea of having a small reptile community! Of course, the more you have in one enclosure the larger that enclosure should be.

What You Need to Know About Chuckwallas

Can be Difficult to Find

Chuckwallas used to be readily available but this has changed over the years. I have seen captive bred chuckwallas in specialty reptile pet stores and occasionally at reptile expos.

You can also find them online. If you buy from a large volume reptile dealer online, they are almost always wild caught.

We always recommend buying captive bred reptiles directly from a breeder when possible. Wild caught animals tend to be more skittish and temperamental than captive bred animals. They can also have health issues.

They can also adjust to captivity well and become very good pets.  With chuckwallas this is often the case. We would still recommend doing the best you can to find one that is captive bred. It’s something to be aware of but it’s really up to you.

If a wild caught animal is the only choice, just move forward and enjoy your pet chuckwalla. If you can give a wild caught animal a good home, there is something to be said about that as well.

You can still have a very rewarding experience with a pet lizard that you love.  

Can be Expensive

Chuckwallas are not as common in the pet trade as they used to be and the prices have gone up. Prices range from about $150-$200 U.S. Dollars for common chuckwallas and around $800-$1500 for San Esteban chuckwallas.  

This doesn’t include the cost of buying the enclosure, heating equipment and lighting. The initial cost can be expensive depending on your budget. This is certainly something to keep in mind.

Require Special Lighting

If you are going to keep a diurnal (active during the day) lizard then you will nearly always need full spectrum UVB lighting in order for them to be healthy and happy.  

Chuckwallas are one of those lizards that needs this to an extreme. They need heat and UVB lighting which can be expensive. Putting a light fixture on the top of the cage can also be bulky and take up space.

This is an important consideration when buying a chuckwalla or any other sun loving lizard.

Require a medium to large enclosure

Chuckwallas need a relatively large enclosure. At least 3 feet long for adults. For some people this can be bigger than they are comfortable with or have the space for. So, keep this in mind if you are short on space.

My uncle always used to say chuckwallas make good pets. I never really talked to him about all the reasons why but now I know.

Chuckwallas are easy to care for, hardy, an impressive yet manageable size, and they adapt to handling very well. As I write this article I’m thinking, “Hmm, maybe I should get a chuckwalla or two”.

They make a very good pet!

If you are considering one, I would highly recommend them.  

Other lizards that have similar care requirements and are just as interesting include, bearded dragons, uromastyx and desert iguanas. If you are looking for a new pet lizard you may want to consider these as well.

Desert Iguanas make great pets. They are easy to care for, very hardy, and don’t get too big. They adapt to handling very well, and their docile, friendly natures make them an excellent choice even for children.

After all, that’s what my brothers and I were back in those days, children. It was amazing to me that we were able to catch and keep such interesting lizards that were so tame! And, not just tame, but very easy to care for. It’s hard for me to believe that these incredible reptiles aren’t much more popular.

I would go so far as to say that desert iguanas are America’s bearded dragon.

Before we talk about all the reasons why desert iguanas make good pets lets learn more about them. They are a beautiful light grayish tan and white lizard with spots and stripes running along their backs.

They have muscular legs and long, round, meaty tails that are banded with rings of spots. They even have small dorsal scales the look like tiny shark fins running down their backs.

Interesting Facts About Desert Iguanas

• Where do they live? – Desert Iguanas are found in the arid desert regions of the southwestern United States. This includes Southern California, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah. They are also found in northwestern Mexico in Sonora, Sinaloa and Baja California.

• How big do they get? – Baby desert Iguanas are about 5 inches long and adults average about 16 inches in length. And some very rarely reach 18 inches.

• What do they eat? – Desert Iguanas are mostly herbivores. In the wild, they eat various buds, leaves, fruits, and flowers.  They especially enjoy creosote flowers. Desert Iguanas will also occasionally eat various insects and bugs.

• How long do they live? – Desert Iguanas are known to live about 15 years or more in captivity.

• Are they really Iguanas? – Yes. Desert Iguanas are classified in the family Iguanidae just like their much larger greener cousins

Next, we will discuss why desert iguanas make great pets as well as some things to consider before making one or two the next addition to your family.

