A little spray paint, some plexiglass (with holes drilled for ventilation), the Tough Top hinged cover by ESU, a drill (for obvious reasons), and some siliconized acrylic caulk turned a 40 gallon long aquarium into the new digs for my aging fat-tail geckos.

My efforts prompted me to begin this new series on the best and worst beginner lizards. This week, we’re taking a look at the best smaller beginner lizards.


1. Fat-Tail Geckos
What a surprise! I’ve selected Fat-tails as my top gecko. Perhaps, they are plain compared to the varieties of colors and patterns available in Leopard Geckos, but their beautiful brown coloring, big black eyes, and docile temperaments make them ideal for new gecko owners.

The care is the same for leopard geckos (with a slight increase in humidity), but the personality is the ultimate selling point for me. They’re idea for kids and won’t bite or become wild if the child loses interest for awhile. Just make sure to feed, clean, and mist them! Make sure you know what you’re in for. These geckos live for 15-20 years.


2. Crested Geckos
My wall-walking favorite! They are one of the most widely kept and bred gecko species in the world. Known for their ridges and big expressive eyes, these little nocturnal Mac Trucks are easy to heat, easy to feed, and easy to love. Care is simple. A vertical cage is a must, and an important point to remember is that these geckos will NOT (unlike most geckos) re-grow their tails. In fact, most adults in the wild don’t have tails.

One of the most noticeable traits of Crested Geckos is the availability of colors. Normally, hobbyists must wait until breeders produce new colors, but Crested Geckos come in a variety of colors and patterns (Dalmatian is my favorite) in the wild. What new varieties will come with captive breeding still remains to be seen!

Crested Geckos also have magnetic personalities.. Once you meet one, it’s easy to see why people love them. Just remember, they can live 20-25 years. The choice to own one requires a long commitment!


3. Leopard Geckos
These colorful maniacs make excellent beginner lizards for those who are captured by their brightly colored appearances and active, curious personalities. Similar in shape to Fat-Tails (but lankier), they are a little bit more prone to biting than Fat-Tails, and they are less apt to sit in your hands as cooperatively.

I imagine they are more interesting to watch since they are more active and adventurous. They do also come in an incredible range of colors. They will make an excellent beginner lizard for almost anyone, especially those who love a more active lizard. I still think a Fat-Tail is the best for kids, but most leopards will calm down and make excellent pets for kids as well.


Next Week
That's it for this installment. Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed this look at the first three of my picks for best beginner lizards. Next week, we’ll take a look at some bigger beginner lizards.

In the mean time, my geckos are settled into their new digs and sleeping the day away.

Happy Herping!