How to Train a Lizard

Some species of reptiles respond well to human interaction, and it is possible to train your pet lizard to do simple tasks using repetitive hand-taming techniques. Baby leopard geckos and bearded dragons are easy to train and will quickly learn to recognize you as a friend and food source. With a little perseverance and regular daily routine, you can train your pet lizard to come to the front of its vivarium as you approach and feed it by hand.

Things You'll Need

  • Wax worms
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place your hand inside the vivarium, allowing your lizard to see it clearly. Turn your hand palm up using slow, gentle movements to keep your pet calm. A leopard gecko may run away at first until it learns to recognize your scent. Lizards taste the air and lick things as a form of recognition, so be prepared for a friendly lick or a defensive bite. Baby bearded dragons are extremely friendly and less likely to bite than a gecko. Do not attempt to pick up your lizard at this stage.

    • 2

      Talk to your pet lizard in a reassuring voice every time you put your hand in the vivarium and repeat the routine once a day. Soon your lizard will learn that you are no threat and begin to approach you during your daily hand-taming sessions.

    • 3

      Place a wax worm on the palm of your upturned hand and hold it inside the vivarium. Wax worms are relished by most pet species of reptile, and they are great treat food items. Your lizard may ignore your offer of treats for the first few days, but persevere and you should make progress.

    • 4

      Maintain a calm atmosphere and offer a wax worm to your pet at each hand-taming session. The lizard will eventually associate your presence with safety and a reward. After two or three weeks, you should be able to take your lizard out of the vivarium for a couple of minutes during interaction sessions. Increase the time outside the vivarium by a minute or two each day.

    • 5

      Sit on the floor and allow your lizard to venture away from you. Bearded dragons love being out of their vivarium. You can let them run freely in a secure room where there are no other pets loose. Train your dragon to come back to you by offering a wax worm on your upturned hand each time you take it out of its vivarium. Geckos are more likely to stay close and take a nap on your shoulder.