Choosing and Preparing for a Reptile as a Pet

Cage setup is an important step. You want to do this at least a few days before getting your reptile, so you can monitor temperatures and adjust accordingly. Simple cages are often best at first, to monitor your animals health and prevent any parasites from hiding in decorations.

Most species will do well in an aquarium lined with paper towels, with simple plastic hide boxes, and food and water dishes. This will let you check for things like mites on the skin and floor of the cage, parasites in the stool, etc. You can tailor this design to your reptiles needs. Some species, especially lizards and turtles, will need UV light. This can only be provided by a good reptile bulb, like a Reptisun 5.0, or an Active UV heat light. You will also need a heat source, which can be an overhead incandescent bulb, or an under tank heater. Heat rocks are not a good alternative. They tend to develop hot spots and can burn your pet. Use a good digital thermometer to measure temperatures. The plastic stick on kind sold for reptiles are often inaccurate. Measure temps several times a day for several days to check for any fluctuations that need to be adjusted.

You will also need to have your food supply ready. Will you need veggies, insects, rodents, or a combination? Make sure you get your food from a reliable source. For herbivores, variety is the key. Use as many different ingredients as you can, and make sure it is washed thoroughly. Insects should be kept in a secure container, with nutritious food of their own for a few days before feeding them to your reptile. This will assure that the insects are a nutritious food source. Rodents should never be fed live to your reptile if at all possible. It takes only a second for a rodent to inflict a severe bite wound, and they can even kill a reptile. If you do not feel comfortable killing it yourself, try to find a good source of frozen rodents. These can be thawed and warmed before feeding, and are often an easier option, because you can buy in bulk and store them in your freezer, eliminating a weekly trip to the pet store for live rodents.

Choosing an Individual

Now that you have everything ready, it's time to choose your animal. Pet stores are the most common source, but reptile shows and even online classifieds and websites are a good place to look. When selecting a pet, there are a few things to look for. Check for clear eyes, with no cloudiness or discharge. Keep in mind though, a snake getting ready to shed will have cloudy eyes. The animal should not appear thin or dehydrated. It should be active when handled, exploring it's surroundings. If there are any droppings in the cage, check to make sure they are firm, not runny. Ask to see the animal eat. An animal that refuses food is likely ill, so avoid any animal that is not eating. A healthy reptile will not feel like a featherweight. They should have good weight for their size. Skin should be clean, with no pieces of old shed stuck, and no loose folds. Check for bits of skin around toes and tails. These are common areas for skin to get stuck.

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