Reptiles & Amphibians As Pets
When it comes to buying a pet, many people have different preferences; some are inclined towards marine animals. Some have a fascination for birds, and some are drawn towards reptiles and amphibians. But buying yourself a new pet isn’t a piece of cake. A lot of research and basic information is required before adopting any animal.
If you are one of the reptiles and amphibians pet lovers, this is the right article for you. In this blog, we will be discussing some of the highly preferred pets which will be readily available at any pet store. Let us discuss some of the basic knowledge about these pets, which is reasonably necessary before debating about the particular animal care and issues that an individual faces after keeping them as a pet.
Legal Allowance Of Keeping Reptiles As Pet
Reptiles are not like any other usual animal, which is relatively safe to keep them around. Some are very dangerous and have toxic venoms, too, which can be lethal as well. However, depending on the area wise there are some laws associated with keeping such reptiles as in many places, venomous snakes and alligators are entirely prohibited from keeping as pets. So before choosing a reptile as a pet, you should have proper knowledge of whether you are allowed to keep a reptile or not.
Things To Consider Before Keeping Reptiles And Amphibians As Pets
A lot of owners like to have reptiles and amphibians as pets are because of multiple reasons. Such as they don’t require much of the care, quite different, or maybe hypo-allergic, and can turn out as a great choice as well. Even though reptiles and amphibians are easy to take care of, each animal individually requires some proper care requirements. So before deciding on the animal, you can see the caring conditions and can choose the animal that fits best with your living lifestyle.
Reptiles and amphibians naturally exist in many shapes and sizes depending on the type of animal you are willing to have as a pet, but some animals have some higher caring needs; however, most reptiles and amphibians are pretty low maintenance.
Furthermore, if you are a beginner or veteran but some reptiles and amphibians make as great pets. The one thing to keep in mind is that no matter how low maintenance these pets are, they require some significant investment for the bare essentials, which is reasonably necessary for their better living.
Worst Reptiles Pet For Beginners?
As these species aren’t like any other pet animal to keep them as pets. However, some of the reptiles are still not safe to keep at, such as a giant snake and iguanas, which are pretty much moody and aggressive and can be dangerous too.
Things To Be Careful
Before buying yourself a reptile, some of the essential information you should know is Salmonella infections. It has been seen in the pet owners of reptiles and amphibians there are chances of salmonella infection. However, it has been warned to all the veteran and amateur reptiles and amphibian pet owners to maintain the proper hygienic environment and be careful every time you make contact with your pet.
The Essential Equipment Of Reptiles And Amphibians
Unlike other animals, they require extra care and environment to get comfortable with their habitat, including heat. This is an essential requirement; if not fulfilled might lead to other problems as well. Proper heat and light are the primary requirements to keep the pet happy and healthy, which ultimately makes them quite expensive. So before buying any pet for yourself, make sure of having proper knowledge of all required conditions from these animals.
What Reptile And The Amphibian Animal Will Be Best For You?
When choosing a pet for yourself, it depends on your preference and choices whether you want to go with reptiles or amphibians. But before buying the animals, make sure the pet you are selecting is not stressed, dehydrated, or has some ill condition that might later cause some severe illness. So these were some precautionary measures that you must keep in check with before buying your pet as your health is also linked with their health.
Another thing that is also suggested when it comes to buying reptiles and amphibians is that captive breeding of these animals is preferred because these animals are pretty healthy, legal to keep a pet, and quickly found from pet shops or suppliers. You will not be burdened on your shoulders of depleting these wild species populations or causing them any harm.
Reptiles As Pets
Turtle
Other exciting species that belongs to the reptile class are turtles that are also kept as a pet. Turtles are not low maintenance or easy to handle. Most commonly found turtles are red-eared sliders that are pretty messy, get large with time, and long-lived also need the proper exposure to ultraviolet light. If you are up for providing all the necessary living requirements to turtles and taking care of them as a pet you can go for them. The most concerning thing about keeping turtles as a pet is their dietary intake, which should be given extra care depending on their environmental behavior.
