Surprisingly, lizards are one of the cleanest maintenance animals to have as a pet as documented in one of our previous articles. Read here
They are exotic pets that do not require much resources and attention, unlike other pet animals such as dogs, and cats. etc.
Taking care of a lizard found outside can be fascinating.
However, you should know if it is a wild lizard or not before any introduction into your household.
Wild lizards cannot be fully domesticated like other animals.
If found outside, they should be allowed to be in their natural habitat as it will be very difficult to effectively take care of them.
They are not exposed to human interactions and companionship making them very difficult to take care of and if you attempt to force it, they can be very aggressive or distressed which can affect their general wellbeing.
It is advisable to leave them in the wild as full domestication is nearly impossible.
However, if you want to know how to take care of a lizard you found outside, here are easy practical steps to help you be the best caregiver.
Identify The species of Lizard:
There are thousands of species of lizards with different and peculiar ways to take good care of them.
Identifying the exact species of lizards using platforms such as reptile rescue organizations, online academic journals, google images, herpetologists, etc, is needed for effective care.
Common species of lizards you might likely find in your environment are geckos, skinks, chameleons, iguanas, monitors, glass lizards, etc.
These species of lizards are from different families with different behaviors and care requirements.
Provide Shelter:
Lizards just like mammals have shelter specification needs but unlike mammals, their shelter needs are not borne out of personal lifestyle but a mimic of their natural habitats.
To effectively care for a lizard, the provided shelter must mimic their natural environments that have enough cover from predators, exposure to sunlight, adequate temperature, etc.
The provided shelters should meet specifications for arboreal lizards, semi-arboreal lizards, terrestrial lizards, tropical lizards, or desert lizards.
Lizards that do dwell in these different natural environments have varying needs for space, hiding spots, temperature, sunlight, safety, etc.
Examples of arboreal lizards are tree-loving lizards such as chameleons, anoles, etc.
Semi-arboreal lizards live both on the ground and are also tree-loving lizards such as Agamas.
Meanwhile, tropical lizards such as geckos live in the forests while desert lizards such as horned and dragon lizards live in rocky habitats.
Provide Food And Water:
The dietary needs of the different species of lizard vary but it is generally safe to feed a lizard on insects and other foods such as vegetables and fruits.
Lizards are generally insect-loving animals. they enjoy eating edible insects such as Crickets, Mealworms, Dubia roaches, Waxworms, Super worms, Hon worms, Silkworms, etc.
Crickets are readily environment and they contain rich calcium nutrients and other vitamins.
When feeding your lizard, ensure to have a mix of different insects, in their right sizes and proportions for a balanced diet.
Also, ensure to provide clean and fresh water daily in a little bowl for drinking and hydration.
Medication And Health Status:
Lizards just like other domesticated animals require regular medical care and attention.
They can suffer from metabolic bone diseases, respiratory infections, parasitic infections, skin diseases, etc.
These issues can arise from environmental, dietary, and genetic factors and the services of a herpetologist’s vet should be taken into account from the start.
Every form of distress, injury, illness, or change in physical appearance should be communicated to the vet on time.
Endeavor to schedule periodic medical checkups while always observing their body responses and reactions.
Handling And Release:
Careful handling of a lizard will depend to a large extent on how long they will allow for household living before escaping when presented with an opportunity.
Do not touch a lizard by its tail to avoid aggressive confrontation.
In some cases, the lizard might shed the skin of the tail or the tail entirely as a defensive mechanism to escape captivity.
Examples of species of lizards that can shed their tails to avoid captivity are Iguanas, skinks, Geckos, Skinks, Agamids, etc.
The process of shedding their skin causes great pain and requires great energy.
However, they can always regrow their tail after a while which might differ from the previous tail.
If you can’t handle a lizard and the lizard is healthy and fit, you should consider releasing it back to its natural danger if there is no danger.
In their habitat, they will be able to express themselves freely and better.
Conclusion:
Lizards are exotic species that can make great pets just like other animals.
They are low-maintenance animals and their presence in a home provides a valuable opportunity to learn about reptiles generally.
However, the domestication of wild animals without a permit is prohibited according to some local laws.
You should ensure to be compliant with all laws concerning their domestication, handling, and general well-being.