When it comes to picking a pet lizard, color can be an important factor for many owners. Lizards come in a huge range of colors and patterns, from drab browns to vivid reds, greens, oranges and yellows. Choosing a brightly colored lizard can add an exciting pop of color to your vivarium display. But which lizard species have the most stunning, vibrant coloration? Let’s take a look at some of the most spectacularly colored pet lizard options.
Green Anoles
The green anole (Anolis carolinensis) is a small lizard native to the southeastern United States. It is also a very popular pet lizard. Green anoles can exhibit a range of bright colors. Their base color is typically a vibrant green, ranging from olive green to almost neon lime green. This bright green color allows green anoles to blend in with foliage in their natural habitat.
In addition to their green body color, green anoles can display particularly stunning colors on their throat fan. Dominant male green anoles have a red or orange dewlap (throat fan) which they expand to display and attract females. The contrast between the red throat fan and green body makes for a very eye-catching display.
Panther Chameleons
Panther chameleons (Furcifer pardalis) are another extremely colorful lizard species kept as pets. Panther chameleons are native to Madagascar and get their name from their ability to exhibit a very dark, almost black coloration at times. But they can also display a wide array of brighter colors.
Some key features that make panther chameleons so colorful include:
| Color | Description |
|---|---|
| Greens | Panther chameleons can range from yellow-green to dark green. Greens often appear in stripes and spots. |
| Blues | Various shades of blue may appear on the face, legs and sides. |
| Yellows | Bright yellow patches are common on the sides and legs. |
| Reds | Vibrant red coloration may be seen on the head casque and mouth areas. |
| Oranges | Panther chameleons can display vivid orange tones, particularly when excited or stressed. |
The combination of these diverse colors in bands, spots and patches makes panther chameleons very striking. The colors displayed can vary depending on the individual lizard, its mood, temperature and other factors.
Jackson’s Chameleons
Like panther chameleons, Jackson’s chameleons (Trioceros jacksonii) are also native to Africa and can show amazing color changes. In fact, Jackson’s chameleons demonstrate some of the most brilliant blues and greens among chameleon species.
Vibrant turquoise blues and vivid emerald greens are commonly displayed across the body, head, legs and tail of Jackson’s chameleons. Small neon blue spots also stud the lips and brows. When excited, males may turn almost entirely turquoise blue. At night, the colors fade to a pale gray or muted green. But Jackson’s chameleons can still change to show bright colors at night if needed. The vivid blues and greens make Jackson’s chameleons truly dazzling.
Crested Geckos
While not as brightly colored as some other lizard species, crested geckos can exhibit a range of hues. Native to New Caledonia, crested geckos are one of the most popular pet geckos today. Their ground color is usually various shades of brown, gray or reddish-pink. Overlaid on this base color are darker blotches, bars, spots and stripes in black, brown or orange. Some individuals may show hints of green, purple, red or yellow coloration as well.
But what really makes crested geckos stand out are their namesake crests. Located above the eyes, the crest is a flap of skin that can be quite vibrantly colored. Bright oranges, reds and yellows are common crest colors. When displayed against the more subdued body color, the crest provides an eye-catching pop of color.
Bearded Dragons
The inland bearded dragon is probably the most popular pet lizard today. Native to Australia, bearded dragons are easy to care for and make great pets. They also come in a very wide range of colors and patterns. Bearded dragons can be found in many different colors, including:
| Color | Description |
|---|---|
| Reds | Varying shades from pale pink to deep crimson |
| Oranges | Light peach to bright tangerine colors |
| Yellows | Pale yellow to bold golden tones |
| Greens | Olive, mint, emerald and lime green shades |
| Blues | Steel blue, sky blue, teal |
| Purples | Lavender to dark amethyst tones |
| Whites | Albino and hypo morphs are often white or cream |
| Browns | Tan, copper, chocolate, amber coloration |
High contrast patterns like bright yellows against deep blacks or vivid reds against pale creams further enhance the colorful appearance of these lizards. The incredible diversity of colors and patterns makes bearded dragons a very chromatically varied pet.
Common Collared Lizards
The common collared lizard (Crotaphytus collaris) is a larger lizard native to the southwestern United States and Mexico. It gets its name from the prominent black bands around its neck. But they can show an exceptional range of bright colors beyond these neck rings.
Males are especially brilliantly colored. They display vivid body colors ranging from neon blues to intense orange-reds to lime greens.Contrasting spots, stripes and ocelli patterns in black or white over the body further accentuate the flashy colors. When running fast, these lizards can appear almost fluorescent. The collared lizard’s speed and dazzling colors have earned it the nickname “mountain boomer.”
Plumed Basilisks
Also known by the name green basilisk or Jesus lizard, the plumed basilisk (Basiliscus plumifrons) exhibits some fantastically bright colors. Native to Central and South America, plumed basilisks live in rainforests near water. They are also fairly popular as pets.
Male plumed basilisks develop dorsal crests on the head, back and tail as they mature. These crests come in brilliant hues of turquoise, green and orange. Their throats and chops may turn bright orange or yellow as well. The body is generally emerald green with stripes of blue, orange and black. Add in their colorful head crests and the plumed basilisk is a feast for the eyes.
Chinese Water Dragons
Chinese water dragons (Physignathus cocincinus) are named for their green water-loving habits. Appropriately, they are also very green lizards. But they display much more striking color than their name might suggest.
Several factors contribute to the Chinese water dragon’s vibrant appearance:
– Bright grass green body color ranging from yellow-tinged greens to deeper forest greens.
– Contrasting black barred patterns across the tail.
– Vivid reddish-orange coloration on the throat and cheeks, especially in mature males.
– Distinctive crest on the neck and head colored yellow, orange or red.
– White lips lined with small blue dots or stripes.
The combination of fluorescent greens, vivid oranges and reds, and contrasting black and white patterns makes these lizards very colorful inhabitants for an aquarium habitat.
Conclusion
| Lizard | Colors |
|---|---|
| Green Anoles | Vibrant greens, bright red/orange dewlap |
| Panther Chameleons | Greens, blues, yellows, reds, oranges |
| Jackson’s Chameleons | Brilliant blues, emerald greens |
| Crested Geckos | Oranges, reds, yellows in crest |
| Bearded Dragons | All colors, high contrast patterns |
| Common Collared Lizards | Neon blues, vivid orange-reds, lime greens |
| Plumed Basilisks | Vivid turquoise, orange, green crests |
| Chinese Water Dragons | Bright greens, neon orange/red accents |
There are many brightly colored lizard species to choose from as pets. Chameleons like panthers, Jackson’s and veiled are hard to top for their amazing color-changing abilities. But bearded dragons and collared lizards also come in a rainbow of colors. Even more subdued species like crested geckos can show attractive spots of color.
When it comes to the most colorful lizards, looks are highly subjective. But chameleons, collared lizards and bearded dragons stand out for their particularly diverse and vivid coloration. Vibrant greens, oranges, blues and reds abound. Their ability to display combinations of intense, saturated hues makes these types of lizards exceptional in the colors department. Any of these species can make a stunningly colorful addition to a herp collection.