How to Choose the Right Reptile for You
Appraise your level of experience in caring for reptiles., Consider your budget., Decide how much time you can commit to caring for a reptile., Consider the size of the reptile., Talk with your family.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Appraise your level of experience in caring for reptiles.
If you can sum your experience up with "look at those awesome lizards at pet stores," choose an easy to care for reptile perfect for beginners, such as leopard geckos or corn snakes.
Reptiles such as iguanas or Burmese pythons, and most turtles or tortoises, are best for experienced reptile owners who are knowledgeable about the animal's care and have owned or cared for similar reptiles.
If you are a beginner, keep in mind that choosing an expensive, high-maintenance reptile is very likely to lead to discouragement, wasted money and yet another unwanted animal. -
Step 2: Consider your budget.
Reptiles are exotics and can be very expensive to care for, as some require large enclosures with specific temperatures and humidity levels and care from an experienced veterinarian who specializes in reptile care.
The purchase cost of a reptile is very often far smaller than the cost of caring for a reptile
- a bearded dragon that costs $60 can cost you hundreds of dollars more to care for, especially if you purchased it from a chain pet store or if it's unknowingly sick.
Talk with your family honestly about how much you expect the reptile will cost, and decide if you can afford to purchase and care for it. , Reptiles are not "starter pets" or "easy to care for," and larger reptiles in particular require large time and financial commitments.
In addition, many reptiles can live for twenty or more years
- consider how events in your life (such as going to college, moving, having a baby, etc.) will affect your ability to care for your reptile.
You can't just put a reptile in the closet when you get bored with it like a child does with a new toy.
Decide if you're ready for the responsibility
- and boredom
- of cleaning the cage, preparing the food, handling the reptile if necessary, checking the temperature, etc. , Large reptiles require extremely large enclosures that are very expensive.
Very large reptiles such as anaconda snakes can be difficult to handle without assistance, and without regular handling they can become nippy and potentially deadly.
Smaller reptiles are less expensive but can be more skittish and difficult to tame.
Ask your family how comfortable they are with the size of the reptile you're considering, and consider how big of a commitment the reptile you want will become. , Bring up the idea of owning a reptile, and sit down together to discuss whether a reptile would be a good fit for your family.
Review species of reptiles, and discuss if anyone is afraid or uncomfortable with a reptile such as snakes.
Overview how much you expect the reptile will cost, and whether you will be able to cover all of it's needs or if some or all of the family will have to pitch in.
Is this going to be your pet, or a family pet? If it's going to be a family pet, who will feed the reptile, take it to the vet, clean the cage, etc.? Explain that most reptiles will have to be fed animals such as rodents and/or insects such as roaches.
Is the family comfortable with that? What about feeding the reptile rats or rabbits? Be honest about how much money and time you expect the reptile will require, and take your time while deciding if a reptile is a good fit for your family.
Remember that the entire family must agree.
Even if Sally is the only person afraid of snakes, respect that she's afraid of them and do not purchase a snake. -
Step 3: Decide how much time you can commit to caring for a reptile.
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Step 4: Consider the size of the reptile.
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Step 5: Talk with your family.
Detailed Guide
If you can sum your experience up with "look at those awesome lizards at pet stores," choose an easy to care for reptile perfect for beginners, such as leopard geckos or corn snakes.
Reptiles such as iguanas or Burmese pythons, and most turtles or tortoises, are best for experienced reptile owners who are knowledgeable about the animal's care and have owned or cared for similar reptiles.
If you are a beginner, keep in mind that choosing an expensive, high-maintenance reptile is very likely to lead to discouragement, wasted money and yet another unwanted animal.
Reptiles are exotics and can be very expensive to care for, as some require large enclosures with specific temperatures and humidity levels and care from an experienced veterinarian who specializes in reptile care.
The purchase cost of a reptile is very often far smaller than the cost of caring for a reptile
- a bearded dragon that costs $60 can cost you hundreds of dollars more to care for, especially if you purchased it from a chain pet store or if it's unknowingly sick.
Talk with your family honestly about how much you expect the reptile will cost, and decide if you can afford to purchase and care for it. , Reptiles are not "starter pets" or "easy to care for," and larger reptiles in particular require large time and financial commitments.
In addition, many reptiles can live for twenty or more years
- consider how events in your life (such as going to college, moving, having a baby, etc.) will affect your ability to care for your reptile.
You can't just put a reptile in the closet when you get bored with it like a child does with a new toy.
Decide if you're ready for the responsibility
- and boredom
- of cleaning the cage, preparing the food, handling the reptile if necessary, checking the temperature, etc. , Large reptiles require extremely large enclosures that are very expensive.
Very large reptiles such as anaconda snakes can be difficult to handle without assistance, and without regular handling they can become nippy and potentially deadly.
Smaller reptiles are less expensive but can be more skittish and difficult to tame.
Ask your family how comfortable they are with the size of the reptile you're considering, and consider how big of a commitment the reptile you want will become. , Bring up the idea of owning a reptile, and sit down together to discuss whether a reptile would be a good fit for your family.
Review species of reptiles, and discuss if anyone is afraid or uncomfortable with a reptile such as snakes.
Overview how much you expect the reptile will cost, and whether you will be able to cover all of it's needs or if some or all of the family will have to pitch in.
Is this going to be your pet, or a family pet? If it's going to be a family pet, who will feed the reptile, take it to the vet, clean the cage, etc.? Explain that most reptiles will have to be fed animals such as rodents and/or insects such as roaches.
Is the family comfortable with that? What about feeding the reptile rats or rabbits? Be honest about how much money and time you expect the reptile will require, and take your time while deciding if a reptile is a good fit for your family.
Remember that the entire family must agree.
Even if Sally is the only person afraid of snakes, respect that she's afraid of them and do not purchase a snake.
About the Author
Daniel Ryan
Dedicated to helping readers learn new skills in cooking and beyond.
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