Some lizards are popular choices for pets because of their manageable size, gentle nature, and fascinating behaviors. They are often easy to care for once their basic needs are understood, making them suitable companions for both beginners and experienced reptile keepers. Their calm temperament and unique personalities make them enjoyable to watch and interact with.
These reptiles require specific living conditions that mimic their natural environment. A proper enclosure with the right temperature, humidity, and lighting is essential for their health. Many need a heat source to regulate body temperature, as they rely on external warmth to stay active and digest food properly.
Diet plays a major role in their well-being. Most pet species thrive on a diet of insects, fruits, or vegetables, depending on their natural preferences. Providing a balanced and varied diet ensures healthy growth, bright coloration, and strong immune systems. Regular feeding schedules and proper supplementation help maintain their overall vitality.
Their enclosures should also include areas for climbing, hiding, and basking. These features encourage natural behaviors and reduce stress. Many owners enjoy decorating their habitats with plants, rocks, and logs to create a realistic miniature ecosystem that the reptile can explore comfortably.
Handling these pets requires patience and gentle care. Over time, they can become accustomed to human contact and may even recognize their owners. However, it’s important to minimize stress and handle them properly to prevent injury or fear. Respecting their boundaries leads to a stronger bond and a healthier pet.
Lizards that You Can Have as Pets
Leopard Gecko (Eublepharis macularius)
Leopard geckos are arguably the best beginner lizard. They are small, docile, and easy to handle. They are crepuscular (active at dawn/dusk), have simple dietary needs (insects), and do not require UVB lighting, though it is still recommended. Their vocalizations and personable nature make them endearing.
Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps)
Known as the “golden retriever of the lizard world,” bearded dragons are famous for their calm, tolerant demeanor and seeming enjoyment of human interaction. They are diurnal (active during the day), have an omnivorous diet, and are very hardy with proper setup, which includes a spacious enclosure and strong UVB lighting.
Crested Gecko (Correlophus ciliatus)
Crested geckos revolutionized the pet reptile hobby. They are arboreal, can be housed in a tall terrarium, and thrive on a commercially available powdered diet mixed with water, making feeding simple. They are handleable with care (though they can be jumpy) and come in a vast array of colors and patterns (morphs).
Blue-Tongued Skink (Tiliqua spp.)
These are intelligent, inquisitive, and stout lizards with a wonderfully unique defense mechanism: flashing their bright blue tongue. They are generally calm and become quite tame, often learning to recognize their owner. They are omnivores with a varied diet and are terrestrial, requiring a long, spacious enclosure.
Argentine Black and White Tegu (Salvator merianae)
For an experienced keeper seeking a “dog-like” reptile, the tegu is a top contender. They are large, intelligent, and can form strong bonds with their owners, sometimes seeking out affection. They require a massive enclosure, a varied omnivorous diet, and a significant commitment of time and resources.
Uromastyx (Uromastyx spp.)
Also known as spiny-tailed lizards, Uromastyx are strictly herbivorous, diurnal, and thrive in hot, arid enclosures. They are often described as having bold, curious personalities and can be very colorful. Their herbivorous diet can be a plus for owners who prefer not to handle live insects.
Chinese Water Dragon (Physignathus cocincinus)
These lizards are beautiful and active, resembling small iguanas. While they can be skittish and require a very large, tall enclosure with a significant water feature, they can become quite tame with consistent, gentle handling. They are insectivores and require high humidity.
Gargoyle Gecko (Rhacodactylus auriculatus)
A close relative of the Crested Gecko, Gargoyle Geckos share similar care requirements, including a powdered diet. They are slightly more robust and have a calmer, less jumpy disposition, making them excellent for handling. Their bumpy skin and horn-like head bumps give them a unique, prehistoric appearance.
Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis)
Often a child’s first reptile, anoles are small, inexpensive, and readily available. They are insectivores and are fun to watch as they display and hunt. However, they are fragile and can be stressed by handling, so they are better suited as a “display” pet rather than a hands-on companion.
African Fat-Tailed Gecko (Hemitheconyx caudicinctus)
Similar in care and temperament to the Leopard Gecko, the Fat-tailed Gecko is often even more docile and slower-moving. They are nocturnal, have simple insectivore needs, and are named for their plump, carrot-shaped tail used for fat storage. They prefer slightly higher humidity than their leopard gecko cousins.
Panther Chameleon (Furcifer pardalis)
Prized for their breathtaking, vibrant colors, Panther Chameleons are a “look, don’t touch” pet. They are best for experienced keepers who can meet their specific needs for high humidity, specialized drinking habits (dripping water), and a tall, well-ventilated enclosure. They are fascinating to observe but easily stressed by handling.
Ackie Monitor (Varanus acanthurus)
As the smallest commonly kept monitor species, the Ackie Monitor offers the intelligence and personality of a monitor lizard in a manageable size. They are incredibly active, inquisitive, and will learn to recognize their owner. They require a hot, dry enclosure with deep substrate for digging and a varied carnivorous diet.