More About Desert Iguanas

Desert Iguanas

• Are very hardy
• Are easy to take care of
• Are a very manageable size
• Are docile and easy to handle
• Are interesting to watch
• Can be housed together
• Can be housed with other lizards
• Are very affordable

Considerations

• Very difficult to find
• Require special lighting
• Require a medium to large enclosure

Why Desert Iguanas Make Good Pets

Very Hardy

Desert Iguanas are very hardy lizards. They come from harsh environments and can withstand the extremes of such climates. They can also tolerate their owners’ mistakes better than other reptiles.

My younger brother once took his pet desert iguana to his friend Craig’s house. He accidentally left it over there and forgot all about it. Three days later Craig’s mom called saying our lizard was still at their house.

It had been hiding under their curtains, in the cold, the entire time. My brother brought him back home and put him back in the cage. The lizard was just fine.

It’s still important to learn as much about caring for them as possible, but it’s nice to know they aren’t going to suddenly die if you don’t get everything just perfect. Or if you leave them at your friend’s house.

Easy to Take Care Of

Desert Iguanas are very easy to take care of and their care requirements are actually very similar to bearded dragons. There are a few things to keep in mind.

You will need:

• An Enclosure
• Heat lamp
• Full Spectrum UVB lighting
• A deep substrate
• Access to various greens, fruits, and vegetables

Adults need a moderately large enclosure.  About 3 feet by 2 feet wide and 2 feet high will do. More floor space is better. Desert Iguanas are active and it’s a good idea to have at least a little more space.

The word “desert” is in their name because, well they come from the desert. This means they need a lot of sunshine and heat to be healthy and happy. And that means a heat lamp and full spectrum UVB lighting. This helps them digest their food, grow and develop properly. 

Remember when I said they can handle owners’ mistakes? We used a heat rock in the enclosure and an incandescent lamp over the cage. This was back in the ’80s and that’s what everyone did. We just didn’t know. Our iguanas were just fine but they would have been much healthier if we had the proper lighting.

Don’t do what we did. Us the right lighting so your pet desert iguana will be as healthy as possible. And don’t use a heat rock. They have been known to malfunction and burn your reptiles.  Fortunately, ours didn’t do that. It did malfunction but instead of overheating it just stopped working.

The hot-spot on one side of the cage should be at least 95 to 105 degrees. 110 is not too hot. They should also have a cooler side of the cage to retreat to. Studies show that they do best with at least 12 hours of light each day. A great way to do this is to put your light setup on a timer.

Most of the time it is not a good idea to keep reptiles on sand. In a desert Iguana’s case, it is just fine. In fact, it’s best to provide several inches of sand (up to 10 or 12 inches) so they have opportunities to burrow.  Children’s play sand is a good affordable option.

You will need to keep the sand a little bit moist. Not wet. Just enough so it will hold together when they dig. Just mist the sand a little bit each morning or every other day or so. 

We got that wrong too. We never kept the sand moist enough for them to dig burrows, instead, they dug out a space underneath the heat rock which made for a nice burrow.  This is a great option. 

You can put a large flat rock or two in the cage. This will allow for a solid structure to dig under. I would still recommend misting the sand. If I decide to keep desert iguanas again someday, I will do both.

In captivity, you can feed your desert iguana a wide range of foods and it’s a good idea to do so. They are primarily herbivores and this is great because you can get their food right from the grocery store!

This includes various greens, fruits and vegetables like berries, apples, oranges, mangos, tomatoes, yellow squash, butternut squash, zucchini, pumpkin, collard greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, beet greens, romaine, and endive. 

Be sure to dice these items into small pieces so they can eat them. They will also eat small nuts and seeds like birdseed, sunflower seeds, cashews. and peanuts.  Make sure they are not salted.

You can also occasionally offer mealworms, wax worms, super worms, or small crickets but this is not required. Insects represent a very small part of their diet in the wild so if you don’t want to provide them you don’t have to worry about it.  

Desert Iguanas usually won’t drink from a water dish. Ours never did, but it’s still a good idea to make sure fresh water is available.

The above is not meant to be a detailed care guide but it should give you a good idea of what to expect and really how easy it is to care for a desert iguana.

It may sound complicated but once you get the hang of it, Desert Iguanas are really easy to care for. This goes a long way in making them a great pet.

