Essential Reptile Supplies
Taking care of your pet reptile can be a truly exciting and rewarding adventure and having access to the right supplies makes all the difference in ensuring a positive experience for both you and your pet! It’s essential to remember that keeping things clean and tidy is super important, as this not only contributes to the health of your scaly friend but also enhances their quality of life. Make sure you have all the necessary tools and equipment to create an optimal habitat that will keep your reptile happy, healthy, and well-fed. From proper substrates to suitable enclosures, every detail matters when it comes to providing the best care for your unique family pet!
Enclosure
When it comes to determining the ideal space for your scaly friend, it's all about their length! In simple terms, you can calculate the size using:
Pet Length W x ½ Pet Length D, ½ Pet Length H.
For instance, a 4’ long terrestrial pet reptile will comfortably fit in an enclosure of 4’W x 2’D x 2’H. Keep in mind that their needs may change based on their age and preferred environment; while small hatchlings enjoy snug spaces, arboreal reptiles require room to climb. Some species need room to roam, turn or swim, much longer than their body length. The key is to find what makes your pet feel at home! Now that you’ve picked the right size for your enclosure, let’s talk about the best material for your reptile’s home!
PVC is a fantastic choice and our top pick for cages! It’s lightweight, super easy to put together, a breeze to clean and sanitize, and it holds up well in both dry and humid conditions. Just a heads up, PVC might need a little resealing or maintenance after a few years of use. There are also heavy-duty single-molded HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) cages, which are great for long-term housing of adult pets since they're quite durable, but they can be a bit pricey. For new pet owners, sizing up can feel a bit tricky, so remember to keep things simple in the beginning!
Glass can be a beautiful choice for your setup visually, but keep in mind that it can get quite heavy once put together and may not offer the best security for your pet reptile. We recommend covering three sides with black window film for added privacy. Glass works well in humid spaces like aquariums and paludariums, but it’s worth noting that it can be delicate and may leak or crack, which could be a concern for your pet. Also, remember to check your home insurance, as some policies might not cover aquariums, and if you're renting, your landlord may have rules about them, so it's something to think about!
Wood untreated and reptile-safe wood is a wonderful choice for custom cages, especially in areas where humidity and moisture are on the lower side. Just keep in mind that it does require a little extra love! Make sure to seal it well to keep it waterproof, and feel free to dress it up with a low-VOC, reptile-safe paint or stain and seal. Remember, painted wood will need a fresh touch and resealing every few years to keep it looking great! It's a bit tricky to clean and maintain in terms of sanitation, but with a little effort, it can really shine!
DIY: If you have some tools and a bit of know-how, building your own front-opening setups with molded plastic tubs can be a fun project! We love creating these as quarantine setups to help new animals adjust from breeders' rack systems to a cozy front-opening setup. Plus, it's a budget-friendly way to accommodate your pets as they grow until you're ready to invest in their forever adult enclosure. They're lightweight, super easy to clean, and allow great airflow for those high humidity environments. We really love their opacity and sustainability, but just a quick tip: using fine-grit sandpaper on any glossy surfaces inside can make a big difference. And don’t forget those secure lid clamps to keep your scaly friends safe; the more clamps, the merrier!
Next up is deciding whether a top-opening or front-opening enclosure is best for your little friend! This choice really boils down to the species you have, but generally, most pet reptiles feel a lot safer when they're picked up from below rather than from above, which can feel a bit threatening like a predator. Some reptiles do just fine in a top-opening setup, so it varies quite a bit; doing a little research will really help you find the perfect fit for your reptile buddy!
Water Dish
Every pet reptile needs a reliable source of water to keep them happy and healthy! It’s incredibly important for maintaining their hydration, adding a touch of humidity, and providing a place for them to soak. Ensuring your pet is properly hydrated is one of the best ways to help them thrive and feel comfortable in your care. You can find water dishes in various shapes and sizes, most of which are made from non-porous materials like glass or ceramic, which can help reduce bacteria commonly found in pet water bowls. Be aware that some reptiles may prefer the movement of water or even water droplets in addition to a water dish, so that's something to research thoroughly.
Substrate
Choosing the right substrate for your pet reptile is super important and can be really fun! Different reptiles have different needs based on their natural habitats. Some love the warm, sandy feel of a desert, while others thrive in cool environments like deciduous forests where reptile-safe wood chips like aspen can be a great choice. If your scaly friend prefers a little boost in humidity, coco chip or coco coir with sphagnum moss will do the trick. Plus, don’t forget to keep an eye on the humidity levels in your home too! A little research about your pet reptile will guide you in picking the perfect substrate that will keep them happy and healthy.
You may feel the need to get creative by mixing your own substrates or picking up a ready-made mix from different stores! Just a friendly tip: it’s best to hold off on these purchases until you've gathered some hands-on experience and learned a bit more about building substrates. Remember, these setups need specific microorganisms and inoculation to thrive, plus they should be cycled thoroughly before adding any animals. You'll also want to learn some basic gardening information, as living plants are part of these ecosystems, and will require their own special care. We’ll dive deeper into this topic in the advanced reptile keeping section!
