I currently own a 14 yr old iguana that I've raised since a hatchling, and a baby leopard gecko, so I'm fairly experienced with reptiles. Not quite an expert though. I have always wanted a basilisk since I was 12 (I'm now 25), I think they are so adorable and so beautiful. When I went to get my iguana, I had actually planned to get a basilisk, but the pet store owner said that they are a very difficult pet for a beginner, so I got my Sir Ig instead. Glad I did too. But now that I'm older, I was considering getting a basilisk or a chinese water dragon and was wondering which would be better to start off with. I've heard that water dragons are a little more tame, and basilisks have a bad habit of running into the sides of their enclosures. Also, what is the average length in growth, and average life span of each. I figured this would be the perfect forum for my questions.
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~*Chibi*~
Sir Iggy (El Salvador Blue Iguana), Ryo-ohki, Orion, Bud, & Finnegan (4 crazy kitties), Rosebud (cockerspaniel), and Kayko (leopard gecko)
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basilisk or water dragon?
Replies (1)
That petstore guy was wrong. Iguana's are by far the hardest lizard to care for with the exception of wild caught chameleons, in my opinion. Basilisk do not generally make good handling pets, but are quite hardy. Waterdragons, are more like your iguana with the following exceptions:
1.They only get as big as a one year old iguana.
2.They are not vegitarians and prefer live food.
3.Temperments can be similar, but are generally freindlier.
4.Iguana's generally only digest 30% of what they eat, which results in a lot of feces and mess to clean up. A fact I am sure that you are well aware of. The waterdragon and the basilisk on the other hand digest 80-90% of its prey, resulting in far few droppings and a lot less work.
5. Both Waterdragons and basilisks have a tendency to bang up their snouts. Basilisks are probably the worse offenders. Here are some tips to avoid snout damage:
1. Hiding places and green cover, if the animal feels well hidden it will not run into the sides as much.
2. Captive bred animals are more secure and will bang themselves up a lot less.
3. Use a cage that is glass front only or mesh. In a panic they will forget that the glass is there and smack into it or they will constantly rub against it looking for an opening.
6. Use a large cage. Both basilisks and waterdragons are used to large territories and will need just as much space as your iguana demands, even though they are smaller.