Very Manageable Size

Desert iguanas are just large enough to be impressive and small enough to be very easy to handle. They are an excellent medium-sized lizard. This means that they don’t need a giant enclosure and you don’t have to strain your eyes to see them either! This certainly further qualifies them as a great pet lizard.

Docile and Easy to Handle

Did I mention we were kids when we got our desert iguanas? I think my brother was only 5 or 6. My dad certainly did a lot of the work, feeding our pet lizards, as he tried to teach us a little responsibility. One thing that I noticed and it still amazes me to this day, is how docile and tame desert iguanas really are.

One of the reasons certain reptile species have gotten a reputation for being aggressive is that when they first became available as pets, they were almost always wild caught.  This is how most animals find their way into the pet trade at least initially. They are caught in the wild and sold in a pet store as someone’s new pet.

Wild caught animals are typically much more defensive and more difficult to handle.  For example, a wild caught boa will have a much higher likely hood of hissing, striking and biting than one that is “captive bred” born in captivity. 

Desert iguanas are docile even in the wild. Yes, there is a possibility they will bite but that possibility is very remote. I was used to catching alligator lizards and having them bite or blue belly fence swifts and having them bite.

When we caught the much larger desert iguanas, I was thinking they would try to bite. They never did. Desert iguanas are the most naturally docile lizards I’ve ever encountered.  They adapt to handling extremely well and are great for children. 

They are large enough not be easily injured by unintentional rough handling and small enough for a 5 or 6-year-old to manage easily.

This is one of the biggest reasons they make such excellent pet lizards.

Interesting to Watch

I’ve always thought desert iguanas were interesting to watch. They dig burrows, they are active during the day and will explore their cage. Sure, most of the time they will sit under the heat light basking for hours, but this is okay especially if you are a busy person with other things to do.  

One of my favorite things that desert iguanas do is run on two legs. Yes, they are pretty fast. Once they get going, they lift their arms and run on their hind legs. Just like a dinosaur!

It’s very fun and exciting to watch!  You won’t see this in their enclosure of course but take them out into your living room or hallway or even your back yard and see if you can get them to run. If they do you will be in for a fun surprise. We used to have races. I have to say mine was pretty fast and he usually won.

Can Be Housed Together

One really cool thing about desert iguanas is that they can be housed together. You really only want one male in the cage though. We kept three together for several years and they did very well.

Can Be Housed with Other Lizards

You can also keep desert iguanas with other heat-loving lizards like chuckwallas or uromastyx. That can be very interesting.

Very Affordable

You can buy desert iguanas for about $40-50 U.S. dollars. If you can find them. They are not very popular so they don’t command high prices. I personally think they are highly underrated and could really be much more expensive.  

This is great for you though. If you are interested in owning an awesome lizard that is tame and easy to care for but you really don’t have a large budget, a desert iguana is an excellent choice!

What You Need to Know About Desert Iguanas

Very Difficult to Find

I think I may have seen a desert iguana in a pet store once or twice in the last 30 or 40 years. Sadly, they are not very available and can be very difficult to find. If you live in Arizona like I do this is not a problem. I can go out to the desert and just look around. Still, I would much rather buy animals from a breeder but I have yet to find someone who is breeding desert iguanas. 

This said you can find them on large volume reptile websites. Short of going out to the desert and collecting your own (with the proper license of course) this is about the only way I’ve been able to find them.

If you order from such a website, you most likely aren’t seeing a picture of the specific animal you are buying. You won’t get to “pick one out” so to speak. So, ask to see pictures of the actual lizard you are buying if possible.

On a positive note, these websites often have a “live arrival guarantee” which means if your pet is not living when it shows up, they will send you a different one.

At least one other thing to point out would be that websites that deal with large volume reptile sales would have a hard time staying in business if all of their customers were disappointed.  This means they must be doing something right.

So, look for one that has good reviews and go for it.

Require Special Lighting

Many lizards and tortoises need full-spectrum UVB lighting. This is pretty common. Desert Iguanas are no exception. They need heat and UVB lighting which can be expensive. Putting a light fixture on the top of the cage can also be bulky and take up space.

If you are going to own a reptile that likes to spend a lot of time in the sun you will need to provide the right lighting so they can be healthy and happy.

