Lizards can make great pets. They stay in cages, so they don't make a mess of your home, and other than requiring specific temperatures and humidity levels, they are fairly low-maintenance. Their personalities tend to be funny and entertaining, and they bond with their owners more than you might think. However, there are many different types of lizards, and you should do your due diligence before buying one. Here are some questions to ask the vendor before buying a lizard that is up for sale.

What species is the lizard?

There are a few different types of lizards that are common as pets. Bearded dragons, crested geckos, leopard geckos, and blue-tongued skinks are the most common. Many pet stores will clearly label their lizards so you know what species you are buying, but you may not see this with smaller vendors, so be sure to ask. Each lizard species has different temperature requirements and demands something a bit different from their enclosure, so you really need to know what you're getting.

How old is the lizard?

You might assume all the lizards being sold are young, but this is not necessarily the case. Lizards  tend to live longer than most other small, caged pets. Some species can live for 20 years or more. As such, it is not uncommon for lizards to require rehoming. The lizard you are looking at could be 6 or 10 years old, and could simply need a new home because its old owner was no longer able to care for it. Older lizards should cost less than younger ones, so keep this in mind when shopping. 

Is the lizard male or female?

It's hard to tell which sex a lizard is if you don't know what to look for, but someone who is selling lizards should have this knowledge. It's important to know what sex your lizard is just in case you end up placing the lizard in an enclosure with another at any time in the future. Male lizards also tend to be more active and a little more aggressive than females. You may want a female lizard if you are counting on it being a pet for children.

If you ask the questions above, you will be more informed when buying a lizard as a pet. As long as you know the species, you can search the internet and learn a lot more specifics about lizard care.

If you're interested in looking at reptiles for sale, talk to a pet seller in your area.