A young girl contemplates the possibility of acquiring a lizard for a pet. She is warned that lizards need habitats that resemble their homes in the wild. Depending on the size of her chosen lizard, she will need a small terrarium or a large one. Basic needs for a variety of lizards are mentioned. These include chameleons, bearded dragons, and geckos. All lizards need food (live insects) and water. The insects are kept in a separate cage and they also need to be fed. Lizards need sunlight or the warmth from a special lamp. Cleaning terrariums is a yucky job which must be done frequently. Lizards are not cuddly like some pets, but they are fun to watch. Reviewing the quiz at the end will help the reader to decide on whether or not a lizard is a good pet to consider. The colorful cartoonlike illustrations and the question/answer format of much of the text will appeal to youngsters wanting a pet. Titles of books and websites offer resources for further information. Part of the “Do You Really Want a Pet?” series. Reviewer: Phyllis Kennemer, Ph.D.; Ages 6 to 10.
