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CostHelper > Pets & Pet Care  > Pet Lizard

Pet Lizard Cost


How Much Does a Pet Lizard Cost?

 
low costGreen Iguana: $15-$35 average costGecko: $6-$250high costSpecialty Breeds: $250-$650+

A lizard is a scaly reptile, native to arid regions on every continent. Pet lizards come in all different shapes and sizes, and range from the common gecko and iguana to the Komodo dragon. These exotic pets are sought after for their fascinating abilities and lifestyles.

Typical costs:

  • The gecko, which is a small reptile that can usually fit in the palm of the hand and has a friendly temperament, costs anywhere from $6 to $250. The Global Gecko Association provides care sheets on the common Day Gecko[1] and Leopard Gecko[2] .
  • The Green Iguana, a common pet iguana that reaches six feet in length, can be purchased online or at pet stores for between $15 and $35.
  • Specialty breeds cost more. Cyclura Iguanas, for example, range from $250 to $600. The Satanic Leaftail Gecko sells for $250 a pair. Other exotic lizards, like Bearded Dragons and Chameleons, can cost hundreds and even thousands of dollars.
  • Prices vary depending on the season (each species hatches at the same time of year), rarity, temperament, and patterns. Uniquely patterned lizards sell for more, as do "hand tamed" ones.
Related articles: Turtle, Fish, Pet Bird, Hedgehog, Ferret