Fire Skink (Lepidothyris fernandi)
Why they’re a good pet: This skink is a stunning display animal with a fiery pattern of reds, oranges, and blacks. While often shy and prone to burrowing, they can become quite tame with patience. They are terrestrial and require a humid, tropical enclosure with plenty of hiding spots and a diet of insects.
Savannah Monitor (Varanus exanthematicus)
Often sold as small juveniles, these monitors grow into large, powerful lizards. They can become very tame with extensive, consistent handling. They require a massive, custom-built enclosure and a specialized diet of whole prey (not just insects) to prevent obesity. A major commitment for an experienced keeper.
Knight Anole (Anolis equestris)
The largest of the anoles, the Knight Anole is a bold, large, and impressive lizard for an arboreal setup. They can be aggressive and are not for handling, but they are intelligent and display interesting behaviors. They are insectivores and require a tall, humid enclosure.
Standing’s Day Gecko (Phelsuma standingi)
One of the largest day geckos, this species is a spectacularly colorful display animal. They are diurnal, active, and fun to watch but are very fast and have fragile skin, making them unsuitable for handling. They require a tall, planted terrarium and a diet of fruit mixes and insects.
Schneider’s Skink (Eumeces schneideri)
A hardy and social skink, Schneider’s Skinks can often be kept in small groups. They are active burrowers and are fun to watch as they “swim” through their substrate. They are generally docile and can become hand-tame, accepting a diet of insects and some vegetables.
Green Basilisk (Basiliscus plumifrons)
Also known as the “Jesus Christ Lizard” for its ability to run on water, this is a stunning, exotic pet. They are very skittish and require a very large, tall enclosure with a significant water feature. They are best for advanced keepers who want a challenging but rewarding display animal.
Pink-Tongued Skink (Cyclodomorphus gerrardii)
Similar in shape to a blue-tongued skink but with a sleek, gray body and a distinctive pink tongue. They are generally docile, handleable, and have unique dietary needs, feeding primarily on snails and slugs in the wild, which can be substituted with a prepared diet and canned snails.
Mossy Leaf-Tailed Gecko (Uroplatus sikorae)
The ultimate masters of camouflage, these geckos are incredible display animals for a naturalistic, bioactive terrarium. They are strictly nocturnal and should not be handled due to their delicate skin and stress-prone nature. They require a cool, humid, vertical enclosure and a diet of insects.
Sudan Plated Lizard (Gerrhosaurus major)
A unique, diurnal lizard with heavy, plated armor. They are terrestrial and spend much of their time digging. While initially shy, they can become quite tame and are generally calm. They are omnivorous, eating a mix of insects, vegetables, and fruits.
Central Netted Dragon (Ctenophorus nuchalis)
An active, small, and hardy Australian desert dragon. They are diurnal, fun to watch, and have relatively simple care requirements including a hot, dry setup with UVB lighting. They are insectivorous and can become quite confident in a well-structured enclosure.
Jeweled Lacerta (Timon lepidus)
A stunning, large, and intelligent lizard from Europe, often compared to a small tegu in personality. With patience and consistent handling, they can become very tame and display curious, dog-like behaviors. They require a spacious, semi-arid enclosure and are omnivorous.
Crocodile Skink (Tribolonotus spp.)
A unique “look, don’t touch” pet known for its prehistoric, crocodile-like appearance. They are shy, secretive, and require a humid, tropical enclosure with a water feature for soaking. They are fascinating to observe but will play dead if stressed, so they are not for handling.
Long-Tailed Grass Lizard (Takydromus sexlineatus)
A delicate, slender, and active insectivore. Their extremely long tail and graceful movements make them fascinating to watch in a well-planted terrarium. They are very fast and flighty, making them better as display pets rather than for handling. They do well in small groups.
Mexican Alligator Lizard (Abronia graminea)
An arboreal, stunningly beautiful emerald-green lizard. They require specialized care including a cool, humid, vertical enclosure (a “vivarium”) and are best for experienced keepers. They are generally a display animal due to their delicate nature and specific needs.
Peter’s Banded Skink (Scincopus fasciatus)
A striking, fossorial (burrowing) skink with a bold black-and-yellow banded pattern. They are calm, slow-moving, and can become quite tame. They spend much of their time underground but will emerge for food, making a sighting a special event. They are insectivorous.
Asian Water Dragon (Physignathus cocincinus)
These are beautiful, active lizards that can become very tame with persistent, gentle handling. They require a very large, tall enclosure with a significant water area for swimming and high humidity. They are insectivorous and omnivorous.
Leachianus Gecko (Rhacodactylus leachianus)
The world’s largest gecko, also known as the “New Caledonian Giant Gecko.” They are a massive, impressive pet with a range of vocalizations. While not for frequent handling, they can be target-trained and are fascinating display animals. They thrive on a powdered diet and require a tall, sturdy enclosure.
Common Collared Lizard (Crotaphytus collaris)
A brightly colored, diurnal, and alert lizard from the American desert. They are known for their speed, intelligence, and ability to run bipedally. They can become quite tame with careful handling and require a hot, dry, rocky enclosure. They are primarily insectivorous.