More and more American families are acquiring pet lizards. Statistics show that four million people in the U.S. now own one of these exotic pets.
There are many things to consider when purchasing pet lizards, from whether a lizard is the right pet for you to making sure you are going to be able to afford all the specialized equipment that lizards need to live.
When people or especially children see cute little pet lizards in shops and think how great it would be it to have one at home, they and their parents may not have thought about exactly what goes into owning pet lizards and whether one is the right choice for them or not.
First of all, that tiny, cute lizard may only be a baby and when full grown could be three feet to six feet in length. Make sure you ask a lot of questions about what size he will become and how much room he will need as an adult.
While pet lizards can make fantastic pets for some people, they are not for everyone. If you or your family plan on keeping the lizard in a two-foot rectangular glass enclosure, make sure the species you are considering will have enough space.
Make sure you will be able to provide the right food, and ask about what kind of lighting is necessary as some pet lizards require special and expensive UVA/UVB lighting equipment.
If you are expecting pet lizards to be cuddly, affectionate little pets, then you would probably be better off getting a puppy or a kitten. While some species are friendlier than others, many pet lizards prefer not to be touched at all.
Most reptile pets are also nocturnal, meaning that they will be sleeping when you are awake and vice-versa.
Salmonella illnesses are common among reptiles and can make humans very sick as well. According to the Associated Press, eleven percent of all salmonella cases in children are from reptiles–lizards and turtles. For this reason, pet lizards are not recommended for anyone with children under the age of five.
There are several small pet lizards that make good choices for beginners. Among these are the Leopard Gecko, which is small and relatively easy to take care of. A 15-20 gallon tank is large enough for them and they do not require any special lighting. Bearded Dragon is the name of another popular lizard for first-timers. They grow to be approximately a foot long and are quite docile.
Whatever you decide to do when checking out pet lizards, don’t forget to consider how long the lizard might live. Many lizards live to be ten to twenty years old, and so require quite a commitment. If you thoroughly examine all that’s involved beforehand, you can make a good choice about buying your lizard. That way you can enjoy your new pet for a lifetime.
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How many types of lizards are there in the World?
With 5000 different types of lizards in the world, you might think it hard to learn about all of them. However, the majority of lizards fall into groups (16 families) that can be identified by characteristics they have in common. Plus, all types of lizards have certain similarities.
All lizards are cold blooded and have bodies that are covered with scales. Most types of lizards live in trees, along river banks, or in the desert. The only place on earth with no lizards is Antarctica. There are about thirty different types of lizards in the United States.
Most lizards have four legs, ears and a tail. Some lizards can actually let their tail drop off if they are threatened and the predator grabs onto their tail. Most types of lizards eat insects but there are a few that eat vegetables, fruits and other plants.
All lizards have magnificent color vision and a well-developed sense of smell. One of their major ways of communicating with one another and detecting prey is through scent. Some types of lizards, such as chameleons can change their colors.
Lizards come in all sizes – the smallest is the Gecko which is only a few centimeters long and the largest is the Komodo Dragon which is three meters long. While most lizards are not enthused with being around or handled by human beings, the most they will do is bite, which for the most part is pretty harmless. A huge lizard like the Komodo Dragon will kill human beings.
Some types of lizards have only female offspring. Although most lizards do mate with male and female, there are around 30 types of lizards that reproduce without needing a male. All of these offspring are female, and in effect, clones of the mother lizard. Among those who reproduce in this way are the Whiptail Lizard that lives in the southwestern United States.
Among the types of lizards who lose their tails is the glass lizard. When a predator bites onto the tail it can snap off. Not only that it continues to wiggle for a while so the attacker thinks he still has something that is alive. During this time the glass lizard has time to escape.
The glass lizard doesn’t miss his tail and in time he will grow a new smaller tail. Other types of lizards like Geckos and Skinks can lose their tails many times and every time a new one grows back.
Some of the more interesting types of lizards are the Anguids, who have no limbs and the California legless lizard. The Glass Lizard also has no limbs and is often mistakenly identified as a snake. Iguanas are very large lizards that can grow up to six feet long. They live mostly in the tropics of Central and South America but some types of lizards in this family also inhabit the Southwestern U.S.
