Reptile & Amphibian Forums

G'day

I've had snakes for a few years, but I've only just decided i want a lizzard. I've got a spare 40 gallon tank with day night cycle and heat lamp. I just need to know a few (many) things.

1) what would be the best lizzard?
2) how do you look after them (where can I find a good care sheet?)
3) how many could i have in a 40 gallon
4) how much do they cost
5) how much do they eat?
6) How are they as pets: temprament, handling, activity levels etc?
7) are they nocturnal or duirnal?

And there's probably about 100 questions I need to know that i've left out, so assuming i'm a total idiot, tell me anything you think i might need to know.

Thanks in advanced for your help, merry christmas, Jack

PS: This is an inportant fact, The lizzard has to be native to Australia

Ok, let me think a bit more...

it would be cool to have a lizzard not much bigger than my hand... how about a skink?

Also, an ant-eater or a complete vegitarian would be good (not a nescesity) so i don't need to get mice. I want it easy to maintain, readily available and to look good. It must be good natured and handle well.

Is there such a thing?

Thanks in advanced, Jack

your best bet is probably going to be a bearded dragon. check out the bearded dragon forum. or type in " bearded dragon care sheet" on google before you ask anymore questions.
not to be rude but it is much easier to answer 1 or 2 specific questions rather than 10-15 very unspecific questions. bearded dragons are very well natured, the size you are looking for, and quite hardy in captivity.
other ways you may want to search would be " captive reptiles of australia" or something of the similar and see what you come up with for possibilities for your new lizard.

40 gal seems a little small but look into Blue tongue skinks. VERY HANDLEABLE, easy non insect diet, kinda big, best caresheet= bluetongueskinks.net

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LIZARDS
0.0.1 Monkey-Tail Skink- "Bubba"
1.1 Irian Jaya Blue Tongue Skinks- "Sammy & Sausage Girl"
1.0 Indonesion BTS- "Don"
0.0.1 Tanimbar Island BTS- "Sebastian
1.0 Kei Island BTS- "Huckleberry Blue"
0.0.1 Ornate Uromastyx- "Spike"
0.1 Albino Leopard Gecko- "Sasha"

SNAKES
1.0 Green Tree Python- "Pink Floyd"
0.0.1 Sonoran Gophersnake- "Toro"
0.1 Western Hognose- "Piggy"

CHELONIANS
0.0.1 Egyptian Tortoise- "Tank"