First lizard :D

[HoffOff]

G'day all, finally thinking about taking the plunge into reptiles..
I've been into fish keeping for about 4 years, but i want something a little different now . I'm wondering what the best beginners lizards are?, I'm willing for alot of work on looking after them, i've raised some pretty difficult fish, are reptiles harder? .
I've got a family member into reptiles, and she said my best bet is to start off with a beardie, But to me, there kinda bland :/. is there anything else that's as easy but a little bit more.. colourful?.
thanks all

 

[harley0402]

hi, ridge tail monitors are cool

 

[Reffy]

i know you said that you think they are kinda bland but From what i have hear bearded dragons are good first timer's, i just got my first lizard today he is a red face central beardie and placid as anything xD,
Umm eastern water Dragon?
Frilly?
good luck choosing

 

[HoffOff]

Umm eastern water Dragon?=

Mm, see i really like them, but i've been told there not really a good beginner lizard?.
can anyone agree with this?

 

[Snakeluvver2]

Water Dragons get big and require a bit of space.

Small monitors are awesome.
Dead simple too look after, very active and can be trained to a certain extent.
Ackies, Tristis Orientalis are some good example. Pygmy Mulga Monitors as well.

Just add heat and food, and you'll have a very entertaining lizard.

 

[richoman_3]

reptiles are much easier to keep than fish
for a first lizard a bluey or a beardie are the easiest to care for

 

[HoffOff]

Ackies, i've heard of them, how big of a enclosure would i need?.
I have a 48"long, 19-20" tall 18" wide tank, i'm thinking that's too small?

 

[Tit4n]

The only good handling lizard for "beginner" would be a central beardie. If you want something that requires less attention look into geckos as they wont require special lighting/uv etc.

Every beardie has his/her own character, and most would compare them to a pet dog. Theres lots of different colours to chose from.

If you dont really care for handling then look into monitors.
Keep in mind you will need UV tube light, spot light for basking and CHE for colder nights. Feeding twice a day with special diet while theyre young etc.

Please clarify your exact need

 

[HoffOff]

Don't care about handling, like i've said i'm used to fish.. no handling what-so-ever .
I love monitors, i just love their look.
Also, what's a CHE?

 

[JAS101]

i say get a central beardie , get some experiance up then get monitors .

 

[jinin]

maybe Central Netted Dragons, not the best to handle thought.

 

[GeneticProject]

Eastern water dragons are generally flighty lizards, frill necks are on a specialist license depending on where u are so not much chance of getting them, if u think beardies are plain and boring search here for some of rick walkers Vitticeps, or Sazs Whites.
Beardies are a good beginner pet when it comes to reptiles as long as you have the right amount of UV and give them the right diet all of which can be found on http://www.beautifuldragons.503xtreme.com/home.html i keep and breed high red and high yellow beardies as well as pygmys and they are fantastic reptiles and good pets for beginners.

Cheers Barf

 

[Grogshla]

check out boyd's dragon

 

[jesskie]

Eastern Water Skinks

 

[chickensnake]

Eastern Water Skinks

X a billion!!!

 

[the jungle guy]

check out boyd's dragon

and he might aswell get a GTP to ay,

boyds are imo not a good beginner lizard they have much higher requirements which you need experience to care for thoroughly
you can go past a nice central beardy and once you see there little personalties they wont be so bland thats a promise as said before you can get some nice colours these days and there not so expensive, although the setup isnt cheap initially if you search the forum i wrote up a care sheet a while back about beardies that would give you agood run down on there husbandry

 

[bucket]

i'm a newbie to beared dragon's are good very friendly like humans easy to figuire out what there doing & slow water dragons are fast as hell can do 1000miles an hour, trun your back and there gone where beared dragons sit around. males do there head rock very funny

 

[Dannyboi]

Storr's monitor or a blue tongue, stumpy?? all easy to keep

 

[Dannyboi]

BTW if you change your mind about the beardys a mate has just bred hers and will be selling them cheap

 

[Defective]

reptiles are much easier to keep than fish
for a first lizard a bluey or a beardie are the easiest to care for

i can testify this!!!! i can't keep a goldfish alive for more than 24hrs and the only fish i managed to keep for a period of time was a Siamese fighting fish. i'm a fish assassin!!! but my central beardie if fun, loves shirt surfing, and hyperactive. gives me so much fun and a willingness to wake up in the morning.

Also, what's a CHE?

a Ceramic Heat Emitter