The most dangerous lizards are the Monitors, who are six feet long and eat birds, fish and any other animal they can catch. The Nile Monitor, the goanna of Australia, and the Komodo Dragon are in this family.
Lizard Names
PETSium offers many lizard pet names to choose from when naming your new pet. You can choose lizard pet names by gender with their full meanings. For more name inspiration check out our spider names and turtle names as well.
Male Lizard Names:
1.Lalor
Meaning: Leper
Origin: Irish
2. Nawkaw
Meaning: Wood (Winnebago)
Origin: Native American
3. Wulfhere
Meaning: Name of a king
Origin: Anglo-Saxon
4. Hargrove
Meaning: From the hare’s grove
Origin: English
5. Lludd
Meaning: Name of a king
Origin: Arthurian Legend
6. Ramiro
Meaning: Judicious
Origin: Spanish
7. Tyler
Meaning: Maker of tiles
Origin: English
8. Calder
Meaning: Rough waters.
Origin: Scottish
9. Mopsus
Meaning: A Seer
Origin: Greek
10. Sonny
Meaning: Son. A nickname and given name.
Origin: English
11. Bar
Meaning: Boar
Origin: Anglo-Saxon
12. Daylin
Meaning: Rhyming variant of Waylon – a historical blacksmith with supernatural powers.
Origin: English
13. Gervase
Meaning: Serves
Origin: English
14. Winchell
Meaning: Drawer of water
Origin: Anglo-Saxon
15. Tuckere
Meaning: Tucker of doth
Origin: English
16. Rishim
Meaning: Sage
Origin: Sanskrit
17. Douglass
Meaning: From the dark river. The Scottish Douglas clan had two historical branches: (Black Douglases and Red Douglases.) The lords of these clans figure in Sir Walter Scott’s novels.
Origin: Scottish
18. Sanderson
Meaning: Alexander’s son
Origin: English
19. Royan
Meaning: Red-haired: red.
Origin: Irish
20. Traigh
Meaning: Strand
Origin: Irish
21. Fenton
Meaning: From the farm on the fens
Origin: English
22. Scandy
Meaning: Boisterous
Origin: English
23. Keary
Meaning: Dark
Origin: Celtic
24. Nocturne
Meaning: Music evoking night
Origin: Gothic
25. Daryl
Meaning: Beloved, Dear
Origin: English
26. Helaku
Meaning: Full of sun
Origin: Native American
27. Raedwolf
Meaning: Red wolf
Origin: English
28. Patrick
Meaning: Patrician: noble. Romans society was divided into plebeians: (commoners) and patricians: (aristocrats). Saint Patrick – patron saint of Ireland.
Origin: Irish
29. Renton
Meaning: From the raven farm
Origin: English
30. Gurgalan
Meaning: A pagan king
Origin: Arthurian Legend
31. Kevin
Meaning: Gentle
Origin: Celtic
32. Sewati
Meaning: Curved bear claw (Miwok)
Origin: Native American
33. McCloud
Meaning: Son of the ugly man
Origin: Scottish
34. Erwin
Meaning: Friend of the sea
Origin: English
35. Yehuda
Meaning: Praised
Origin: Hebrew
36. Tirell
Meaning: Thunder ruler
Origin: English
37. Lavy
Meaning: Lion cub
Origin: Jewish
38. Hero
Meaning: Warrior, Defender
Origin: Greek
39. Alfred
Meaning: Name of a king
Origin: Anglo-Saxon
40. Jumbo
Meaning: Large
Origin: English
41. Adriano
Meaning: Dark: Variant of Adrian. From Adria.: The Adriatic sea region
Origin: Spanish
42. Wingate
Meaning: From the winding gate
Origin: English
43. Irvin
Meaning: White
Origin: Celtic
44. Senet
Meaning: Wise
Origin: French
45. Morrisey
Meaning: Son of More
Origin: English
46. Arlie
Meaning: From the hare’s meadow
Origin: English
47. Bevis
Meaning: From Beauvais
Origin: French
48. Langleah
Meaning: From the long meadow
Origin: English
49. Latimer
Meaning: Interprets Latin
Origin: French
50. Uri
Meaning: God is my light
Origin: Hebrew
51. Chris
Meaning: Abbreviation of Christopher and Christian.