This is an important consideration when buying a desert iguana or any other sun-loving lizard.

Require a Medium to Large Enclosure

Desert iguanas need a relatively large enclosure. At least 3 feet long for adults. For some people, this can be bigger than they are comfortable with or have space for. So, keep this in mind if you are short on space. This should definitely be something you consider seriously before buying a medium-sized lizard.

As I look back on my days as an adventurous boy, hunting for lizards and snakes, I remember one of my greatest memories; catching desert iguanas with my uncle. They are and will always be one of my very favorite reptiles.

Desert iguanas are easy to care for, affordable, and hardy. They don’t get too big, and their docile, friendly, nature makes them a joy to handle and interact with, even for small children. They make a very good pet!

If you are considering one, you won’t be disappointed.

Now, after 40 years of catching keeping, buying, owning, and caring for many different species of reptiles, I’ve learned a little about this topic. And, there is one thing I can tell you.

Yes, reptiles do have personalities. Not like people. They aren’t going to be doing stand-up comedy for example and they are not quite the same as a dog or cat. They have their specific behaviors. Snakes, lizards, turtles, and tortoises all behave a little differently and each individual has its unique personality. Many owners feel they are capable of developing a bond and relationship with you. 

Snakes have their own set of instincts and behaviors that make them snakes. And lizards have their own set of instincts and behaviors that make them lizards. The same is true for turtles and tortoises. Each specific species also has unique behaviors.  Boas behave differently than pythons for example. And both behave quite a bit differently than garter snakes.

Bearded dragons behave differently than monitor lizards and both act differently than geckos. Turtles and tortoises, though similar, still behave differently than each other.

We are not just talking about what makes a snake a snake or what makes a lizard a lizard or even what makes a specific species of snake different from another. We are talking about personality.

Once we go beyond stimulus-response instinctive behaviors that make a reptile a specific kind of reptile and a specific species unique from another, we find out a little more. When given the opportunity to observe and interact with two bearded dragons for example you will find that each has its own special personality that is different than the other.

You will also learn that each one will respond to you as their owner just a little bit differently. This is one thing that makes owning a reptile so interesting (and cool!) for so many people.

Aren’t They Just Primitive Creatures?

Some people will argue that snakes and lizards or any reptile for that matter, are too simple-minded, primitive and underdeveloped creatures to have personalities. These are usually people who have little to no experience keeping reptiles as pets.

On the other side of the spectrum, there are some reptile owners who tend to go to opposite extremes and over personify their reptile friends. 

So, who is right? Actually, the answer is really somewhere in the middle.

Reptiles certainly have more primitive characteristics than dogs or cats. Dogs and cats have larger more developed brains and interact with people in different ways.

Reptiles are more driven by survival instincts such as eating, digesting food, hiding or defending themselves. They are not going to rub up against your leg or sit in your lap and purr.

They aren’t going to greet you at the door wagging their tales with excitement when you come home. This doesn’t mean you can’t develop a bond with them. Your relationship with your reptile friend can be very rewarding.

The better you take care of them, and the more you handle them, the more rewarding that relationship will be. When you take care of a pet reptile on a daily basis you learn its own unique personality very well.

You begin to notice the unique traits that make them an individual creature. Not just a mindless robot, driven by instinct and genetic code.

What Are Their Personalities Like?

Sometimes they will act very happy to see you and not just because they think you have food. Other times they will act like they actually want you to take them out of their enclosure and hold them. Not just because they want to escape.

Sometimes they are lazy and sometimes they are active. Sometimes they are aloof and indifferent. And sometimes, just like humans, they can be cranky. Still, other times they will look you directly in your eye with an unspoken understanding.

A look that says, you have a connection with them, and they know it, just as well as you do.  

What Reptiles Have the Most Personality?

This question is fairly difficult to answer because there are so many different reptiles to consider and such a range of behaviors between each one. The term “reptile” is also very broad.

The following is a list of some well-known species that rank very high based on my own personal experience or others. Likely owners that have a specific kind of animal that is not listed here could make a very good argument why their favorite reptile should be listed.

It is by no means meant to be a comprehensive list, but it should give you a good idea.

