Many Reptile enthusiasts publish lists of what they believe to be the best pet lizards. You can find these lists all over the internet. They will vary depending on the authors proclivity. However, there are certain lizards that will appear on almost every list. On the smaller side will be leopard and crested geckos. However, if you’re looking for a larger, more robust lizard. One that is less fragile to handle. Maybe with a little more of that dinosaur-like wow factor yet won’t require its own house. There are two lizards that will almost always make the list and usually at or near the top spot to boot. They are of coarse bearded dragons and blue tongue skinks. “Beardies and Blueys”. Why do these two lizards make better pets then the others when there are so many lizard species in the world? Glad you asked.

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1. For one, as we’ve previously mentioned, both these lizards are of a substantial size. Making them impressive looking and yet very handleable. While the utmost care should be taken when handling. Mishaps can happen, and its good to know that your pet is bulky enough to not suffer to much harm if any at all. Conversely, large as they are they are still a very reasonable size. They won’t require you to give up your “man cave” or sunroom (think monitors, tegus and iguanas etc.).  Also handling them won’t cause your biceps to grow and although both these lizards are not prone to biting as with any animal, although very rare, it can occur. Unlike some of the previously mentioned species, if a bite happens it won’t require a visit to the emergency room for stitches.  

2. Many reptile species can be finicky and difficult to feed. Some require specialized diets that can be difficult to acquire. Both these species are generally (never seen one that wasn’t) voracious feeders. They also thrive on easy to obtain, readily available food sources.

3. Both lizards are very hardy. People who have experience with exotic animal husbandry know that different species may have very different constitutions. Some are more prone to diseases. They seem to naturally have weak immune systems. Some are more sensitive to natural fluctuations such as temperature, humidity, lighting etc. Some seem to be more prone to parasitic infections. Sometimes a species can literally seem to be targeted by a specific parasite. while others just seemed to catch any parasite. Some Animals can be so easily stressed out that they seem to perish just from looking at them (think Chameleons). While any animal will die from mistreatment and no animal is indestructible, Beardies and Blueys never cease to amaze. The internet is full of stories of rescues that survived unimaginable conditions. While we expect you will give your pet the best of care, what this means to us is that giving proper treatment you can expect to have your pet for many years to come and it will live out its entire natural lifespan in captive conditions.

4. Lastly, Its all about the temperament. This is the biggest reason for both these lizards’ popularity. Both these species are known for there great disposition and calm demeanor. As well as having about as much individual personality as you can fit in their reptilian bodies. If your thinking of lizards that scurry away at lightning speed as soon as you let go of them, they are not that. Once they are used to being handled it is amazing how relaxed they can be with people. They seem to lose all their natural fear and truly become a companion if tamed correctly. They do have to be tamed, however. We recommend handling your pet as much as possible, especially when young. They do have to be taught that you are not a threat. This does not come naturally. This will also give you an opportunity for you to become familiar with your lizard’s individual personality.

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So, if both bearded dragons and Blue tongue skinks make such great pets, which one is right for me?

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Well, we are partial to Blueys. But in the interest of fairness both have their strong points. And to make it easier for you to pick the pet lizard that’s just right for you we put together a list of points where we feel each one excels above the other.

 

Advantages of beardies

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1. Smaller size: 

   • This depends on your perspective. At a max size of about 16-20 inches some people feel beardies are just the right size for them. Big enough without being too big.

2. Bigger legs:

   • ​ This means your bearded dragon can hold on to you. If properly trained it can literally hang on your shoulder while you do other things. Blueys, due to their little “T-rex” legs really need to be actively held or at the very least have a lap to settle into, although some will settle for the nape of your neck.

3. Price: 

   • Bearded Dragons tend to cost a fraction of what a Blue Tongues do. This is due to the fact that Beardies are literal breeding machines and thus can be found in nearly every pet shop.

 

Advantages of Blueys

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1. Larger size:

   • Depending on the species a Blue tongue can grow from 24”-30” and sometimes even 36”. Just as some people prefer the smaller size of the beardies some people prefer the larger size of the blueys.

2. Less availability:

   •  Why is this an advantage? This works in the Blueys favor. Less breeding means purer stock. Just like in dogs overbreeding can create unpredictable genetics and bring out negative traits.

3. Lighting, particularly expensive ultra-violet lighting:

   • Although we prefer to keep our Blues under a minimal UV light for reasons we’ll reveal later, Years of Blue tongue keeping and research have shown that BTS’s will lead perfectly healthy lives despite having no additional artificial U.V. exposure. With bearded dragons expensive U.V. as well as diligent monitoring of bulbs is an absolute necessity.

