Lizards has been growing as an increasingly popular choice for pets, due to their low maintenance. Enthusiasts have been ethically breeding them as well. Even so, raising a lizard still requires special care. One important factor to consider, that is often underestimated, is preparing their cages beforehand. If you’re considering on adopting one of your own, or breeding them for that matter, be sure to read through this article and find 13 tips for your Lizard’s living spaces
1. Constructing Their Living Spaces
Before investing on a lizard, be sure that you have provided the right living spaces for them to move in beforehand. Though moving space and cleanliness is just as important, lizards require a set temperature in order to live comfortably. The ideal temperature should not be too hot for them to overheat, nor too cold for them to freeze.
2. On Safety
Be sure that your lizard’s living space is comfortable and safe. To prevent them from escaping or being attacked by outside animals, invest on sturdy materials for their cages/tanks. Most owners would invest on a Vivarium for their lizard friend. Vivarium is constructed by wooden material that is efficient in keeping thermal heat within the premises, and a glass screen at the front.
However, an aquarium should work just fine in a pinch. Though differs according to the size of the animal, most owners would invest on tanks who’s sizes’ holds up to 208,2 l of water. On the other end, if you decide on investing a plastic tank, be sure to pick one with the minimum size of 61 cm x 122 cm x 61 cm.
You could also invest on wired cages, as they can create a fun obstacle for your lizards to climb on. Just be sure that the cage has a good height for them to move around in.
3. Keep the Temperature
Most reptiles would require a heater to maintain the ideal habitat temperature. In choosing one, be sure to pay close attention to the bulb type – because they aren’t usually uniformed in benefits. You could consult with pet shop owner and professionals for the right type. Generally, owner would invest on light bulbs that radiates heat up to 32-38 degree Celcius.
4. Provide Sunlight
Investing on a lightbulb would not only maintain the ideal habitat temperature, but certain lightbulbs could provide the daily sunlight nutrients your lizard friend would need. Invest on UVA and UVB lightbulbs, as they contain the right amount of sunlight nutrients they’d need. Otherwise, there’s no harm in exposing your lizard friend with natural sunlight.
5. Lightbulb Placement
Now that you’ve bought your lightbulb, your concern now is to place them in a strategic spot. Ideally, the lightbulb shouldn’t be accessible for the lizard to touch – that is to prevent them from harming themselves. Most owners would hang the lightbulb from a good length, far enough to avoid that accident but close enough for them to get the right “sunlight” nutrients.
6. Making Barriers
Barriers are an important part of a lizard’s living space. As previously hinted, one of the most important barrier is one between the lizard and the light bulb. Not only would that prevent unwanted accidents, but it could be a medium that tunes out the harsh light and makes the living space much cooler.
7. Turn Off The Lights at Night Time
Not only would this save your electricity bills, but this action prevents your lizard from overheating overnight. If your budgeting allows it, invest on an automatic light source that switches off on an assigned schedule.
8. Designate a Hiding Space
Most lizards appreciate their privacy. When constructing their living spaces, be sure to designate a place for them to hide and recharge their social battery. Include finely chop wood pieces for extra comfort in their cool shaded personal space.
9. Deep Cleaning and Sanitation
If you’re going to add rocks into your lizard’s living space, be sure to sterile them first. To do so, you could soak these rocks into boiling water, or bake them in 120 Celcius for 30 minutes to kill all harmful bacterias.
10. Safe Materials and Accessories
Before putting additional materials into your habitat, be sure to sterile them from harmful bacterias. Due to safety precautions, line the surface of the living space with unprinted newspaper to avoid ink poisoning. Alternatively, unused parchment paper is also a good surface.
11. Sand in Cages
Some lizards appreciate a thin layer of sand in their habitats. Lizards enjoy digging around, so a layer would provide the entertainment and fun they’d need.
12. Stocking Up Clean Water
Most owners would stock up clean water to drink in a small dish. However, some lizards (such as spiked lizards) would requires a hanging water bottle that leaves little water droplets to mimic their natural drinking habits. To make sure you invest on the right medium, be sure to consult your local pet shop or other professionals for help in adjusting. One thing that stays consistent, however, is that the drinking water must be changed and stocked up regularly.
13. Supplying The Right Diet
A lizard’s main diet would generally consist of live insects – particularly wild crickets and additional supplements. Alternatively, a lizard could be fed worms, caterpillars, or cockroaches too. A lizard’s diet is comparatively low maintenance, but should always be stocked to avoid being starved.
In a lizard’s living space, food and drinks should always be stocked. A lizard’s eating schedule is unpredictable, so it is wise to be fully stocked at all times. However, do consult pet shop owners and nutritionist for advice on their diets, since different lizards would require different nutrients.
This marks the end of 13 tips in constructing your lizard’s living spaces. Note that for every lizard requires different needs and priorities, so it is wise to consult and do more prior research on this field.