Instructions
Prepare a cage. The cage should be large enough for the lizard to move around in comfortably. Additionally, lizards like to sit in water. There should be a ledge at the bottom of the cage with a dish of water underneath it so the lizard can go underneath. One side of the cage should be designated as the basking area for the lizard, and it should be kept dry and hot.
Feed the beaded lizard a mixture of eggs and rodents. Sometimes, younger lizards will refuse to eat rodents. To counteract this, dip the rodent in some egg yolk before feeding to the lizard. Fertile, somewhat-developed eggs are better for the lizard than regular grocery store eggs.
Keep the temperature in the cage in the lower 70s on one side, and in the upper 80s on the side where the lizard basks.
Clean the cage by immediately removing any fecal material and by immediately wiping up any spilled water. Once a week, clean the bedding material. If the lizard soaks in the provided water daily, the water should be changed on a daily basis.
How to Care for Captive Beaded Lizards
A Mexican beaded lizard is best described by its Latin name, Heloderma horridum meaning "horrible studded lizard." It is one of only two poisonous lizards in the world, along with the Gila monster. In captivity, these animals can live 30-50 years, and usually grow anywhere from 3-6 pounds. Though these creatures are poisonous, with a potentially fatal bite, it is legal to own a beaded lizard in the United States. While they must be handled with care, they are actually a relatively low-maintenance exotic pet.