Raising a lizard is certainly a real pleasure for you, passionate. However, you are aware that a lizard, like all animals, has a cost. First of all, when buying, where everything depends on its species, size, age and location. But also after the adoption and throughout his life. You still don’t know what budget to allocate to your reptile? This guide is here to enlighten you.
From purchases to health-related costs, including food and the acquisition of essential accessories, adopting a lizard involves a cost that is important to know and plan for. Let’s see this in detail.
Purchase cost
To put it simply, and as you can imagine, everything will depend on the species in question. For example, a Leopard Gecko will have an average price of $35 as a general rule. Of course, this price can double or even triple depending on the place of purchase, its overall condition or simply depending on the person who will sell it to you. Breeders are free to set their prices.
Thus, it is not uncommon to see hundreds of euros requested by breeders or pet stores for lizards of rarer species.
Thereafter, only the feeding and maintenance of its terrarium in optimal conditions will be a source of expenditure (electricity), as will the regular change of its substrate and the cleaning of its living space.
The accessories
Before its arrival, you will have to find the ideal terrarium. Thus, your lizard will have to evolve in a suitable environment, particularly with regard to size, neither too big nor too small.
Some vivariums are sold with all the necessary accessories. In addition, several heating systems are available on the market, such as heating mats (8-10€) and ceramic lamps (10-20€). To this, you will not forget to add a fluorescent lamp (about 50€).
You will also think about the substrate to be placed at the bottom of its vivarium. This can be artificial grass, or even sand or even wood chips, which are absorbent and not very abrasive.
Your lizard will need a bowl of water to dive into. Count on average from 5 to 10€, everything will depend on the material chosen. Think of branches of all kinds to bring a little life and cheerfulness to its environment.
When it comes to food, your adult lizard will eat approximately every other day. If he is a herbivore, he will swallow salad, fruits and vegetables. Pellets will have to be given to him in addition. An omnivorous lizard will not hesitate to eat baby mice, mealworms or even crickets with a frequency of 2 meals per week, never more. Finally, there are also insectivorous lizards and strict carnivores. In any case, the cost of food will depend on his diet. This will never exceed around thirty euros per month.
medical expenses
The health of your lizard should be closely monitored. You will limit worries and illnesses by ensuring good living conditions, in a stable, well-lit, heated environment with an adequate level of humidity. Unfortunately, it sometimes happens that your lizard suffers from pathologies or gets injured. In this case, consultation with an NAC veterinarian is essential.
A classic consultation is around thirty euros. But if it is necessary to add interventions, such as surgeries, the bill can quickly increase considerably. It is therefore difficult to predict in advance what your reptile will cost you medically.
The place of purchase
Your lizard can be adopted in different places. It all depends on what you are looking for. Please note that some are much more serious than others.
pet stores
This is not the most appropriate place to buy a lizard. Pet stores are often overwhelmed when it comes to animals, which is their business. Thus, lizards often evolve in places that are too small or in unsatisfactory conditions (poor humidity, excessive heat source, etc.). Their health is therefore more fragile, more precarious. Worse, the purchase price is often higher, because pet shops have to cover higher operating costs.
At a professional breeder
A professional breeder logically guarantees the good behavior of his proteges. He is passionate about lizards and they evolve in good conditions. Thus, they have been properly tamed, or at least accustomed to human presence. Their health is good. You will have to beware of charlatans, as there are everywhere. However, this is the safest place to adopt a lizard.
A particular
Many individuals decide to sell their lizard when they move. Or quite simply, because they can no longer take care of it. So, it is not uncommon to find some to adopt on online platforms. However, never buy
