Wow, you sound like me when I was a kid. You name it (short of most reptiles) I had it. Never had one, but I just LOVE bearded dragons! My Mom and Grandfather were phobic about snakes and lizards so I think I only got by with a horned toad and frogs. Maybe a regular toad or two. Here in San Diego we have a lot of Alligator Lizards and it was my duty to chase them away from the house (or get them out if they got in.

I'll never forget my grandfather (a very manly man in all other respects) standing on the kitchen table ordering me and/or my grandmother to get that "thing" (read 1-foot long alligator lizard) out of HIS house! LOL I think I was around 7.

I found one about that long yesterday when I was cleaning out the planting under the stairs. It's been cold (okay, low 60's -- cold is relative!) and he wasn't moving very fast. I rearranged the stuff he was on and covered him back up. We are expecting a large storm, so I wanted things clean so the sidewalk would not be a muddy mess.