What should be included:
  • Try to buy a lizard that has been captive bred, not caught in the wild. Wild lizards tend to have more health problems, such as parasites, are stressed from the experience of being caught and moved, and aren't assimilated to living outside their habitat or with humans.
  • The Reptile Channel provides an extensive list of lizard types[3] .
Additional costs:
  • Cage or aquarium. Depending on the lizard's space needs and how large they will get at full size, living spaces could cost anywhere from $40 to thousands of dollars. Smaller lizards like geckos can do well in a plastic box or 10-gallon aquarium, but larger lizards like the iguana need a bigger space made of sturdier materials. Custom-made cages for larger reptiles can exceed $1,000. Make sure the lizard can grow into the home. Some species grow to be six feet long.
  • Habitat. Unlike cats and dogs, which adapt to human environments easily, lizards can only thrive when living in an environment that replicates their natural one. This could be as simple as providing a $20 heated rock to as complicated as a lighting, heating and humidity system involving UVA and UVB lights for as much as $200. And don't forget the corresponding spike in the electric bill: calculate[4] these costs when considering a pet reptile. The cage should be outfitted with wood pieces, planks, a hiding box, and foliage to keep the lizard entertained and comfortable. These items range in price from $8 to $40.
  • Food. There are thousands of species of lizards, and thousands of diets for them, too. Some, like geckos, eat crickets and mealworms. A $16 batch of 1,000 mealworms or a $25 batch of 1,000 crickets should last three months. Others, like iguanas, have specific dietary requirements[5] and eat lots of fresh vegetables and fruits. These items cost about $3 a day, or $90 a month. Lizards often need their diet supplemented with calcium or other nutrients.
  • Lizards may carry salmonella, so it's important to keep their living area clean and to always sanitize after handling them.
  • Veterinary care. Typically, a vet visit for a reptile costs about as much or a little more than one for cats or dogs, or about $40 to $80 depending on the area. As for most other pets, treating illnesses or injuries can skyrocket into thousands of dollars.
Discounts:
  • Buy in the summertime, as the supply is high after the lizards are first hatched. Then prices go up in the fall since there are fewer available and those that are available are bigger.
  • Building a cage can be much cheaper and more customized than a pre-made one, with costs ranging from $100 to $300. Sites like BaskingLizards.com[6] provide cage plans for between $5 and $20.
Shopping for a pet lizard:
  • PetEducation.com[7] provides a list of considerations before buying a lizard.
  • Lizard enthusiasts caution against buying a lizard from a pet store, saying that pet store workers aren't as familiar with the exotic pet's health history, sex, origin or health and habitat requirements.
  • Check PetFinder.com[8] to find a lizard in need of adoption by entering "lizard" and a zip code in the search field on the left.
  • Consider, through research, the suitability of a lizard's temperament, size and longevity.
  • Before purchasing a lizard, be sure to have a reptile veterinarian chosen. Find one nearby at HerpVetConnection.com[9]
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments
Lizard for Friends BD
Amount: $14.00
Posted by: bellybooboobum1 in Barnesville, MN.Posted: October 18th, 2021 07:10AM
Type of Lizard: Gecko
Really cute and easy to take care of!
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Buy
Amount: $6,000.00
Posted by: Aditya chauhan in Mainpuri, Other.Posted: July 13th, 2019 04:07AM
Type of Lizard: Iguana
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It varies
Amount: $60.00
Posted by: avectasi in Bowling green, KY.Posted: March 1st, 2019 07:03AM
Type of Lizard: Bearded Dragon
I got mine from a rescue from a heartless past owner who left their lizard to froze. Problems with MBD soon will be going to the vet. Petco sells baby beardies for $40 at my location. Petsmart sometimes sells semi-adults around $40. If lucky you can get one for $20 with Pals Reward. Though be cautious on getting a bearded dragon they can look cheap but for everything can be costly for a good type setup with everything would be around 300-500 USD. Plus be known they need alot of food when therye babies. Babies eat more insects and need around 2-3 daily insects and sometimes will eat veggies. Older beardies eat much more veggies than insects. Weekly feeding could be around $20+. If you can handle insects its best to start a colony of Dubias roaches if your state is accepted to have these. Be known that they take long to reproduce so starting around 4-6 months early to grow a colony is better than buying and have very little for your beardie.
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Australian costs
Amount: $350.00
Posted by: Akacazza in Melbourne, Other.Posted: December 19th, 2018 04:12AM
Type of Lizard: Beardie & bluey
Costs are vastly different in Australia (you need a license to keep beardies in most state and a license to keep 2 or more of any lizard in SA). Both mine are rescues, but you’re looking at roughly $80 for a bluey and $120 for a beardie. It’s preferable to buy them when they are a little older as often some of the clutch are weak and die naturally when they are bubs. Buy from a reptile shop or a breeder, not a normal pet shop as the advise they give can be deadly. DO NOT buy heat rocks, they don’t feel when it’s too hot on their tummies.
My bluey almost died as she got 3rd degree on her stomach and her skin came off, allowing her insides to fall out. It was only a very determined vet that cost $1,200 all up and the 2 weeks I took off work, caring for her and sleeping next to her tank that saved her!
tanks & lights over here are very expensive, expect to pay $300+ for a decent sized tank,a 2nd hand 4foot fish tank & stand are a great alternative at $120 on gumtree & $45 for a uvb tube
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Bearded Dragons are cheap
Amount: $59.99
Posted by: DNICE in Wallington, NJ.Posted: August 28th, 2018 04:08AM
Type of Lizard: Bearded Dragon
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Ur amounts are off
Amount: $60.00
Posted by: Fsghgdfggc th jjd in St cloud, AZ.Posted: September 21st, 2017 04:09AM
Type of Lizard: Bearded dragon
Chamelions only cost about 70 dollars and bearded dragons are 60 about. Not houndreds or thousands.
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Lizard
Amount: $150.00
Posted by: Gaga in Fort Lauderdale, FL.Posted: February 16th, 2017 05:02AM
Type of Lizard: Bearded Dragon
The beardie was adopted for $20.00 at a local repticon. Tank was over 30 inch long, cost less than $70-80 at Petsmart during Xmas sale. Everything else were bought online from Dr. Foster, Amazon and Chewy. Basking light was about $7-8, reptile carpet for less than $9, food pellets was about $6, multivitamin and calcium supplement were less than $15 together.
Organic collard greens and other veg were about $2 a bunch. I bought canned insects online for less than $3 a can. Live superworms are bought in store or online for more or less $10 including shipping. Shipping is the second most expensive expense.
Most expensive were the uvb lights. Please do NOT be cheap with this. I bought a 30 inch hood from ReptiSun for about $45. Plus the ReptiSun 10.0 uvb tube for $22. These are the cheapest prices I can find online from Amazon. Plus shipping it all come close to $88. I had 2-day delivery shipping because I bought the wrong uvb bulb because it was cheap.
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lizard
Amount: $0.00
Posted by: a user in rochester, MN.Posted: January 8th, 2017 09:01PM
Type of Lizard: Bearded dragon
Bought him for $100, tank and stand $60(second hand), food depends on what we get and how much (colard greens $5,crickets $8 for 100, Roaches 500 for $25), bulbs$20, tank decorations $45-$60,leash $6, vitamins and calcium $10- $15, tank cleaner $6. I also made a little cuddle blanket from some spare fabric he loves it :)
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lizerd
Amount: $50.00
Posted by: echo in tenio, WA.Posted: January 31st, 2016 02:01PM
Type of Lizard: geko
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Lizard
Amount: $146.98
Posted by: gecko.hermitcrab.lover in Unknown, MA.Posted: July 23rd, 2015 10:07AM
Type of Lizard: Leopard Gecko
I got my Leopard Gecko from Petco, and the stuff there was pretty cheap. The actual Leopard Gecko cost me about $20. The 10 gallon glass aquarium cost me $10 because it was the dollar per gallon sale, and the reptile carpet cost me $20. Then the lighting cost me $52. Then all the decor, food, and the things that were crucial to keep the Leopard Gecko alive cost me $42. The $2.98 left was taxes. So the actual cost of buying the Leopard Gecko cost me less than that other people. My Leopard Gecko sadly died after 9.5 months because of a failed shed. BUt the time I had with my female Leopard Gecko was superb. Her name was Lola, and she was great. So if you want to get a starter lizard, the Leopard Gecko would be best.
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External Resources:
  1.  www.gekkota.com/html/_phelsuma_sp_.html
  2.  www.gekkota.com/html/eublepharis_macularius.html
  3.  www.reptilechannel.com/reptile-species/lizards_all_landing.aspx
  4.  www.anapsid.org/electricitycost.html
  5.  www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=17+1796&aid=649
  6.  baskinglizards.com/index.php?cPath=27_42
  7.  www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=17+1796&aid=1609
  8.  www.petfinder.com
  9.  www.herpvetconnection.com/
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