Snakes

• Garter Snakes
• Boas
• Reticulated Pythons

Lizards

• Bearded Dragons
• Crested Geckos
• Green Iguanas

Turtles and Tortoises

• Red-eared Sliders
• Leopard Tortoises
• Sulcatas (African Spur-thighed tortoise.)

Snakes That Have the Most Personality

Garter Snakes

Garter snakes are active, curious, and known as one of the only snakes that are “social”.  No, they don’t go on Instagram or Pinterest, though you might find their pictures there, but they can actually live in groups.

In captivity, they actually tend to be healthier when kept with other garter snakes. This is rarely the case with most any other snake. For more information on garter snakes click here.

Boas

I once owned a pair of Argentine Boas. Beautiful snakes! The male was very docile and would chill on my shoulder, or in my hands, and on my arms when being held. The female was much more active and intense. She would hiss and strike occasionally but never actually bit me.

Boas, in general, have very calm dispositions but each is unique with its own personality traits. Unlike ball pythons, boas like to move and explore when being held. They are curious and calm and make great pets.

Reticulated Pythons

Kevin McCurley, the owner of New England Reptile Distributors, is an expert reticulated python breeder. He says reticulated pythons are very intelligent. They recognize their owners. They remember when they are treated well and when they aren’t.

They reward their owners with good behavior when they are well taken care of. Some reticulated pythons are grumpy, and some are very docile. And, it can all depend on what kind of day they are having, just like humans.

Reticulated pythons are now being used in educational programs more than they ever have in the past. They are the longest snake species in the world and they can make great pets for the right person.

Other snakes that belong on this list include ball pythons, king snakes, corn snakes, and of course hognose snakes. All of these make great pet snakes and there are many others.

Lizards That Have the Most Personality

Bearded Dragon

Bearded dragons. Of course, bearded dragons are on this list! They are at the top for a reason. Bearded dragons are arguably the most popular pet lizard in the world. This is mostly because of personality. They are also very hardy and easy to take care of.

They are almost always docile and easy to handle. They are well known for being curious and active. Bearded dragons are also known for exhibiting curiously, comical behaviors such as head-bobbing, arm waving and doing pushups. 

For more about bearded dragons click here to take you to a post about why they make good pets.

Crested Geckos

Crested Geckos, sometimes referred to as “cresties” are known for having a gentle disposition that makes them easy to handle. They are often thought of as display animals.

It is popular to create beautiful bioactive enclosures. Complete with live plants, soil, automated foggers, and even live insects that eat the geckos waste and keep the cage clean.

These amazing little creatures also adapt to handling very well. Once their owners interact with them on a regular basis it is easy to see each one’s unique personality.  One owner described her crested gecko as being “silly, mischievous and sweet.”

Crested Geckos have become extremely popular pet lizards because they are generally easy to care for, easy to handle and have interesting personalities. For more about crested geckos click here for a post about why they make good pets.

Green Iguana

Green Iguanas have been very popular as pets for many years. They are big, beautiful, spectacular animals. They used to be considered the best pet lizard because they can often be very tame. 

That is until bearded dragons and other small to medium-sized lizards became more available. These other lizards are easier to take care of in some ways and have more consistent and predictable personalities. I put green iguanas on the list to illustrate that reptiles do have personalities.

Years ago, I had a pet Iguana named Rex and he used to enjoy being scratched or petted especially around his neck and under his chin. This is actually not uncommon with tame iguanas. He was very calm and very easy to handle most of the time.

I also had a second pet green iguana named Raptor. As it turned out, that was the perfect name for her. She did not like being handled at all. She would puff up and whip me with her tail every time I tried to clean the cage. She was not having it.

This is an example of two lizards of the same species that had very different personalities. I believe both recognized me. One seemed to consider me a friend and ally and the other…well she preferred to be left alone.   

Green iguanas are intelligent when it comes to lizards and they definitely have personalities. For more information on green iguanas click here. This will take you to a post about why they make a great pet lizard for the right person.

Other lizards that definitely belong on this list include, leopard geckos, uromastyx, Argentine black and white tegus, Asian water monitors and many others.  

Turtles and Tortoises That Have the Most Personality

Red-Eared Slider

Red-eared sliders are probably the most popular pet turtles. Each one has its own unique personality. When you first bring one home, he will be shy and hide in his shell for a few days or more. Once he is comfortable, he will soon come out to greet you especially when you have food.

