Second lizard

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Hey all! I’ve been thinking recently about getting a second lizard, not a bearded dragon because my mans my one and only. What are your recommendations? I don’t want something quite as high maintenance as a beardie(not as much for care but lights and such) but not something small like a long tailed lizard or anole, I’ve considered a leopard gecko or a Giant day gecko, but I’m still on the fence. Any ideas?
 

BeardedDragonSteve

Juvie Member
Genofdistinct":lnhkysd7 said:
Hey all! I’ve been thinking recently about getting a second lizard, not a bearded dragon because my mans my one and only. What are your recommendations? I don’t want something quite as high maintenance as a beardie(not as much for care but lights and such) but not something small like a long tailed lizard or anole, I’ve considered a leopard gecko or a Giant day gecko, but I’m still on the fence. Any ideas?
Do you have a former bearded dragon tank? because 10 - 20 gallons is good for leopard geckos even housing multiple because its not good to have a big tank because they would stray from the heat pad. They are most active at dawn and dusk so that's why you need a heat pad. Leopard geckos are also in almost every pet store that sells reptiles and there is a lot of breeders.
 
BeardedDragonSteve":2inmvmaf said:
Do you have a former bearded dragon tank? because 10 - 20 gallons is good for leopard geckos even housing multiple because its not good to have a big tank because they would stray from the heat pad. They are most active at dawn and dusk so that's why you need a heat pad. Leopard geckos are also in almost every pet store that sells reptiles and there is a lot of breeders.

+1 For a leopard gecko, you can get them in some great different patterns and colors and are quite easy to maintain, plus they do pretty well with handling maybe not so good as a beardie in that department but they are cute little guys. Plus males can get pretty chunky I like the look of them.
 

Genofdistinct

Member
Original Poster
Yes definitely, I’m a fan of the Leo’s. But I’m considering a second by how much the schedule and the responsibility of Jerald(my beardie) brightens my day, and having them sleep most of the day and night is somewhat of a turnoff for me, since my schedule of sleeping and waking avoids their peak times. Also a second Lizard is just an idea, I’ve also riddled with branching out to birds,(a cauiqe is what I’d get). Snakes are a no no since my mom has a phobia of snakes and turtles are prime salmonella material so that’s a no from my dad. Also not a rodent person that’s more my sisters deal
 
Genofdistinct":1qf3s9k5 said:
Yes definitely, I’m a fan of the Leo’s. But I’m considering a second by how much the schedule and the responsibility of Jerald(my beardie) brightens my day, and having them sleep most of the day and night is somewhat of a turnoff for me, since my schedule of sleeping and waking avoids their peak times. Also a second Lizard is just an idea, I’ve also riddled with branching out to birds,(a cauiqe is what I’d get). Snakes are a no no since my mom has a phobia of snakes and turtles are prime salmonella material so that’s a no from my dad. Also not a rodent person that’s more my sisters deal

I dont have a pet bird myself but I work at a wildlife rehab in the summer and we have some ambassador birds of prey and a crow, obviously not really pet birds but I still like them none the less. I couldn't tell you what to get but they do grow attached to you after time, id say a pet bird would depend how much time you could spend with it cause they dont like to be alone.
 

Claudiusx

BD.org Sicko
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My vote is for a uromastyx :D

Pretty similar setups except typically a higher temp at the basking site. And they should pretty much only eat greens and vegies, so cheaper to feed :)

-Brandon
 

Genofdistinct

Member
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I’m homeschooled so I have a lot of time for a bird, uromastyx won’t work cuz I just dropped 50 bucks for lights on Jerald and I don’t wanna raise that to a hundred ?
 

DorgEndo

Sub-Adult Member
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Anoles are fun because you can house several together. They need UVB tube and heat like a beardie...I don't remember temps off the top of my head. They do lots of climbing and can eat small bugs.