Hides
Reptiles are fascinating creatures that inhabit many different environments, making it exciting to explore their unique habitats! Have you ever wondered where your scaly friend feels the happiest? Some enjoy snuggling in burrows or hiding under rocks, where they can feel safe and secure. Others prefer basking on tree branches, surrounded by plants, or even curling up beneath a soft pile of leaves on the forest floor. Each of these habitats offers its own advantages and challenges, contributing to the remarkable lives of these incredible animals. Some might need to be buried, some might sit on the ground, and some might even be attached to the ceiling. Keep this in mind when selecting a hide spot for your pet reptile.
Thermostat
One of the most crucial items you'll need for your pet reptile is a thermostat. This device helps you manage the heating element you select, ensuring your scaly friend remains safe. Without it, your heating device can become excessively hot and operate at full power, which isn't safe for our scaly friends and can cause serious harm or even death! Each heating element will need a specific type of thermostat, whether on/off, pulse, or dimmer. If there is anything you choose to go without, please ensure you have a thermostat for use with your specific heat source! We cannot stress this enough.
Heating & Fixture
Keeping your pet reptile warm and happy is incredibly important since they can’t regulate their body temperature like we do. To help them feel comfortable, you’ll want to provide a heat source such as halogen lamps, ceramic heat emitters, or radiant heat panels/projectors. These options create a warm basking area for your scaly friend, much like the sun’s warmth! They’re excellent for supporting digestion and maintaining your pet's overall well-being. The best option will depend on your pet reptile's specific needs and the ideal setup for them, but keep in mind you will need a fixture rated for the minimum wattage of your heat source.
Lighting
Lighting can be a fun topic to explore for reptile keepers! While opinions vary on what's best for our scaly friends, most agree that providing visual spectrum LED lighting is essential for your reptiles vision. You can use this lighting in a whole room or just in their individual enclosures, it really helps your pet reptile navigate its environment. Even those nocturnal buddies appreciate having a day/night cycle with some visible light!
Some keepers prefer to offer UV light for their reptiles, but it’s a bit more advanced and requires some extra knowledge about the right fixtures, the specific needs of the animal, UV percentage, and Ferguson Zones. Plus, you'll need special tools to monitor UV levels and to know when it’s time to change those bulbs!
Temperature Gun
One incredibly useful tool you’ll want to have for your pet is a Temperature Gun. They're easy to find and inexpensive, but one of the best investments you can make. It enables you to check the surface temperatures of those warm basking spots to keep your scaly companion safe and burn free!
Thermometer & Hygrometer
Two handy tools you’ll want to keep nearby is a thermometer for checking air temperatures and a hygrometer for measuring the relative humidity of your enclosures. Being able to monitor both temperature and humidity is extremely important to ensure your pet reptile remains happy and comfortable! You can get a thermometer/hygrometer combination device, or purchase them separately. They also come in digital formats that allow you to monitor from a phone app or through Wi-Fi.
Reptile Cleaning Supplies
When it comes to our reptile friends, it’s easy to overlook the importance of cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing. While it may not be the most exciting topic, keeping both you and your pets safe can be simple and hassle-free! So, how can you prevent bacteria and viruses, and what are some common health issues to prevent? What is the difference between cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing when it comes to your pet reptiles equipment?
Cleanser removes debris like feces and urates from the surface of an object. This is crucial to the use of either disinfectant or sanitizer.
Disinfecting is the removal of bacteria through the use of chemicals.
Sanitizing is the removal of both bacteria and viruses through the use of chemicals.
Hand-Cleansers & Sanitzers
One of the best ways to maintain cleanliness and safety when handling your pet reptiles is by washing your hands thoroughly. Just use some antibacterial soap and warm water, and scrub for at least 20 seconds after touching pet food or handling your scaly companions.
When you can't wash your hands, your best method is an alcohol based hand sanitizer over 60%. Remember, hand sanitizers can't always eliminate all the germs, so it's important to use a sufficient amount of coverage when you use it and allow your hands to air dry. Always wash your hands as soon as you are able.
Dish-Cleansers
Keeping your pet's bowls clean is very easy and important! Just like hand washing, using simple methods can make a significant difference. Be sure to use hot water along with some antibacterial dish soap, and scrub those bowls regularly to keep bacteria at bay. You can choose regular antibacterial dish soaps or opt for specialized pet-friendly cleansers like F10 cleanser. Don't forget to remove any debris! This is a crucial step in ensuring your bowls are ready for disinfecting and sanitization.
Disinfectants & Sanitizers
After scrubbing and rinsing clean, it's a good idea to regularly disinfect or sanitize your pet reptile dishes. You can use multiple methods, and each is effective in it's own way.
Vinegar & Water - Vinegar is considered a natural way to clean your enclosures. While not as strong as bleach, it does have some disinfecting properties. Vinegar must always be diluted with water for cleaning pet enclosures and must be rinsed with water.
