Some common myths and misconceptions about lizards

Many of today’s reptile keepers are very knowledgeable consumers who have done research online about the pet lizard they are about to purchase. There are also a number of popular shows that focus on reptiles and amphibians from around the world that help broaden the average person’s understanding of these rare and exotic animals. Unfortunately, there are still some myths and misconceptions about lizards and we hope to dispel some of the more obvious ones in this article.

One of the most common misconceptions that most novice reptile enthusiasts seem to have is that all large lizards are Komodo dragons. Komodos seem to be the King Kong of monitor lizards with their impressive size and infamous name. The fact is that only zoos can house, exhibit and breed Komodo dragons and each one is owned by the Indonesian government, which strictly prohibits access to these rare creatures. They are found on five Indonesian islands, where they are a major draw for tourists and bring in a large part of the income for the local population. Although a close relative of the Komodo lizard that gets very large is the Indonesian water monitor, those animals can be sold and are not protected, so they are usually the source of misconception.

Another misconception about lizards for sale in captivity is based on the caiman lizards of Central America. These brightly colored cousins ​​of the Tegu lizard have a broad, silvery body that closely resembles its namesake, the South American alligator. They grow to a manageable adult size of four feet in length and are normally found on or near tree branches above hanging rivers in Paraguay, Peru, and Colombia. Although they have very sharp teeth that they use to capture and crush their prey, which consists of snails, fish, and invertebrates, captive alligator lizards are calm and easy to handle. They can also be kept on a diet consisting of canned food, frozen snails, and ground turkey or monitor and tegu diet.

Another misconception is that all lizards have the ability to regenerate their tails when in reality this is a rather confusing ability for some lizards and geckos while impossible for others. The amazing ability to regenerate a body part exists in most geckos, most iguanas, and tegus, while their close relatives lack that ability entirely. Although the regrown tail will never look quite the same as the original, the replacement is functional and much better than a stump. It is even possible for some of these animals to grow a forked or branched tail if the damage is minor and not a complete break.

While many questions about lizards and their habits and habitats have been answered thanks to the hard work of researchers and breeders around the world, there are still many interesting facts that will come to light in the future. As always, do your due diligence and find out the pet lizard’s individual needs when it comes to diet, lighting, habitat size, and longevity before making a purchase.