How to Keep Different Species of Lizards Together

Reptile enthusiast often enjoy keeping more than one type of lizard at a time. Housing them together may seem like a great idea. It can save space, and may create a very natural look. However, most lizard species are carnivorous and may be aggressive or territorial. This means that, when not handled properly, housing different lizard species together can result in injury or death for one of the species. In order to achieve success when keeping lizards together, it's important to take a few key steps. Even then, housing two different species together is usually not a task for the beginner keeper.

Things You'll Need

  • Large habitat
  • Extra lizard accessories
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Instructions

    • 1

      Keep only species with similar habitat needs together. For example, do not house a desert lizard with a tropical lizard. The differences in humidity, temperature and substrate needs can put a lot of stress on both species. This can lead to illness. Furthermore, cohabitation often works even better when lizards from similar regions in the world live together. For example, two tropical lizard species from Asia often have more similar needs than one Asian tropical lizard and one South American tropical lizard will have.

    • 2

      Place species together that are the same size, and will remain the same size. Most lizards will snatch at food at any opportunity, and have no qualms about attempting to eat another lizard species. If the two lizards are the same size, the chance of predation is lessened.

    • 3

      Keep species with agreeable demeanors together. Many lizards are considered to be aggressive, while others are considered timid or even friendly. Aggressive lizards are more prone to act aggressively toward other lizard species, and are therefore not a good choice for cohabitation. Also, where the lizard spends most of its time can make a big difference. A terrestrial lizard, which lives on the ground, can sometimes be more successfully housed with an arboreal lizard, which lives in the trees, as the two will come in less contact with each other.

    • 4

      Determine the food needs for each lizard species, and ensure that they match or are very similar. Some lizards may be bothered by large feeder insects, that the other species requires.

    • 5

      Provide a large habitat. Lizards usually require a large amount of space. Keeping two species of lizards in a very large habitat, which will allow each lizard to have its own territory, will lessen the threat of aggression between species. Aggression often manifest when two creatures are forced into tight quarters. Learn how much space each species would need if kept on its own. The habitat must be as large as the two space needs combined, or larger.

    • 6

      Provide separate basking areas, water dishes, hiding areas and climbing objects, if the lizards you have climb, for each lizard you are housing together. Again, this is because lizards can become aggressive when disputes over territory arise. Providing different options lessens this threat somewhat.