Hydrogen Peroxide - depending on the dilution and time applied, this can be an effective method of sanitizing dishes, enclosures, equipment, & decor. It is a corrosive chemical so should be used with gloves and protective eye-wear, be sure to cover any exposed skin. Hydrogen peroxide is light-sensitive so shouldn't be kept in clear bottles.
Bleach - Bleach and water have been a tried-and-true method for a reason, but it can be harsh and should be used with proper ventilation, along with protective gloves and eyewear, away from any animals. Never mix bleach with anything other than water!
Chlorhexidine - A medical sanitizer that is used on animals and humans. Can be diluted and used safely around animals to clean surfaces, dishes, and enclosures. We make our own wipes and use them for spot cleaning enclosures and tubs.
F10 - A veterinarian grade, animal-safe, sanitizer that can be used for wiping down surfaces, equipment, and enclosures.
Other Reptile Supplies
Feeding Tongs
Reptile supplements
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Enrichment & Decor
Enrichment and decor go beyond essential needs like hides and water dishes—they're about making your reptile's home a more interesting place! Think of enrichment as anything that enhances your pet's life and allows them to express natural behaviors. This could include climbing branches, basking ledges, novel textures, targets, feeding puzzles, and even scent trails. You can also consider a shift box or dig box as enrichment if it encourages your pet to engage in their natural behaviors, especially if there's a tasty treat waiting for them inside!
Enclosure Enrichment
Adding perches in reptile enclosures is a great way to provide access for both semi-arboreal and fully arboreal species. Placing them near heat sources helps reptiles regulate their body temperatures. By varying perch distances from the heat source, we can create a temperature gradient that allows our reptiles to bask or roam as they prefer.
Placing perches at slightly above optimal temperatures can encourage exploration. Incorporating vertical options (like rocks or vines) along with horizontal surfaces transforms the enclosure into an adventure playground! For instance, rattlesnakes benefit from a large flat rock for spotting prey. The emerald tree boa also benefits from frequent changes in perching to stay active.
Misting, whether done manually or automatically, boosts activity levels and aids shedding. Water features like shallow pools help with humidity, and adding plants and moss can maintain moisture. Natural substrates like soil and wood chips allow reptiles to display natural behaviors like burrowing. Providing the right conditions for pregnant females is vital to avoid complications like egg binding. These substrates may also hide insects for foraging.
Creating cover enhances the enclosure. Arranging plants around perching areas maintains a natural look while offering visibility. Forward-facing caves made from rocks provide cozy hideaways, allowing reptiles to choose their comfort zones. Additionally, substrates in caves enable personalization! These shelters foster security and provide low-light spaces.
For some snakes, “hide boxes” can even encourage feeding. Remember, enclosure size and design vary by species. Larger enclosures facilitate enriching features while maintaining temperature, moisture, and light variations. They also minimize bacteria buildup, leading to less frequent substrate changes. Some species may even become more active with additional room!
Feeding Enrichment
Did you know that many enrichment ideas for birds can also benefit reptiles? For example, naturally decaying logs filled with insects or artificial logs can promote foraging behaviors. Chameleons thrive on daily live insect snacks, while other reptiles can benefit from occasional live prey. Offering goldfish to turtles, feeder fish to snakes, or fresh wild crickets for lizards enhances their foraging. Adding earthworms to a turtle's substrate encourages exploration. Iguanas love munching on nontoxic browse plants, and arranging branches for leafy perches can keep them engaged for days.
Venomous snakes often release their prey after a strike and then will track it later. If captive snakes exhibit less tongue flicking, live prey can help enhance this behavior. Create a little adventure by dragging a dead prey item to leave a scent trail for them to follow. Changing the feeding schedule can also boost their predatory instincts, making them more active!
Social Enrichment
Did you know that reptiles can explore with their senses? By introducing a shed from another healthy animal or other novel scent, you might observe them flicking their tongues and exploring allover, especially during certain seasons and depending on the species. And with some behavioral training, we can successfully introduce animals to shift boxes and designated areas where they can be safely held during cleaning or for emergency vet visits or even enrichment! This not only supports their health and well-being but also provides them with fun challenges that enhance their quality of life.
Mister/Sprayer
Many advanced keepers like to use fogging, misting, or spray systems to create the perfect environment for their scaly friends. It sounds amazing, right? But remember, it’s a more advanced topic that needs some know-how about water filtration and misting gear. Jumping in without the right tools might cause some hiccups in your enclosures and could affect your pet’s health. If you’re just starting out, it’s often best to keep your setup simple to ensure everything goes smoothly. For those of you with humidity-loving reptiles, you’ll want a way to boost humidity levels without turning things into a swamp, as too much moisture can lead to sores and blisters. Depending on your unique species, there are plenty of ways to achieve that perfect balance!
First, let's talk about water quality, because it really matters! Depending on your species, the quality of your water could be detrimental. There are multiple ways to address water quality, from super easy to very complex. We're going to focus on the simple methods here.
Reptisafe drops/water conditioner
Filtered Water
Reverse Osmosis and other complex filtration systems
Other Supply #3
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