The Lizard Keeper's Handbook

CHAPTER 3

SOME RECOMMENDED INSECT-EATING LIZARDS

There are several insect-eating lizards that do better in captivity than others. The following sections highlight those that are recommended for keepers, followed by a list of those that are difficult to keep.

Geckos (Families Eublepharidae and Gekkonidae)

Overall, this diverse group of lizards of more than 900 species is very adaptable to captivity. More species in this family are captive-bred than in any other. However, some of the terrestrial species and tropical forest species can be delicate and may need specialized care.

Leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius) are now selectively bred in a variety of colors and patterns.

Some geckos rank among the most beautiful of lizards; others have bizarre and interesting forms, such as the leaf-tail geckos. Their eyes are some of the most remarkable in the animal world. Among popular favorites there are leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius), African fat-tailed geckos (Hemitheconyx), day geckos (Phelsuma), Tokay geckos (Gecko gecko), flying geckos (Ptychozoon), prehensile-tailed geckos (Rhacodactylus), and frog-eyed geckos (Teratoscincus).

Agamid Lizards

No generalizations can be made about agamine lizards; they comprise a very diverse group of lizards. Some species are very adaptable to captivity, such as inland bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps), the clown agamas of the pet trade (Laudakia stellio brachydactyla), and green water dragons (Physignathus cocincinus). Other species, such as members of the genera Gonocephalus, Draco, and Calotes are best recommended for specialists because of their narrow environmental constraints. Some species are especially difficult, such as toad-head agamas (Phrynocephalus) and several species in the genus Agama.

Water dragons (Physignathus cocincinus) adapt fairly easily to captivity.

The veiled chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus) is the easiest of all the chameleons to keep in captivity.

True Chameleons (Family Chamaeleonidae; subfamily Chamaeleonidae)

Most true chameleon species are best considered moderately to highly difficult to keep in captivity. Even the longevity of many species in the wild is quite short. However, the veiled chameleon from Yemen (Chamaeleo calyptratus) has proven very adaptable to captivity and is now being bred in increasing numbers by herpetoculturists in the United States. The panther chameleon from Madagascar (Furcifer pardalis) has also proven quite adaptable. Major breakthroughs in the care and breeding of chameleons have recently led to increasing success with these fascinating lizards.

Basilisks (Genus Basiliscus)

Basilisks are generally hardy once they are established. They have a few basic requirements such as large enclosures, preferably including plants. The brown basilisk (Basiliscus basiliscus) and the spectacular green or double-crested basilisk (Basiliscus plumifrons) are now bred in some numbers.

Anoles (Genus Anolis)

Many species of anoles, including the popular green anole (Anolis carolinensis), fare well in captivity and breed regularly. The green anole and the brown anole (Anolis sagrei) are highly recommended for beginners and display well in naturalistic vivaria. The knight anole (Anolis equestris), introduced into Florida from Cuba, is the largest of the genus. It is very adaptable to captivity and is regularly available. This genus has generally been neglected by American herpetoculturists because of their small size and low commercial value. However, many species make outstanding vivarium display animals.

Basilisks, such as this Basiliscus vittatus, are generally hardy in captivity.

Curly-Tailed Lizards (Genus Leiocephalus)

The terrestrial curly-tailed lizards (Leiocephalus) are generally hardy and highly recommended as vivarium lizards.

Girdle-Tailed Lizards and African Plated Lizards (Family Cordylidae and Gherrosauridae)

Members of the genera Cordylus, Pseudocordylus, and Gerrhosaurus are generally hardy captives, as are some of the larger Madagascar plated lizards (Zonosaurus), such as Zonosaurus maximus and Zonosaurus quadrilineatus. Some of the Gerrhosaurus, such as Gerrhosaurus major, become quite tame.

Lacertas (Family Lacertidae)

Many of the lacertids adapt very well to captivity, particularly species of Lacerta and Podarcis. Several species have been bred in captivity. Beyond making good display animals, many become tame.

