Reptiles comprise a diverse group of animals with widely varied environmental and dietary needs. Unfortunately, a large number of reptiles in the pet trade suffer and die needlessly, due to being maintained in improper environmental conditions, with inadequate or improper diets. A good deal of research is needed before bringing home a reptile as a pet.

Of all the reptiles, snakes are the easiest to keep. This is not to say that they are easy to keep! All snakes are carnivores, and must be provided with appropriate whole prey. Some snakes have very specialized diets – some only eat frogs, some eat other snakes. Some snakes grow quite large and will eventually need large food items, like rabbits. Be sure that you have a reliable source for the correct food items before you acquire a particular species.

Lizards and chelonea (turtles and tortoises) fill all dietary and environmental niches. There are herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores. There are desert species, and those from the rain forest, savannahs, temperate zone. Some live in trees, under rocks, still others spend most of their time in the water. If you chose an herbivore, like an iguana or tortoise, you’ll spend a good deal of time in the produce isle and in the kitchen preparing "salads". Owners of large monitors must provide whole prey (usually rodents), and many lizards and turtles eat live insects. Be sure to find a species that you are able to comfortably feed and house. As with snakes, some of these species can grow quite large, which you will need to take into account when you are tempted to buy that cute little lizard or turtle in that tiny tank in the pet store.

Many reptiles have special lighting requirements. Most lizards and chelonea require UVB light in order to make use of calcium for bones and muscle. True UVB lights are expensive and have to be replaced every 6-12 months, even though they look fine. Sunlight is the best source of UVA and UVB, but you must be extremely careful when taking a reptile outside – a warm lizard or snake can move very fast! Unfortunately, they don’t get any benefit from sitting by the window, as UV is filtered by glass, and to some extent by screens.

All reptiles are ectotherms, and rely on ambient heat to control their body temperature. They need an appropriate temperature gradient in their environment. That means that they need different temperature zones within their environment. Temperature affects the immune system, feeding, metabolism, growth, reproduction and activity. It is difficult, if not impossible, to establish a proper gradient in a very small enclosure. For this reason, I recommend against anything smaller than a 20 gallon tank, even if your chosen species is small enough to comfortably live in a smaller space. Appropriate humidity is very important for hydration and shedding.

It is best to plan for your pet’s adult size and activity level early on. As mentioned above, some species can grow quite large. Some, like Bearded Dragons, are very active, and require more space even with their relatively small size.

Keep in mind that your reptile will need regular veterinary care, starting with a post-purchase exam to look for signs of illness and check for parasites. This is also a good time to review your reptile’s care and environment. Providing proper diet and environment from the beginning will help you avoid costly veterinary care later on. As with all living creatures, reptiles can succumb to many illnesses and injuries, and you should be prepared to seek veterinary care as needed throughout their lifetime.

It really pays to do your research prior to making a purchase – for the animal’s sake as well as your own. There are many good pet stores that do an excellent job providing prospective buyers with accurate information. There are many others that don’t even house animals correctly themselves, and give very poor advice about properly caring for the species they sell. There are also many older books still being published that perpetuate erroneous information. I recommend you check several sources before making a decision. A good website to start your research is www.anapsid.org, An exotic animal veterinarian is also an excellent resource. With such diverse species available in the pet trade, you are likely to find a good match for your lifestyle.

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