Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, I am going to purchase a lizard of one kind or another soon, and was hoping you folks could help me choose. I have alot of experience with invertebrates, but I'm relatively new to the world of lizards. Thanks in advance for your help. I am looking for a lizard with the following qualities:

hardy, and a good beginner species

desert, with low humidity requirements

as large as possible, while still being able to be feed a diet of lobster roaches, crickets, and zophobas worms

heavy bodied, like a savannah monitor

tame, and easy to handle

cheap-lol, under $50 would be nice

ground dwelling, I find arboreal terrariums to be a nuisance, and burrowing lizards are quite unappealing display animals

and last but not least, NOT a bearded dragon

Thanks again for your help.

Just clarifying.

You want something the size of a savanna monitor, for less than 50 dollars...?

No. I just want something heavy bodied (not like a nile monitor which can be up to 70% tail), it can be smaller than a savannah monitor as far as maximum adult size is concerned. I am looking to get a baby lizard. I just want a lizard that as an adult can reach sizes of 36" or so. A fast growing lizard would be nice, but not essential.

Have you looked into uromastyx? I dont know anything about them but they get a good sized and are desert..I dont know many larger lizards that will stay on small insects though..
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