One owner says they are a lot smarter than he ever thought they were. He lets his red-eared slider roam his house. She will come to people when they call her and even knows how to push doors open. He insists that she craves attention.

Turtles may not be pizza-loving ninjas but they have much more personality than most people think. Red-eared sliders are a great example of this.

Leopard Tortoise

Leopard tortoises are extremely popular pets. They have beautiful shells and are very hardy. They don’t get as large as sulcatas but still grow to a good size. And they have interesting personalities.  Some are outgoing and interactive and some are shy.

In general, they are not quite as outgoing and active as Red-eared sliders but they have personalities all their own. Leopard tortoises are very peaceful animals and are also believed to form a bond with their owners.

Sulcata (African spur-thighed tortoise.)

Our sulcata tortoise Mordecai, runs over to see us whenever we approach his enclosure. When it’s time to eat he runs around his outdoor habitat excitedly doing laps until he is given a pile of greens.

After interacting with this amazing creature for the last five years I am convinced that he recognizes people.

Not just because they are “people” but he can tell the difference. He recognizes individuals. He is very intelligent. It’s funny to see him act shy sometimes and very outgoing at other times. I never thought sulcata tortoises could have such personality but they absolutely do.

Reptile Personality

Pet reptiles certainly have personalities. Though this might not go as far as your favorite Disney character, they can be very entertaining.

It’s interesting to see the range in personality from species to species as well as each individual animal. People are often surprised at just how intelligent and interactive they can be.

They aren’t quite the same as dogs or cats but they have their own special way of touching our hearts.

I did some research and here’s what I found.

Burmese pythons can actually make excellent pets for the right person. If you have the space and ability to care for a giant snake, Burmese pythons are a great choice.  They grow very fast, are very hardy and with regular handling, can become “dog tame”. 

We will discuss all the reasons Burmese pythons make great pets for some people and why they should be avoided by others. First, let’s learn more about them.

Interesting Facts About Burmese Pythons

• Where do they come from? – Burmese pythons come from the jungles and marshes of South East Asia especially Burma. They are also found in the southeastern part of the United States in Florida and Mississippi though they are not native to those areas and are considered an invasive species.

• How big do they get? – Burmese pythons are one of the largest species of snake in the world. They can reach more than 20 feet in length, weigh up to 200 or more pounds, and be as big around as a medium-sized tree.

• How long do they live? – Burmese pythons can live up to 20 years or more in captivity.

• What do they eat? – In the wild Burmese pythons eat small mammals, birds, and reptiles. Very large adult Burmese pythons can also eat pigs, goats, sheep, small deer, other mammals, and even alligators. In captivity, they are usually fed mice, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, chickens, and small pigs.

• Are they venomous? – Like all pythons, Burmese pythons are not venomous

• Why are they in Florida? – Yes, Burmese pythons are an established non-native species in Florida. It is believed this started when a hurricane destroyed a large python breeding facility and many snakes spread throughout the area. Escaped pets and pets purposely released into the wild, has made the situation worse. They are considered an invasive species.

• Do they have the ability to sense the heat of animals? – Yes, similar to pit vipers (very venomous snakes), Burmese pythons have special temperature-sensitive “pits,” along their jaws that can sense the heat of nearby animals. This allows them to find prey even in the darkest nights.

More About Burmese Pythons

Now that we know a little about them let’s look at what makes them a good pet for the right person and some things you should consider very seriously before buying one.

Burmese Pythons

• Are Easy to Find
• Affordable to buy
• Easy to care for
• Very Hardy
• Can be very docile
• Grow very large
• Have very interesting patterns

Considerations

• Handling adults is challenging
• Can be expensive to feed
• Require very large enclosures
• Have a bad reputation
• May be illegal to own
• Live a long time
• Are dangerous

Why Burmese Pythons Make Great Pets for the Right Person

Are Easy to Find

Burmese pythons are very common in the pet industry and have been for many years. They can often be found in pet stores, are nearly always at reptile expos, and can easily be found online.

Considering how large they can get, there are still surprisingly, quite a few people breeding them. It’s always best to buy captive bred and if possible, directly from the breeder.

Affordable to Buy

For being one of the largest snakes in the world, Burmese pythons are very inexpensive to buy. Babies usually cost around $200.  If you want an interesting color or pattern morph that price can climb quickly.

