Reptiles are becoming
very popular as pets, but unfortunately that means
more people are buying them on impulse and not
researching their needs. This can lead to poor
husbandry practices, causing the reptile to become
ill or even die. There are also many more
species available now than ever before, but not
all commonly available species are suitable for
beginners. The first step in buying a reptile
should be done before even going to the store.
Research is the key to a healthy
pet.
Choosing a Pet
Type
The first research
to do is what species is right for you. Do you
want a lizard, a snake, or a turtle? A vegetarian,
insectivore, or carnivore? Are you willing to
provide a very large cage, or do you have limited
space? Asking yourself these questions will help
narrow down your choices. For instance, that
little iguana may look cute at the store, but it
will quickly grow into a 4-6 foot lizard that has
special dietary and habitat needs. Every animals
needs should be considered when choosing a
reptile.
 Once you have
narrowed down your choices, you need more details
on its care. Read as many care sheets as you can,
and learn as much as possible about the care of
the animals you are considering. You may find that
an animal you previously thought was a good choice
is not at easy to care for as you think.
Chameleons are getting very popular, but they are
not a good species for beginners. They require
very high humidity, but an all-screen cage, which
is a difficult combination. In a glass cage they
don't get enough ventilation, and they can be very
stressed by seeing their own reflection in the
glass. They often get picky about their insect
prey and go on hunger strikes for no known reason.
So before you make a decision, learn a species
special needs.
Preparing for
Your New Pet
Now you know what
you want, but don't rush to the store just yet.
What kind of cage do you need? What about food,
heat, light, etc? You may have read some care
sheets, but books are even better. Buy at least
one or two books on your species, to get more
information. Some even have some great tricks of
the trade that a shorter care sheet may not
mention. This will help you prepare for the next
step-setting up the cage.
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