Want a Lizard, Turtle or Snake?

Want an unusual pet?  Cats, dogs and even birds are just a little too ordinary for you? Maybe a pet reptile is the right choice for you.  Before you visit a pet store to look at the wide variety of reptile pets, do your homework and know what your reptile pet’s requirements are before you commit to buy one.

Reptiles (snakes, lizards and turtles) and amphibians (frogs, newts, salamanders and chameleons) are categorized as “herptiles.” And because they are different, snakes, lizards and other herps have different care requirements than other household pets. These creatures are so special that there are different care guidelines for each species.

People with little or no knowledge of how they should be kept sometimes obtain reptiles. Unfortunately some pet stores give out faulty information when selling these animals. Therefore it is important that you do your research before bringing a reptile pet home. Find a reputable veterinarian or pet store that deals with reptiles and is familiar with their proper care.

Size matters when you’re considering a reptile for a pet. Contrary to popular belief, housing your reptile in a small tank does not mean that your reptile’s growth will be stunted. His health, however, will be poorly affected. A Burmese python, for example, is common in reptile stores; however, a young two-foot Burmese can grow to up to 30 feet and weigh up to 200 pounds.  Make sure to know how big the animal will be when it reaches maturity so you’ll be prepared to properly care for it throughout its lifetime.

Think carefully about what kind of cage or enclosure your reptile will need. Reptile homes need to provide enough space for mobility and must be escape-proof, both for your safety and your pets’.

There are commercially available diets for some reptiles; however, most need fresh food. For example, some species of reptile require food such as mealworms and mice while others may need fresh fruits and vegetables to make up the majority of their diet. Make sure you’re willing to research the diet and spend the money and effort, as you may need to purchase fresh food two to three times a week.

At Warren Woods Veterinary Hospital we have care information sheets available for your reptile friend.  You can get access to the information by visiting our website www.wwvhcares.com or emailing us at general@wwvhcares.com.   Also, you can go to www.reptilechannel.com/care-sheets to get reputable care information on various reptile species.