I know you didn't ask but what about a toad or frog? Frogs need a little more specialist care but toads mostly need floor space and something to dig in. Get a boy and he might croak for you at night, that's a plus in my book
 

ComicBookMama

Sub-Adult Member
+1 for leopard geckos... I find that the dawn/ dusk activity schedule was a plus when I had one, since I was ready to interact after my work and homework was done and so was Jarvis. The colors and patterns are real draws, too, as well as the fact that they're second only to beardies in terms of being handled happily.

Of course, I'm also a fan of small tortoises; you really don't have much more risk of salmonella and other nasties than you do with a beardie, as long as you observe proper hand washing after handling. I kept a Russian tortoise as a classroom pet for a number of years, and there's a lot of personality in those little shelled critters!
 

MrSpectrum

Gray-bearded Member
Genofdistinct":3nrilwlw said:
Hey all! I’ve been thinking recently about getting a second lizard, not a bearded dragon because my mans my one and only. What are your recommendations? I don’t want something quite as high maintenance as a beardie(not as much for care but lights and such) but not something small like a long tailed lizard or anole, I’ve considered a leopard gecko or a Giant day gecko, but I’m still on the fence. Any ideas?
Genofdistinct":3nrilwlw said:
I just dropped 50 bucks for lights on Jerald and I don’t wanna raise that to a hundred
If you're sweating $50 for lights (which will have to be periodically replaced) not to mention other ongoing expenses, I have some concerns about the wisdom of adding another pet at this time. :?

That said, my recommendations... whoo-ee, that's a loaded question! :roll:

While researching BDs, I also came up with a whole spreadsheet of "also rans" for consideration in case the BD idea didn't/wouldn't work out, or for later additions. Most--being diurnal--require differing/various amounts of UVB, which means special lighting unless you live in an area where they can be kept outdoors year-round.

If I were to add a gecko, I'd go with a New Caledonian species rather than a Leopard Gecko or Day Gecko. A Day Gecko definitely requires UVB lighting, and care sheets seem to be split on whether Leopards do (and if it were me, I'd budget for it just in case).

New Caledonian Geckos (Crested, Gargoyle, Leechie, Chewy, Mossy, etc.) can be kept in less expensive DIY screened enclosures (but will require some additional heat via basking bulb or heating pad). They're (I believe, but verify by species) nocturnal--not requiring UVB (but see Leopard Gecko note above) and can be a bit noisy--"barking" at night.

I'd (personally) avoid Uros--I like them very much, and may eventually get one, but your caveat on expenses is dissuasive.

AFAIK, turtles/tortoises are no more/less "prime salmonella material" (or adenovirus, or any of several other viruses and/or infectious diseases) than bearded dragons. The disease is spread through contact with infected feces; proper hygiene and precaution should be exercised with any species of reptile.

To avoid the expense of special lighting (and perhaps in some cases heating), you'll likely be looking for a strictly nocturnal species, which may or may not jibe with your current lifestyle. Nocturnal isn't necessarily midnight to 8 am; it's generally dusk to dawn (vs. crepuscular, which is dusk and dawn) and changes with the seasons.

YMMV
 

Genofdistinct

Member
Original Poster
Thanks for all the replies, and yep a second pet is definitely not the best idea rn, but it would help my mental health a lot. However I’m considering rescuing a close friends bearded dragon, they don’t have enough time for him and he’s got a really nasty eye(prob cricket wound, but they avoid taking him to the vet which breaks my heart) so I might take him of their hands to take care of, I would be fully willing to spend more money if meant helping a lil guy out(well not little he’s a German)
 

Genofdistinct

Member
Original Poster
Fan of that gecko, super cute! Love the feet lol. As for frogs I’ve tried taking care of some wild toads(not a fair comparison but still) and they weren’t nearly as personal as a lizard. Also I’ve tried convincing my dad about the tortoise/ turtle and he just thinks they’re gross. So sadly that’s off the table(can’t wait till I move out and can make my own reptile descions ?)
 

Moon4wolfgirl

Hatchling Member
Genofdistinct":166m3xv7 said:
I’m homeschooled so I have a lot of time for a bird, uromastyx won’t work cuz I just dropped 50 bucks for lights on Jerald and I don’t wanna raise that to a hundred ?
homeschooled too.
 
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