Reptiles for Beginners
Posted on August 9, 2010
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The last thing you want when bringing a reptile home from the store are big surprises. That’s why it’s always best to do your research – so you won’t be unprepared when you find out what it truly takes to keep your new pet happy and healthy. From reptile supplies to climate to reptile diet, everything must be taken into consideration so that you and your new pet can both have a great experience.
The reptiles that are listed in this article, which we feel are good for beginners, fall into this category because they are relatively low maintenance compared to other reptiles. Of course they will still need an investment of time and money (equipment, food, etc.), but they require less of an investment than those reptiles needing complex diets or environments. We still stress to do your research (especially if specific reptile species are under consideration) so you won’t bring home a reptile you’ll have problems taking care of.
Geckos, specifically Leopard Geckos are perfect for the beginner. Since they are small, a 20 gallon tank is all the size they need. Plus, they don’t need specialized lighting because they are nocturnal. (If you’ve done your research, you already know that!) Best of all, they are easy to handle and the among the gentlest of lizards.
Snakes are great for beginners – as long as you can handle feeding them their diet which is preferably pre-killed whole mice or rats. Of course, they typically only need feeding once a week, which is good if you’re going away for a few days and need to leave your snake alone. Corn snakes only reach three to five feet. They are docile and easy to care for but watch out – they know how to escape if the lid to their tank is not tight enough. A Ball Python reaches the same size of a corn snake and can live for twenty to thirty years. They are docile and also easy to care for.
Turtles. We’re mentioning turtles here because most people think they’re the perfect pet for beginners. Actually, the opposite is true. Turtles (most commonly found are the red-eared sliders) are messy and can get very large. This means you’ll need a large tank or aquarium along with ultraviolet light to help keep them healthy. The most important thing is to know the proper dietary and environmental requirements of the specific turtle you want before deciding to bring one into your home. They take a great deal of preparation and equipment.
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