Origin: English
52. Clyve
Meaning: Lives at the cliffs
Origin: English
53. Corlan
Meaning: Spear-bearer
Origin: Irish
54. Sheply
Meaning: From the sheep meadow
Origin: Anglo-Saxon
55. Ryons
Meaning: A Welsh king
Origin: Arthurian Legend
56. Bates
Meaning: Variant of Bartholomew often used as a surname.
Origin: English
57. Evarado
Meaning: Hardy, brave
Origin: Spanish
58. Amery
Meaning: Ridge, long hill
Origin: Irish
59. Jakeem
Meaning: Raised up
Origin: Arabic
60. Borak
Meaning: The lightning. Al Borak was the legenday magical horse that bore Muhammad from earth to the seventh heaven
Origin: Arabic
61. Alrick
Meaning: Rules all. The historical Gothic king who plundered Rome in A.D. 410.
Origin: German
62. Raedan
Meaning: Advises
Origin: Anglo-Saxon
63. Etu
Meaning: Sun
Origin: Native American
64. Rushe
Meaning: Red haired
Origin: French
65. Blase
Meaning: Lisp: stutter. Blaise Pascal was a brilliant seventeenth century child prodigy: mathematician: scientist and philosopher who invented the calculating machine and hydraulic press before dying at age thirty-nine.
Origin: French
66. Deaglan
Meaning: Name of a saint
Origin: Irish
67. Trennen
Meaning: Divides
Origin: German
68. Henwas
Meaning: Mythical brother of Henbeddestr
Origin: Celtic
69. Sruthan
Meaning: Poet
Origin: Irish
70. Benson
Meaning: Son of Benjamin
Origin: Hebrew
71. Yago
Meaning: Supplanter
Origin: Spanish
72. Ewyn
Meaning: Young
Origin: Celtic
73. Ranell
Meaning: Strong counselor. From the ancient personal name Ragnar.
Origin: English
74. Toukere
Meaning: Tucker of doth
Origin: English
75. Balmoral
Meaning: From the majestic village
Origin: Scottish
76. Parisch
Meaning: Lives near the church
Origin: English
77. Elim
Meaning: Oasis
Origin: Hebrew
78. Tag
Meaning: Handsome. Variant of Teague.
Origin: Irish
79. Gerrald
Meaning: Form of Gerald rules by the spear.
Origin: German
80. Frillard
Meaning: Frill-necked lizard, yellow with gold spots
Origin: Character in Animal Crossing
Female Lizard Names:
1. Janea
Meaning: God is gracious
Origin: English
2. Zohra
Meaning: Venus or Evening Star
Origin: Arabic, Persian
3. Arub
Meaning: Loves her husband
Origin: Arabic
4. Erie
Meaning: From Ireland
Origin: Celtic
5. Roanne
Meaning: Rugged Land. Alternate Spelling: Rowann, Roann, Rowanne, Roanne.
Origin: Old English
6. Eileen
Meaning: Light Variant of Evelyn.
Origin: Irish
7. Lyndsey
Meaning: A lake: a place of linden trees.
Origin: English
8. Kecia
Meaning: Abbreviation of Lakeisha. Great joy.
Origin: English
9. Caitrin
Meaning: Variant of Katherine meaning pure
Origin: Irish
10. Edelina
Meaning: Spoils of war.
Origin: English
11. Shunnareh
Meaning: Pleasant
Origin: Arabic
12. Skyller
Meaning: Sky. Variant of Schuyler meaning scholar.
Origin: American
13. Amarissa
Meaning: Given by God
Origin: Hebrew
14. Battzion
Meaning: Daughter of Zion
Origin: Hebrew
15. Shawna
Meaning: Variant of Shaun.
Origin: Celtic
16. Alsatia
Meaning: From Alsace – a region in France.
Origin: English
17. Terilynn
Meaning: Abbreviation of Teresa which is a popular saint’s name of uncertain meaning.