All things considered, when compared to other snakes that don’t get nearly as big, Burmese pythons are extremely affordable.

Easy to Care For

For someone who has space and a rather large budget to feed them, Burmese pythons are easy to care for if someone is committed.

Taking care of a Burmese python is not much different than taking care of other snakes commonly recommended for beginners, such as ball pythons or king snakes.

They will need:

• An enclosure
• Heat and humidity
• Substrate
• Water
• Food

All of these things are common in keeping other snakes. With a Burmese python, it’s just at a much larger scale. And this can be a really big difference.

Still, if you are committed to having one of the largest snakes in the world as a pet, its good to know that keeping one alive and caring for one is pretty straight forward if you have the means to do so.

Very Hardy

When given the right care Burmese pythons will live very long lives in captivity. (Up to 20 years or more) They are a very hardy animal and can tolerate mistakes in care. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t learn all you can about how to take care of one but it does mean you don’t have to worry about your pet snake dying if you don’t get things perfect.

Can Be Very Docile

Of the three largest snakes in the world; green anacondas, reticulated pythons, and Burmese pythons, Burmese pythons are well known for being the most docile and easy to handle.

This isn’t to say that these other gigantic snakes can’t be tame but Burmese pythons seem to be more naturally docile. They have a reputation of adapting to handling very well.

Burmese pythons are very often used in educational programs with kids. If you have ever seen a demonstrator pull out a very large yellow and white snake for all the kids to see and touch, it’s almost always an albino Burmese python.

As with all snakes, frequent interaction and handling is key to a long rewarding relationship. The more they become accustomed to you and other people the more docile and tame they can be. To hold, touch, pet and handle a truly large snake can be a very exciting experience for kids or anyone. 

Have Very Interesting Patterns

Burmese pythons are truly spectacular. They are not only large, but they have a classic jungle pattern that keeps them well camouflaged in their environment.  They are very interesting to look at.

I prefer their natural look but because they are easy to breed Burmese pythons are also available in many different color and pattern morphs. These morphs can certainly be more expensive but for a person with the right budget, it’s not difficult to own a truly unique giant snake.

Grow Very Large

Let’s face it. One of the reasons you may want a Burmese python is because they get so large. If you have been dreaming of owning a truly enormous pet snake Burmese pythons make an excellent choice.

Why Burmese Pythons Are Not the Right Pet for Most People

Handling Adults Is Challenging

Because of their size, adult Burmese pythons can be very challenging to handle. These snakes are very powerful and when they reach their full size, they can easily overpower even a very strong human being.

Expert breeders recommend always having at least two people around whenever handling a large constrictor.  Some recommend that you should have two people around even when feeding one.

This can be very problematic if you live alone or if your roommate, family member or friends are scared of snakes. In addition, a very large snake can harm you unintentionally just by their sheer mass and strength.

Can be Expensive to Feed

Feeding a Burmese python, in the beginning, will be just like feeding a ball python or boa but over time their meals will need to be much larger than mice and rats.

Owners of large pythons often feed them guinea pigs, rabbits, whole chickens, and even small pigs. This means you will need to have access to these food items and the budget to provide them, which can add up.

If the idea of feeding your snake, any of these cute animals is unnerving for you, then it’s best to choose a different snake. The cost of electricity needed to keep them warm year-round can also add up.

Require Very Large Enclosures

As your Burmese python grows it will need a very large enclosure. Around 4 feet by 8 feet for a large adult. Floor space is more important than height so the cage doesn’t need to be tall as much as it needs to be wide. We are talking about a very large cage.

This can certainly take up quite a bit of space. That’s a whole lot bigger than a big screen tv. Some owners give their giant snake an entire room in their house!

For most people, this simply isn’t an option.

Have a Bad Reputation

People tend to have irrational fears when it comes to snakes. When it comes to Burmese pythons there is no exception. In fact, it might be worse.

Regardless of how tame and docile they can be or how they might be used in educational programs for kids, they can strike uncontrollable fear in the hearts of many people.

The fire of fear has only been greatly stoked by the media over the years.  If a large constrictor gets free and is seen in someone’s yard, you will hear about it in the news. The report will likely focus on exaggerating, and sometimes completely inaccurately describing, the dangers of large snakes.

