Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Just wondering what people's opinions on this are, what's the most intelligent and social lizard to you?

My vote is for Varanus rudicollis the black rough neck monitor. But I am going to guess that other Varanids fit the bill as well. Also I would point out that sociable and intelligence are rarely aligned. Nile monitors are smart as hell and will figure out new ways of finding your exposed thumbs for a quick bite. Day geckos, are an intelligent bunch, never met one that didn't have an interesting personality. They interact alot but your not going to be able handle them much. I had a standing day gecko that I could not keep in a cage, or very easily get him into one once he was out. He used to taunt me. coming out in plain view. knowing full well I could not catch him. I eventually made accomidations for his free range and developed a friendship with him to the point that he would lick gummy bears from my hand. Now you may consider him generally unsocial, but I'd enjoyed him more then any hand tame leopard Gecko.

I've noticed monitors to be very intelligent. This might not be expected but I was taking care of my friend's iguana, and it was so "humanesque" that it would respond to being pet like a cat would, if u pet the top of it's head it would raise it's head and close it's eyes. Once in a while it wouldn't be in the mood though. But it also knew when I was going to feed it from across the room as I brought greens in. But iguanas are kind of obnoxious... It does seem like the omnivorous reptiles are the most intelligent, I just got a scheltopusik, and he has a different sort of intelligence than my pythons. I'm watching a vid of a blue tongue skink and they seem very intelligent too...

I think argentenian tegus are definitely one of the most sociable and intelligent lizards. mine is young still, but just by watching his actions and noting his behaviors you can tell how smart he is, and whenever i open his cage he walks straight to me, and i can easily have him sit on my lap or shoulder for an hour while watching tv or something.

Blue Tegu

Sceloporus. Like having a scaley dog. Knows the different cricket/waxie/mealworm enclosures, & comes running like a puppy. Also expects certain things at certain times...dinner, sitting on glider outside, etc. Notices people as soon as they come into the Lizard Room.