Yes, reptiles make great pets! There is such diversity in the reptile
world that there is an animal for almost everyone. Typical reptile pets do not require as much room as other pets and
are usually quiet animals; not to mention they don't have to go outside to go to the bathroom! These qualities
make them great pets for people who live in apartments or have demanding schedules.
How do I know what type of reptile is right for me?
It is important to do your research before you buy any animal, but especially
a reptile. Visit a reptile show in your area or a local pet store. If you see something that interests you, do
your homework! Read up on the species online or in books. Never buy an animal until you know how to take
care of it.
There are a lot of questions you must answer before you know which animal will suit you best.
Here are just a couple:
What type of prey items do you feel comfortable feeding your pet? Some animals need
to eat mice or rats. Others needs insects like crickets. Still others prefer fruits or veggies.
How much time do you want to spend with your pet? Some reptiles tolerate being handled well, it stresses some out,
and others shouldn't be handled very often at all.
How much room do you have to house your pet? A crested
gecko takes up a lost less room than a full grown red-tail. And remember, animals grow...just becasue it fit in
your hand when you bought it doesn't mean it will in 3-years.
How long of a commitment do you want to
make to your pet? Most chameleons have a life span under 10 years. Some tortioses can live to be over 100!
Ask questions of whoever you buy your animal from. If they can't tell you how to properly take care
of it, chances are the animal has never been taken care of correctly.
Sometimes I will see people list their animals with numbers in front of them. What do those
numbers mean?
Herpers use a system to quickly let others know the sex of their animals and
how many they have of each. Often you will see something like this:
1.0 Chameleon 0.3 Geckos 2.3
Ball Pythons
The number before the period is the number of males. The number after the period is the number
of females. So, the person above has 1 male chameleon, 3 female geckos, 2 male ball pythons, and 3 female ball pythons.
