If you are a beginner and looking for the best pet reptiles to own, consider the following 6 most popular reptile pets.
- Bearded Dragons
- Crested or Leopard Gecko
- Ball Python
- Corn Snakes
- Blue Tongue Skinks
- Turtles and tortoises
Best Pet Reptiles: Bearded Dragons
Native to Central Australia, bearded dragons are known to be one of the most popular pets among reptiles. Bearded dragons are known for their friendly and docile nature. They’re interactive, enjoy being handled, and have a lot of personality. They’re also hardy, making them a great choice for first-time reptile owners.
Since young dragons (less than 8 months old) are skittish and difficult to handle, sometimes jumping from hands and posing a major risk of injury, it is recommended for kids to have a juvenile or adult rather than a baby. In contrast, adults and juveniles are calmer, tolerate handling well, and may be caught more easily if they attempt to flee. Bearded dragons are rewarding long-term pets that can live around 10 years or more with a balanced diet of feeder insects and daily greens, as well as appropriate heat and UVB lighting. You can set up its habitat in a 40-gallon tank with a basking spot (95-110 degrees Fahrenheit).
These reptiles are generally more intelligent, which helps them recognize and trust their owners over time. A great example of this is shown in the documentary Lizard Kings, where Komodo Dragons were observed actively seeking out specific people they recognized. Bearded dragons “wave” their arms to communicate!
Best Pet Reptiles: Crested or Leopard Gecko
Crested geckos are quite cool and don’t mind being handled a lot, making them one of the easiest reptiles to care for. You can also obtain lots of amazing morphs. Leopard geckos are docile, easy to handle, and have charming personalities. Additionally, it is easier to set up its habitat in a small area; a 20-gallon tank will be sufficient for it. You can feed it live insects like crickets or mealworms that are dusted with calcium powder. These creatures have a long lifespan of 15-20 years, ensuring a long companionship.
Best Pet Reptiles: Ball Python
An excellent pet for novices, the Ball Python is a serene and laid-back snake. Since they often reach a length of 3 to 5 feet, they don’t require a large enclosure; instead, they just want a basic, well-organized space. Its wide diversity of colors and patterns makes each one unique.
It is one of its coolest features! It takes a long-term commitment to own one because they can live for 25 to 30 years. Their tendency to curl into a ball in response to fear or danger is the source of their name. Their diet is rather simple: when in captivity, they primarily consume mice or rats.
Corn Snakes
A corn snake can be a fantastic substitute if you’re not a huge lover of lizards! Quiet and tidy, these gentle, easy-to-handle reptiles need little daily attention. They have a lifespan of nearly 15-20 years. Hence, these are ideal pets for beginners. They come in various colors and patterns to choose from. They require only a secure container and a heat lamp to keep them comfortable.
Additionally, they are low-maintenance pets because they only require feeding once a week. However, remember that they are fed pre-killed mice, so make sure your family is okay with that. A corn snake may make a wonderful pet for both children and adults if given the proper care! Corn snakes are excellent escape artists, so secure their enclosure!
Best Pet Reptiles: Blue Tongue Skinks
These lizards have a snake-like appearance. These ground-dwelling animals are gentle, docile, and easy to tame. These are native to Australia, Indonesia, and surrounding regions. They have a lifespan of around 20 years or more. They have a striking blue-colored tongue, which is used as a defense mechanism to startle predators. These lizards are omnivores, so you must feed them greens, protein sources, insects, or worms.
Their docile nature and tolerance for handling make them a great choice for beginner reptile enthusiasts. You should provide a large enclosure for it to roam around in. Though they are docile, they can also bite if they are under stress.
Turtles and tortoises
Turtles and tortoises are particularly aquatic species that are entertaining. The main cautions I need to make about them are that they have extremely specific dietary and habitat needs and live for a very long time. In addition to having adequate water to swim in both horizontally and vertically, a freshwater aquatic turtle needs an enclosure big enough to allow them to completely exit the water to dry up and sunbathe when they want to.
In addition to the land space and hides that need to be cleaned, you essentially have the same care demands as a freshwater aquarium because the water needs to be filtered and, ideally, moving.
Conclusion
So, while reptiles won’t love you in the same way a furry pet might, with patience and understanding, they can still form a unique connection with their owners.
Despite being fantastic and fulfilling pets, reptiles lack affection. The word ‘tolerate’ will be used frequently.
