Many people find reptiles to be fascinating and would like to keep them as pets. Many reptiles can be kept in captivity and it is advised to do the necessary research before getting a particular type of reptile for your home. Reptiles have been gaining a lot of attention from the scientific community in recent years because of the various benefits that they bring to humans. These reptiles can either be kept as pets or for other economic purposes, but you have to learn how to take care of them properly. Keep on reading to find out which reptiles are ideal for beginners such as yourself.
1. Corn snake
This type of snake is known for its docile temperament making it the perfect pet for anyone including children because you don’t have to worry about it when handling them. Additionally, these animals are extremely easy to feed since they can survive on frozen/thawed mice all year round which makes this species cost-effective in terms of maintenance. One good thing about this type of snake is that you don’t need a large tank because adults measure up to 4ft (1. m) in length and juveniles only grow up to 2ft (60cm). They also come in various colors and patterns so you’ll have a lot of reptile pets to choose from. You can have multiple snakes in your tank if you intend to breed these reptiles. Just keep in mind that snakes have different mating habits, which is why you should not include other snake species with your corn snakes. For these particular snakes, they need to undergo brumation (hibernation for cold-blooded animals), warming, shedding, and then mating. Their mating season is usually around March to May, so make sure to care for your pet within this timeline after their brumation.
2. Green anole lizard
You may think that lizards are difficult or even dangerous reptiles but that’s not the case with the green anole lizard because these creatures are very gentle, so there’s no risk of being bitten by one. However, you have to handle them gently to avoid being scratched by their claws. These lizards don’t need much space to rest or hide so a small terrarium would be enough.
3. Ball python
This is a type of python with an average length of 3-4 feet and weight between four and ten pounds with most individuals averaging at five feet long and weighing 7kgs (15 lbs). These reptiles require a wide terrarium with a length of 2 times the snake’s body size along with many footholds in order to stay in shape. They also need branches where they can rest and climb to exercise their muscles.
4. Russian tortoise
If you want reptiles that can live in your home all year round, this is the one for you because it’s cold hardy which means that it thrives when the temperature goes down. However, this reptile only requires a simple setup with a few inches of substrate and hiding places made from rocks or cardboard boxes covered with mulch. Once every week, spray its habitat lightly using water from a spray bottle to imitate rainfall and provide humidity indoors.
5. Red-footed tortoise
This tortoise has an attractive red stripe running from its nose all the way to its shell making it a gorgeous addition to any family. However, this reptile is not recommended for beginners because they move quite slowly which means that they need plenty of room for moving around. Adult red-footed tortoises require an enclosure between four and eight square feet with a height of 12 inches or more.
6. Crested gecko
These geckos are recognized for their unique crests on their heads which grow during their adulthood that’s why they’re also called “cresties”. They’re very easy to handle but they require warm temperatures between 70F-80F degrees during the day while their nighttime temperature should be 60F or below. The humidity must also stay at its correct level which is 70 percent for babies and 80 percent for adults so these geckos can drink enough water.
7. Leopard gecko
This type of gecko comes in various colors but the most common one is spotted with dark brown spots all over its body giving it an amazing vibrant look especially when placed under UV light. However, these lizards only require simple setups like sturdy branches where they can perch on as well as rocks or cork bark pieces so they can hide inside them if ever threatened by something.
8 . American alligator
Believe it or not, this is the closest you can get to having pet dinosaurs at home! These reptiles grow between 7ft (2m) to 13ft (4m) in length depending on what they eat mostly. However, they’re quite expensive because of their size so if you cannot afford them then smaller-sized lizards are recommended like the ones mentioned previously.
9. Green iguana
If you’re new to reptile pet hobbies, you might want to avoid this type because they require high maintenance and cautious handling. They are good pets for advanced owners but only if taken care of properly in terms of heating, UV light exposure, feeding, and waste disposal. These lizards are popular because of their size with adults measuring up to 6ft (2m) in length. They’re not too fragile either unlike other smaller-sized lizards that need special care during handling them. The only problem is, large reptile enclosures take quite a lot of space while children might get hurt by accidents such as falling down or stepping with their feet.
10. Water dragon
These are large lizards that grow about 8-11 inches in length when fully grown. Their size is quite intimidating but their behavior makes them easier to handle because they’re friendly and mild-tempered, especially during their younger years. They require shallow water containers with a ramp for easy entry and exit plus non-toxic plants too.
Reptiles are always a good choice to have as pets. They can be highly beneficial for people who want to start having pets and love nature. The reptiles that are most commonly thought of as pets to keep inside your home are lizards and turtles. These can make ideal pets to keep as they don’t need as much care as other reptile species such as snakes or alligators.
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