First Lizard

[ozphobia]

Hi All,

I am looking to buy my first lizard, mainly aimed at my two boys (4&7), I was leaning toward a blue tongue as they seem to be the most bullet proof to start with.

Any recommendations?

Cheers
john

 

[Tatelina]

Yah get a blue tongue. I think alot of people start with them.. I miss my one.
Or bearded dragons. They are gorgeous too. But if I had a 4 year old.. I would start with a blue tongue.

 

[DA_GRIZ]

i'd say bearded dragon.

there are all differentm sizes i think the pygmy only gets to about 20-30cm i think.centrals about 50cm and easterns a little bigger.

i can post pics of my beardies later if u want.

 

[OzRocks]

I would go with a bearded dragon for sure.....they are extremely friendly, bomb proof, more active then bluey's yet will just hang about sitting on your shoulder.They are alot more intersting looking aswell....Central Bearded's are usually more easier to find and better looking then eastern's .....(personal opinion)

 

[shelli3]

i would also say a bearded dragon. I have two and my 2 1/2 year old girl loves them. Teach your kids to be gentle and they are a great pet. My jordyn even likes feeding them crickets.

 

[Houdini]

I would say a central bearded dragon would be the best pet to start with. Pygmy bearded dragons are good, nd smaller as well, but they are more easily harmed. The central beardies are really tough. They do take a fair bit of work, cleaning poo and feeding them twice a day when they are young. When they get older and mainly eat vegies, they're easier to care for.

Go with a beardie. They have a great personality too.

 

[Chris1]

definately a beardy, theyre the best!!!

 

[liasis]

blue tonuges or inland beardies

 

[rep61]

We have kids 3 ,5, 7 ,10 - could not decide and ended up with both bluey's & beardies!

Both have their good points - bluey's quiet, and very easy as far as setup, beardies - really entertaining - but a little more work.

Watch out though - it's addictive - they all really want a snake too! LOL

 

[DA_GRIZ]

like i said before i reacon beardies.

i don't handle my beardies much and they are so placid

 

[ozphobia]

Thanks All,

Look like a bearded is the way to go.

And just for the record I have two jungles already, I am just expanding to a more easy to handle i.e. palm sized reptile.

Cheers again
John

 

[OuZo]

Ahhhh a beardie, what a good choice! It's lucky I have some hatchies for sale hey? *plug plug* Lol

 

[reece89]

i say blue tongue cause if ur kid accidently drops a beardie well they can run lol bluey on the other hand arnt as fast lol

 

[Cylias]

If you would drop a lizard, couldnt that kill it?

 

[SLACkra]

imo if you have little ones handling the reptiles have them sitting down on the ground and have them keep the reptile close to the ground just in case of accidental dropping.

never kept beardies or blue toungues so i can't really give any opinion on that. my first lizards were aligator lizards which i caught and kept for a short period then released.(native skink to Vancouver). Possibly a couple blue tounges would be better as if you get a male and female you can breed them. Its a great experience, one year with the aligator lizards i caught 2 gravid females and kept them over winter and then got to release them and their 12 bubs.

andrew

just to prevent any flaming i don't condone catching herps so that you can have a short term pet. When i did that capturing i was around 6-8 years old so that was 10-12 years ago!

 

[Chrisreptile]

yeh a blue tongue is a good slow speed, whereas a beardy can be quick, i have to chase them sometimes.

 

[dragons75]

Ive got kids aged 1,3 and 7 and can't reccomend beardys highly enough the kids love them can handle them and they are highly entertaining to watch go the beardys

 

[shamous1]

Lacey

Get a Lace Monitor. I'm sure it would love the little kids.

Central Bearded Dragons are the logical choice. Blue tounges are pretty easy but no where near as entertaining as CBD's are IMO. Blue Tongues won't sit there and wave at you from inside their tank. They don't head bob either. CBD's have real character.

 

[jamesr]

yeh a blue tongue is a good slow speed, whereas a beardy can be quick, i have to chase them sometimes.

yea same but the only thing is if you want something a bit more pretty and bit more of a personally then you need to take care of it more and you want a beardie. I have both beardies and a bluey and other than cleaning cages (blueys are smelly:lol: ) i take care of my beardies a lot more but its worth it.
i reckon if you want something easy then a bluey but i like my beardies more
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[jgrace]

Go for a Shingleback!

Less nippy than a bluey, easy to take care of and tonnes of personality. I haven't get seen a kid come across one and not be delighted. (I know I am)