animal care |

animal care : "How to Choose Your Lizard:
When deciding which lizard is for you, keep the following basic considerations in mind:
How much do you want to spend?
How much space do you have for it?
What type of disposition do you want in your pet?
How hardy is it and how easy is it to feed?
What color, shape and size do you want and is that lizard readily available?
Many reptiles are protected so check with authorities in your area on laws governing your selection.
Handling Your Lizard:
Handle your lizard only when necessary, generally this is only to move it to a place where it will get some exercise. Be gentle so as not to bruise or hurt it. Never pick it up by the head or tail. The majority of pet lizards are small and incapable of any real harm if they bite. However if you have a lizard that is prone to biting or is large, you can use gloves. Some lizards such as iguanas have sharp claws and can cause deep scratches.
Safe handling is knowing how to grab a lizard:
Small lizards up to about 7 3/4' (20cm). Grasp by placing your hand over the body and restraining the neck area with your thumb and forefinger.
Medium lizards up to about 19 1/2' (50cm). Grasp with one hand on the section of the lizard where you can straddle across its back at the front legs. Use your other hand to take hold of the hips.
Large lizards over 19 1/2' (50cm). Grab firmly around the neck with one hand and around the waist with the other and pull it into your body under your elbow to restrain the legs and tail. Two people may be necessary for large lizards. They can inflict deep bites and deep scratches with their claws! "