4. Diet:

   • Most people who keep bearded dragons believe they require a varied diet of both proteins and vegetable matter. Many people believe they do best with some live insects such as crickets added to their diet as well. After decades of research many Blue tongue keepers feel they do best with just a simple diet of a tbs spoon or two of high quality grain free canned dog food once a week. And that’s it. Blueys will accept other foods as a treat but many keepers and breeders feel they are unnecessary for the health of the lizards It is important to note that both beardies food and blueys food should be dusted with a Vitamin D powder made for reptiles at least every other feeding.

5. More expensive:

   • This is an advantage because it’s an unfortunate truth that when animals cost more, they are less likely to have suffered abuse by unscrupulous people who treat them badly, which can have an effect on the animals long term health.

6. More exotic:

   • Because beardies have become so numerous, they have become rather common place. Nothing wrong with that. But Blue tongues being less common still retain some of that wow that’s cool and unusual factor. Just our opinion of course.

7. Not climbers:

   • Because they are primarily ground dwelling they can be kept in a relatively shallow enclosure. This can be very space saving. Especially if you want to keep more then one bluey. There are many enclosures that can be stacked in a shelf like manner.

 

Why an Aussie (northern)?

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Blue Tongue skinks are a large and diverse lizard group consisting of many species, sub-species, and “morphs”. And their morphology can be quite confusing. They can however be broken down into to main groups. Australian Blue Tongues and Indonesian Blue Tongues. Some of the primary members of the Aussie BTS’s are the Pygmy, Centralian, Northern, Eastern, Western, and Blotched. Some of the primary Indonesians are the Merauke, Irian Jaya, Halmahera, Kei Island and Tanimbar.

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Differences between them and advantages to owning an Aussie

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1. History of Captive Breeding:

   • Australian skinks have generally been kept in captivity longer then Indonesians. In fact all Northern Blue Tongue skinks outside of Australia are descended from stock that has been in captivity for at least 50 years when Australia imposed a very strict bane on exporting its fauna. This means Australian BTS’s (particularly Northerns) are the most domesticated BTS’s you can find. Therefore, they are more likely to thrive in captive conditions. They are less likely to carry diseases or parasites. They are also more likely to tame and adjust to handling quicker than their Indonesian counterparts, Which are more likely to be wild caught imports or only recently bred captives.

2. Size: 

   • More importantly consistency in size.  Northern BTS’s are relatively consistent in the adult size. They are a moderate sized skink as far as BTS’s are concerned. They will almost always reach an adult size between 20”-26”. Which means their housing can be a consistent size as well. Indonesian BTS’s can vary greatly in size. Some remaining as small as 16” and some being real giants at 36”. This is usually determined by type and local of origin. Which can be very hard to determine with imports. Especially when they are young. And so, it can be difficult to determine the adult enclosure size you’ll need until they grow out.

3. Color and pattern “morph”:

   •  Having been bred in captivity the longest. Northern BTS’s come in the widest variety of colors and patterns of any BTS’s. Although some Indonesian breeders have been recently developing some beautiful morphs as well. In Northerns the color is found mostly in blotches on the sides and can be shades of yellow, orange, red, pink or more natural tans and creams. While there backs are usually patterned by a stunning mosaic of stripes or blotches in browns, blacks or whites. Some notable morphs include sunset, sunrise, fen orange, polish orange, magma, caramel, turner white and fen white.

4. Humidity: 

   • This is undoubtedly the most important difference between Aussie BTS’s and their Indonesian cousins. Because of differences in climate. Australian BTS’s acclimate perfectly to humidity levels in the average human dwelling. This my also be due to the amount of time in domestication. Either way, Northern BTS’s will almost never need special consideration to the humidity levels in their enclosure. As opposed to this, Indonesian species hail from humid tropical rainforest. This can vary depending on origin. However, all will require additional humidity to some degree or another, as well as monitoring. This can be achieved with methods as simple as spraying with a bottle or as complicated as sophisticated misting systems. Either way careful monitoring is essential. Incorrect humidity levels can lead to respiratory infections and difficulty shedding.

5. Cost:

   • You should plan on spending about 25-50 percent more for a Northern BTS then an Indonesian. We feel the added cost is worth It, all things considered. Especially if you’re considering a wild caught specimen.

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What about other Australian BTS?

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In Australia the most commonly kept pet BTS’s are actually of the eastern variety. This is largely due to the fact that the eastern has by far the largest range in the wild. Also, its range brings it closest to the major human population concentrations. Easterns are gaining in popularity outside Australia. However, their origins outside of Australia are not so well known. Some may have been collected nefariously while others have been obtained through zoo collections. As of now, they don’t come in a very diverse variety, and they command a higher price. Usually well over a thousand dollars.

Other Aussie species. All other Australian species are nearly impossible to find outside Australia. They didn’t have established breeding populations when the Aussies shut the door on exports.