Because of this, you won’t know which of your neighbors may have irrational fears about large pet snakes. If your Burmese python gets loose, you better be prepared for some kind of fall out. And it likely won’t be pretty.

Even if your snake doesn’t get loose if a neighbor learns that you have one you could be in for a challenging and antagonizing situation. I personally don’t advertise that I have a large boa constrictor.

I sometimes take him outside in the backyard. (Never the front yard) We have high walls but even that is a risk because the neighbors may still be able to see.  

Owning a large constrictor is a big responsibility. Unfortunately, Burmese pythons have gotten a bad reputation over the years because of accidents, fear, the media, and of course their invasiveness in the Florida Everglades. 

This can add more complexity and more responsibility to owning one. Perhaps more so than any other snake. In some places, it’s not even legal to own a Burmese python.

May Not be Legal to Own

Burmese pythons have been the center of quite a bit of controversy over owning large reptiles as pets. In Florida, it is actually illegal to own one. This is obviously due to the widespread population of Burmese pythons in the Everglades.

The laws governing exotic pets change from time to time and it’s best that you check your local laws before you decide to purchase a large snake as your next pet.

Live a Long Time

Burmese pythons get very large and live a long time. This is a big commitment in many ways. Your snake is going to get big fast and stay big for many years.

In fact, they actually never stop growing. Their growth just slows considerably after they reach adulthood. Be sure that you plan and prepare not only for having a large snake but for having that snake for a very long time.

Are Dangerous

Burmese pythons are very large, powerful predators. And they actually have been responsible for human deaths. They deserve the utmost care and respect from their owners.

Remember if you own the snake you are responsible for the snake, and whatever that snake does. Researchers say, between 1978 and 2009, large snakes killed 16 people in the United States; at least seven of these deaths were attributed to captive Burmese pythons.

This is sobering. If you want to own a large snake you need to know that snake has the power to harm or even kill you. 

Let’s compare this to a much more popular pet animal. Dogs. According to dogsbite.org between 2005 and 2018, dogs killed 471 Americans. Wow. If dogs where a neighboring country, we would surley be going to war.

I actually love dogs, (don’t tell my family) but that’s more than 30 people a year! Compare that to 16 people in 31 years for very large snakes, and not all of those were Burmese pythons.

Further research shows that around 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs every year, and between 6,000 to 13,000 of those results in hospitalizing. Are dogs dangerous? Perhaps more people should be afraid of dogs.

To be fair, if people owned very large snakes like people own dogs, then the number of snake related injuries and deaths would be higher.

These data points are not meant to vilify dogs or snakes but rather to point out that keeping a large-sized animal as a pet carries with it, responsibility and risk.

Let’s not even talk about bees or their stinging cousins, wasps. I developed a healthy, let’s call it respect, for bees when I was about 17 years old and was attacked by a swarm of yellow jackets.  

It turns out that we don’t need to fear snakes and dogs nearly as much as we need to fear bees. According to the CDC, from 2000 to 2017, stings from bees and wasps were responsible for 1,109 deaths, or roughly 62 fatalities each year.

Obviously, this article is not about bees but Burmese pythons. Burmese pythons are dangerous and this is something you need to be aware of before considering one as a pet. It’s certainly a big reason such big snakes are not the best pet for most people.

It’s also important to keep things in perspective. There are a lot of dangerous things out there that have nothing to do with large snakes.

I love snakes! And, I have to say It’s always been in the back of my mind, how amazing it would be to have a giant snake as a pet. I love anacondas, reticulated pythons, and Burmese pythons. I’ve owned boas, but I’m not so sure I’m quite ready for a truly giant snake.

If you want a massive pet snake, Burmese pythons are considered by many the very best option. Owning a huge snake is a huge commitment.

They grow fast and require very large enclosures. And, it’s no small expense to feed them and keep them warm. They are big and very powerful. Perhaps they should be considered the king of snakes.

Unlike king snakes, Burmese pythons are actually dangerous. They can also be extremely docile and adapt to handling better than many other snakes commonly kept as pets.

Owning a big snake is no small commitment, but if it’s your dream to own a truly giant serpent, a Burmese python just might be the very best choice.