Top 10 Beginner Reptiles and Amphibians-Lizards!

Here it is!!! A compilation of the top 10 best beginner lizards! There are many different species of lizards kept as pets out there, and many of them can make for great pets, but in order to really narrow down possible options for the new or beginning reptile enthusiast, we’ve decided to create this top 10 list, in no particular order! This list is based on many different factors which should always be researched and considered as to which animals do make good pets, and includes, but is certainly not limited to the species’ eventual adult size, lifespan and longevity, cost of care, temperament and handleability, overall ease of care, overall affordability and availability, and other factors.

There are many different opinions as to which species specifically make the best beginner’s pets. However, the best “beginner’s pet” is ultimately one that someone has done their research on and are interested in most. We hope these top 10 guides can better help YOU pick out your first, or even next reptile or amphibian! These guides are also great for choosing a classroom, or even office pet as well! And, if you have a species which does not appear on this list, but believe it should, let us know, and we may evaluate it for another top 10 list!

*Photo Credit: Science Mag.Org

1. Inland, or Central Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps)
Pros: Personality, Docility, and Handleability, Readily Available, Many Color and Pattern Morphs.
Cons: High Heat and UVB Requirements, Space Requirements, Dietary Requirements, Quality of Husbandry Information Available.

*Photo Credit: FriendlyPets.com

2. Leopard Gecko (Eublepharis macularius)
Pros: Readily Available, Many Color and Pattern Morphs, Small Size and Small Space Requirements and Setup, Handleability (for Geckos), Dietary Requirements, Low UVB Requirements.
Cons: Nocturnal/Crepescular Nature and Habits, Handleability (Relative to Other Lizards), Heating Requirements, Requires Live Foods, Quality of Husbandry Information Available.

*Crested Gecko, Photo Credit: Kissagator.com

3. Crested Gecko (Correlophus ciliatus)
Pros: Small Size and Small Enclosure Requirements and Setup, Many Color and Pattern Morphs, Very Simple Diet Requirements, Low Heating and UVB Requirements, Unique and Unusual Appearance, Ready Availability, Very Easy to Breed.
Cons: Nocturnal/Crepescular Nature and Habits, Fragility (Relative to Other Lizards), Can be Sensitive to Overhandling and Overheating.

*Photo Credit: Elmwood Park Zoo

4. Blue Tongued Skink (Tiliqua spp.)
Pros: Unique Appearances, Docile and Personable Temperaments, Handleability, Several Different Species and Localities, Varied and Omnivorous Diets, Easy Overall Care and Husbandry.
Cons: Large Enclosures and Space Requirements, Higher Initial Prices.

*Photo Credit: UromastyxCare

5. Spiny Tailed Lizards/Uromastyx (Uromastyx spp.)
Pros: Personality, Docility, and Handleability, Readily Available, Many Color and Pattern Morphs and Species, Uniqueness, No Live Foods Required.
Cons: High Heat and UVB Requirements, Space Requirements, Dietary Requirements.

*Photo Credit: AminoApps

6. Spiny Tailed Monitors/Ackies (Varanus acanthurus ssp).
Pros: Small and Manageable Sizes Relative to Monitors, Large Personalities, Can be Highly Intelligent and Perceptible, Reasonable Space and Enclosure Requirements.
Cons: Still Requires Previous Lizard Experience, Prone to Overfeeding and Common Health & Husbandry Issues, High Prices.

*Photo Credit: Emily Offermann

7. African Fat Tailed Gecko (Hemitheconyx caudicinctus)
Pros: Readily Available, Many Color and Pattern Morphs, Small Size and Small Space Requirements and Setup, Handleability (for Geckos), Dietary Requirements, Low UVB Requirements.
Cons: Nocturnal/Crepuscular Nature and Habits, Handleability (Relative to Other Lizards), Heating and Humidity Requirements, Requires Live Foods.

*Photo Credit: Joe Randazzo

8. Gargoyle Gecko (Rhacodactylus auriculatus)
Pros: Small Size and Small Enclosure Requirements and Setup, Many Color and Pattern Morphs, Very Simple Diet Requirements, Low Heating and UVB Requirements, Unique and Unusual Appearance, Overall Uniqueness.
Cons: Nocturnal/Crepescular Nature and Habits, Fragility (Relative to Other Lizards), Can be Sensitive to Overhandling and Overheating, Initial Price and Availability.

*Photo Credit: Robert Balsiger
9. Chuckwallas (Sauromalus spp.)
Pros: Personality, Docility, and Handleability, Uniqueness and Less Commonality, No Live Foods Required.
Cons: High Heat and UVB Requirements, Space Requirements, Dietary Requirements, Legalities to Consider Where Native, Availability (Somewhat).

*Photo Credit: Blackbea R

10. Long Tailed Grass Lizards (Takydromus sexlineatus)
Pros: Small Size, Inexpensive and Readily Available, Large Personalities and Entertaining to Watch.
Cons: Lack of Captive-Bred Availability, Handleability/Fragility, Require Live Foods.

Honorable Mentions!

*Photo Credit: Tiffany Acker

-Sudan Plated Lizard (Gerrhosaurus major)
Pros: Small and Manageable Adult Sizes, Overall Uniqueness and Unique Appearances, Not Overly Demanding or Difficult Enclosure and Space Requirements, Personable and Handleability.
Cons: Require Live Foods, Lack of Captive-Bred Availability.

*Photo Credit: Xepera

-African Fire Skink (Lepidothyris fernandi)
Pros: Small Size, Unique and Vibrant Colors, Not Overly Demanding or Difficult Enclosure and Space Requirements.
Cons: Lack of Captive-Bred Availability, Handleability.

*Photo Credit: LLLReptile

-Steppe Runner (Eremias arguta)
Pros: Small Size, Small Enclosure and Space Requirements, Simple Diets, Active and Personable Dispositions, Uniqueness.
Cons: Handleability (Smaller, Potentially More Delicate), Availability/Lack of Captive Breeding, Requires Live Foods.

*Photo Credit: Jennifer Wren

-Italian Wall Lizards (Podarcis sicula)
Pros: Small Size, Small Enclosure and Space Requirements, Simple Diets, Active and Personable Dispositions, Uniqueness.
Cons: Handleability (Smaller, Potentially More Delicate), Availability/Lack of Captive Breeding, Requires Live Foods.

*Photo Credit: Sarah Donovan

-Jeweled Lacerta (Timon/Lacerta lepidus)
Pros: Smaller Relative Size, Smaller Relative Enclosure and Space Requirements, Active and Personable Dispositions, Uniqueness and Colors.
Cons: Availability/Lack of Captive Breeding, Requires Live Foods, Initial Price.

*Photo Credit: Mackenzie Cole

-Gidgee’s Skink (Egernia stokesii)
Pros: Overall Uniqueness, Relatively Small and Manageable Size, Easily Attainable Enclosure and Space Requirements, Personability and Handleability.
Cons: Availability, Requires Live Food, Captive-Bred Prices Still High.