Origin: English
18. Oota Dabun
Meaning: Day star (Algonquin)
Origin: Native American
19. Una
Meaning: One
Origin: English
20. Cenobia
Meaning: Spanish form of Zenobia born of Zeus
Origin: Spanish
21. Nocturne
Meaning: Music evoking night
Origin: Gothic
22. Elli
Meaning: Devoted to God
Origin: Hebrew
23. Lorene
Meaning: Variant of Laura or Lora referring to the laurel tree or sweet bay tree symbolic of honor and victory.
Origin: English
24. Meara
Meaning: Happy, Jolly or Jovial
Origin: Irish
25. Kimbra
Meaning: From the royal fortress meadow
Origin: English
26. Jollene
Meaning: A well-established compound of Jo-
Origin: English
27. Raychel
Meaning: Variant of Rachel.
Origin: American
28. Wenona
Meaning: Firstborn daughter
Origin: Native American
29. Kerianna
Meaning: Dusky – Dark
Origin: Irish
30. Sorcha
Meaning: Intelligent
Origin: Irish
31. Mystique
Meaning: Air of mystery
Origin: French
32. Edrea
Meaning: Powerful
Origin: Hebrew
33. Dyllan
Meaning: Born from waves
Origin: Welsh
34. Ethne
Meaning: Fire
Origin: Celtic
35. Selma
Meaning: Comely
Origin: Celtic
36. Eulalie
Meaning: Well – spoken
Origin: French
37. Aurear
Meaning: Gentle music
Origin: English
38. Felice
Meaning: Happy
Origin: Latin
39. Charlize
Meaning: Variant of Charles
Origin: German
40. Torrey
Meaning: Derived from Victoria triumphant
Origin: English
41. Michela
Meaning: Feminine of Michael gift from God.
Origin: French
42. Blaire
Meaning: Field of battle.
Origin: Scottish
43. Bailey
Meaning: Courtyard within castle walls: steward or public official. Surname or given name.
Origin: English
44. Laurenne
Meaning: From Laurentium: the place of the laurel trees: place of honor and victory. Feminine of Lawrence.
Origin: English
45. Gertrude
Meaning: From the protected farm
Origin: German
46. Adele
Meaning: Good humor: Of the nobility. Noble.
Origin: French
47. Anate
Meaning: A singer
Origin: Hebrew
48. Autumn
Meaning: Born in the fall: The fall season.
Origin: English
49. Raleigh
Meaning: Blessing to earth.
Origin: Old English
50. Armonie
Meaning: A Priceless Gift From The Heavens
Origin: Italian
51. Dania
Meaning: From Denmark. Also a feminine variant of Daniel God will judge.
Origin: English
52. Tristen
Meaning: Feminine of Tristan noisy – full of sorrows and/or a rhyming variant of Christa
Origin: English
53. Anuva
Meaning: A new beginning
Origin: Russian
54. Lynessa
Meaning: Variant of ancient Welsh given name. In Arthurian legend Lynette accompanied Sir Gareth on a knightly quest.
Origin: Arthurian Legend
55. Ida
Meaning: Thirsty
Origin: Irish
56. Aubree
Meaning: Rules with elf-wisdom.
Origin: English
57. Zemirah
Meaning: Joyous melody
Origin: Hebrew
58. Gaila
Meaning: Joyful. Abbreviation of Abigail. Gael is a term for descendants of the ancient Celts in Scotland: Ireland and the Isle of Man.
Origin: English
59. Edmunda
Meaning: Wealthy defender
Origin: Anglo-Saxon
60. Elia
Meaning: Jehovah is God
Origin: Hebrew
61. Ariana
Meaning: Silver
Origin: Welsh
62. Daryl
Meaning: Tenderly loved
Origin: Anglo-Saxon
63. Chiara
Meaning: Dark. Feminine of Ciaran.
Origin: Irish
64. Ellaine
Meaning: Shining light. Variant of Helen.
Origin: French
65. Kendal
Meaning: Royal valley referring to Kent in England.
Origin: English
66. Simone
Meaning: Loud
Origin: Hebrew
67. Eadlin
Meaning: Princess
Origin: Anglo-Saxon
68. Qeturah
Meaning: Incense
Origin: Hebrew
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