Is A Pet Reptile Right For You?
Pets truly enrich our lives and are cherished members of our families. To ensure the best experience with your furry, feathered, (or scaly!) companions, it’s important to carefully consider which pet suits your family, home, and lifestyle. Many pets are relinquished due to mismatched expectations, so take your time, gather your family, and reflect on these crucial questions…
Who will care for your pet reptile?
Getting your kids involved in caring for your pet reptile can be a fun experience, but it’s really important that an adult is around to help supervise and maintain the daily care. Some reptiles can carry bacteria, which can affect humans, so it’s important to practice good hygiene when handling your reptile. Young children may need a little extra supervision and guidance on cleanliness around their new pet to stay safe and healthy. If you’re planning to travel, your reptile will usually feel more comfortable staying in its familiar environment, cared for by a trusted friend or a service. Just remember, not everyone is experienced with reptiles, so finding the right pet sitter might take a little effort!
Does a pet reptile fit your lifestyle?
Reptiles can be an excellent alternative for individuals (like Lavender) who are allergic to pet dander. They are among the oldest and most intriguing species on Earth. They come in a striking array of shapes, sizes, and colors, each thriving in a unique corner of our planet and have developed fascinating adaptations to survive in water, trees, underground, and on land. While pet reptiles may not require as much daily attention and exercise as our more active cats and dogs, they still deserve a little extra care and attention. You can ensure they thrive and avoid any health issues that might arise from stress, poor diet, rough handling, or unsuitable living conditions.
Each reptile is unique and has its own special needs. They can’t truly control their body temperature, so providing the right temperature and humidity range is essential. Appropriate heating, lighting, and housing matters too, especially since many reptiles will outgrow their initial setups and require various upgrades to their enclosures and care throughout their lives. Don’t forget to delve into research about your specific reptile! It’s crucial to learn about their origins, dietary preferences, and what their ideal environment looks and feels like. Creating the right habitat is vital; some reptiles enjoy climbing and need vertical space, while others prefer flat surfaces to lounge on or some hiding spots. Some reptiles prefer not to be handled, and simply observing them from a distance can be incredibly rewarding.
Allowing them the option to express their natural behaviors and providing the opportunity to do so in captivity is crucial for their long-term well-being.
Can you afford a pet reptile?
Reptile prices can vary quite a bit depending on the species, their rarity, age, size, and beautiful colors! It's important to keep in mind that the supplies and care can often cost more than the pet itself, as many reptiles will need bigger enclosures as they grow. Some may also need specialty lighting fixtures with bulbs that should be swapped out every 6 to 12 months. While many reptiles enjoy fresh veggies daily, others munch on live insects like worms or crickets, and carnivores might rely on regular meals of mice, rats, chicks, or even rabbits!
Be sure you can provide a suitable diet and are comfortable feeding your reptile their preferred diet; for instance, if you’re not keen on feeding frozen/thawed rodents, it’s probably best to skip getting a carnivorous snake. If you don’t like dealing with insects, you might have issues keeping them for feeding your lizards. It’s also possible for the other pets and humans in your life to stress out your new reptile friend, so keep that in mind when making the best decision. Just like any family pet, reptiles can get sick and might need an exotic vet's help from time to time, so regular check-ups are a great idea.
Most reptiles depend on the sun to keep them warm and to help regulate their metabolic functions, such as their immune system and calcium levels. When caring for a pet reptile, this can be achieved by providing artificial light in the spectrum appropriate for that species. Some reptiles, although attractive and unique, are inappropriate for all but the most advanced keepers because they have such sensitive needs and not meeting them would be detrimental to the animal's life. Permits may be required to keep certain reptiles and some species are prohibited as pets in various states and municipalities and under some housing rules.
How to Choose a healthy pet reptile?
Reptiles are available at reptile shows, reptile specialty shops, online reptile markets, and occasionally from shelters or rescue groups. You can get them at some pet stores, but we recommend getting them from a knowledgeable and reputable source, who can provide some after care support. Most pet reptiles are bred in captivity by ethical breeders, but some are illegally taken from their environment and sold as pets. Be sure to research this prior to purchase so you don’t encourage illegal or irresponsible trade practices. Reptiles bred and raised in captivity as future pets are likely to be healthier and live longer than those captured in the wild and their purchase supports responsible reptile breeding and management.
Become familiar with the normal weight, coloration, and activities of the species you want to keep, prior to purchasing the animal, purchasing a species specific book is a favorite place to start. Carefully look over the animal you are considering buying. You should not see any external parasites or wounds and the reptile’s skin and eyes should be clear and smoothe. Ask about diet and if the reptile has been eating and shedding regularly (if not, there may be a health problem).
Your exotic veterinarian is best qualified to evaluate the health of your new reptile, they can advise you about proper nutrition, parasite control, housing, grooming and other care for your new pet. Schedule an initial wellness exam so your exotic vet can evaluate the general health of your new pet reptile and check for external parasites (as well as internal parasites through a fecal sample). New animals should be quarantined in a separate room for at least 3-6 months and kept away from other reptiles in the household, your exotic pet veterinarian can determine when it is safe to introduce the new reptile to the rest of your household.
Is a pet reptile right for you?
Welcoming a pet reptile into your family is such an exciting adventure! It also means taking on the responsibility of caring for a living creature. You are responsible for the impact your new scaly friend will have on your family, friends, and community, and you’ll be sharing many happy moments together over many years. So, take the time to make this journey as fulfilling as possible for everyone! Remember, by choosing a pet reptile, you’re making a promise to love and care for them throughout their entire life. So make a thoughtful choice, keep that promise, and get ready for one of life’s most delightful experiences!
If you ever truly feel that your pet reptile isn't the right fit for your family, please don't hesitate to reach out to the breeder, your exotic pet veterinarian, or a local reptile rescue for support in finding a loving new home. It's important never to release your pet into the wild, they will struggle to survive and could pose health risks to themselves and other animals.