Skinks (Family Scincidae)

Many species of skinks fare well in captivity if provided the proper type of vivarium. Desert-dwelling burrowers, such as ocellated skinks (Chalcides ocellatus) and sandfish (Scincus scincus), should be provided with sand to burrow in. Tropical forest skinks and temperate forest skinks should have a substrate to burrow in, as well as climbing areas of cork bark. Obtaining information on a species' habitat will be important in determining the proper vivarium design.

Legless Lizards

These are the limbless members of the family Anguidae. The two European species are easily maintained in captivity. One slow worm lizard (Anguis fragilis) allegedly lived in captivity to the ripe old age of fifty-four years. The largest species, the sheltopusik (Ophisaurus apodus) of southeastern Europe and southwestern Asia, is occasionally imported and very hardy. However, these two species should be cooled down in the winter to do well long term. The U.S. species are somewhat more difficult to keep in captivity.

Although often dismissed by hobbyists, green anoles (Anolis carolinensis) make excellent vivarium subjects.

Monitor Lizards (Family Varanidae)

Smaller species of monitors are insectivorous and are occasionally offered by specialized reptile dealers. Australian ridge-tailed monitors (Varanus acanthurus) and other dwarf monitors are now readily available as captive-bred specimens. Green tree monitors (Varanus prasinus) and Timor monitors (Varanus timorensis), currently imported in small numbers from Indonesia, are primarily insectivorous. Nearly all the larger monitor species start off as insect-eating lizards before graduating to become vertebrate-eating carnivores.

Difficult Species

The following species are difficult to keep alive long-term in captivity and are recommended for specialists only:

Australian moloch (Moloch horridus)

Butterfly agama (Leiolepis belliana)

Horned lizards (Phrynosoma)

Toad-headed agamas (Phrynocephalus)

The following are moderately difficult and are not recommended for beginners, primarily because of their environmental requirements such as higher humidity combined with ventilation or the need for a UVB source:

Bent-toed geckos (Cyrtodactylus)

Prehensile-tailed iguanids (Polychrus marmoratus)

Casque-headed lizard (Corytophanes cristatus)

Tree dragons (Gonocephalus and Calotes species)

Whip-tailed lizards (Cnemidophorus species)

Many Chilean species, such as Liolaemus)

True chameleons, except Chamaeleo calyptratus and Furcifer pardalis

Captive-Bred Versus Wild-Caught

Regardless of species, captive-bred lizards generally fare considerably better than wild-caught lizards because they are less likely to be infested with parasites or have diseases. Indeed, captive-bred lizards that have been established over several generations have a proven history of adapting to captivity. Unfortunately, relatively few species of insect-eating lizards are currently bred on a large commercial scale. Of these, the best known are the leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius) and crested gecko (Rhacodactylus ciliatus), possibly the easiest of all lizards to keep in captivity. The Australian inland bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps), a delightful and personable species, is now being bred in increasing numbers (a few thousand annually), and its availability is expected to increase. Although bearded dragons are somewhat delicate as hatchlings, subadults and adults tend to fare well. Efforts are also being made to captive-breed the veiled chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus) on a large scale. There are many other species of insect-eating lizards that are bred on a small scale, including many kinds of geckos, basilisks, and water dragons.

When possible, always purchase captive-bred rather than wild-caught lizards.

The mortality of wild-collected lizards is high, particularly with species requiring specialized environments and diets. If you are just starting out with lizards, select species that are known to establish well in captivity. Starting out with difficult species often results in failure; this might discourage you from further pursuing the fascinating field of herpetoculture.

Large Lizards

Large lizards, such as basilisks, green water dragons, green tree monitors (yes, this is an insect-eating species), and bearded dragons require relatively large enclosures, along with more extensive lighting and heating than smaller species require. Larger animals tend to damage or destroy live plants in a display and may alter the landscape. They also require more frequent maintenance...