Turtles spend some of their time in water and on land, and far as keeping turtle as a pet is concerned, you should give them some space for spending their time in the water. Turtles naturally acquire webbed feet and are omnivores, which also make their water life easier.
Turtle diet includes a wide range of things that will be easily found, i.e., crickets, worms, fishes, vegetables, and pellets. Turtles can grow up to 11 inches long and can easily live for 30 years or more
Lizards
These lizards are pretty easy to care for and very friendly, and low maintenance. These are easily handled and mainly used lizard species used as a pet. These lizards are nocturnal and require dark places to hide during the daylight; however, they require ultraviolet Blighting. These lizards can grow up to 11 inches and can live for 20 years easily.
Leopard Gecko
This nocturnal lizard is mostly found in the regions of Afghanistan, Iraq, India, and Pakistan. The adult measures up to 7 inches on average and weighing almost 150 grams, and males are larger than females. They can live up to 30 years with ideal living conditions in captivity.
Bearded Dragon
Many people are confused with the names of this lizard; these are lizards, not literal dragons. These lizards are considered gentle pets also an excellent choice to keep as pets if you don’t know. These are named bearded dragons because of their beards; however, they like to eat almost every food, such as worms, crickets, and even vegetables. But before buying these, make sure of having enough space and time. These lizards can quickly grow up to 24 inches and easily live up to more than a decade.
Apart from these lizards, some lizards are still not recommended for beginners based on their size and other complications—for example, Iguanas and monitors and Chameleons.
Before buying yourself a pet lizard, make sure you did the proper research on what is available depending on the kind of care you can provide to these pets. Another thing to remember is that these animals require a huge tank with enough space for their habitat and substrates and faux environments to be comfortable. Some of the pets may also require UVB light sources for basking purposes.
Snakes
Snakes are also one of the most preferred, which are kept as a pet from reptile species. When it comes to their well-being, they are pretty easy to handle, easy to take care of, easy to feed, and can also be easily tamed. The good thing about keeping snakes as a pet is that they don’t eat very often, but the thing to keep in mind for their feeding purpose is that sometimes they want the whole prey to eat, such as mice and rats. Snakes can undoubtedly live up to 15-35 years straight, though it varies from species to species. These are carnivore animals, and for die, purposes can also be given frozen diets of rodents.
Snakes don’t require extra ultraviolet lighting for their survival; also, there are some dangerous species of snakes as well—for instance, venomous snakes and large constrictors that are usually not preferred to beginners.
Amphibians As Pets
Frogs
Many people are confused with the names of this lizard; these are lizards, not literal dragons. These lizards are considered gentle pets also an excellent choice to keep as pets if you don’t know. These are named bearded dragons because of their beards; however, they like to eat almost every food, such as worms, crickets, and even vegetables. But before buying these, make sure of having enough space and time. These lizards can quickly grow up to 24 inches and easily live up to more than a decade.
If you are quite busy in all your daily routine and can spare some time for them as a pet, then these will be your perfect animal to keep as pets as they are low-maintenance and easy to handle.
Hoping this article might have helped you give the basic knowledge of having reptiles and amphibians as pets. Having them as pets is not a difficult task, especially these days all you need is to know the personality traits and basic requirements of these animals, and you can match them according to your needs. Voila, your perfect reptile/amphibian pet is ready. The only essential key is the thorough research on these animals, that’s it.
About Author
I have been lived and raised in Michigan. Waters and pets are always close to my heart. I own many pets including dogs and cats since my childhood. Therefore, I have the experience of years of working with pets. During the whole time, I experienced a lot of different pet behaviours. Therefore, I embarked on a journey to tell all the other pet owners about better management of their pets. I have also visited and volunteered at a pet centre in Michigan. I love to educate people and myself about having a better relationship with their pets.
