Anole

[t1tanrush]

Leos are great because they don't require an expensive UVA/UVB setup. Plain old incandescent fish lighting will do. Anoles are often wild caught because they are hard to breed in captivity, bearded dragons require huge monstrous setups with all the UV stuff, but Leos will do good with a bowl of calcium, a couple of fish lights, and a 10 gallon tank. I've had anoles before and they tend to just drop like flies for no appearent reason, also they only live about as long as a betta. Leos live anywhere from 15 - 22 years. However, some leos like being held, while others don't. Just depends on the animal.

When I was young I had a beardie that I got as an adult that lived sometime in a 20 gallon (I know its too small I was 6..) with a simple lamp on top.. Beardies do NOT require a " huge monstrous " setup. A 55 gallon or 75 will suit one just fine, that isn't huge, and the reward you get is so much better. A larger more robust lizard that will personalize with you is a great choice, and for that you need a beardie. ;*) When I was young I must have gone through 50+ anoles, but back then I could buy them at the shop for 2$ for a green, and 3$ for brown ones, they died like every other day and most refused to eat.

 

[The_Dude]

That's because one, anoles are easily stressed. And two, most of the time, they've been imported from the wild, and therefore, refuse to eat due to stress or improper care. They're also notorious for being nearly impossible to breed in captivity. Oh and PS, I'm 5' 9", so a 55 gallon seems massive to me. plus I don't have the space for one. If they wanted a recommendation for an easy beginner herp, I'd say rough or smooth green snake or a corn or rat snake. Both of which, usually have great temperments and don't require UV of any kind because they're nocturnal. I'd say that a cornsnake would be best in the longrun because they are as personable as beardies, and they usually outlive them by 5 - 10 years. And in some cases, 15 - 20! But if the person gets a cornsnake, I hope they're up to feeding frozen mice/rats.

 

[t1tanrush]

I see, well cornsnakes are not exactly tiny snakes, and are the most overused beginner herp next to leos, maybe why I dislike them so much. Half the kids getting snakes end up with a corn or a ball python. Don't get me wrong they may be great snakes, but I personally want something a little more unique. If you want a good sized snake that isn't your every day corn/green get a pine/bull/gopher snake thats CB, nice snakes.

 

[The_Dude]

You don't see many scarlet kings out there. They seem like they're small enough to easily house on a budget and still be different enough to capture someone's attention.