Tips on Keeping Snakes & Lizards as Pets

Reptiles such as snakes and lizards are intriguing animals with unusual features and behaviours.  Many types are bred in captivity and can make fascinating pets.  However, it’s crucial that you find out as much as you can about how to care for exotic pets before you buy one of these creatures.  Reptiles have specialised needs that must be met to keep them physically healthy and free from stress.  Owning a pet snake or lizard is a long term commitment and is not a decision you should make lightly.  You must be prepared to devote time and money to caring for your pet.  Here are some things you should bear in mind before you become an exotic pet owner.

Research

It’s important that you do some thorough research before choosing what type of snake or lizard to buy.  There are many different species on sale in exotic pet stores.  Some are more hardy and easier to look after than others.  You must also ask yourself what you want to get out of having a pet reptile.  Do you want a pet that you can handle and interact with?  Or are you more interested in simply observing your pet’s unique behaviour?  This is important because different reptiles have very different temperaments.

For example, geckos and bearded dragons tend to be easy to tame and are generally docile by nature.  On the other hand, some lizards such as monitors, although interesting creatures, can be aggressive.  They also grow very large, which is another thing to consider when buying a lizard.  Some snakes are cannibalistic, so must be kept on their own, whereas some reptiles will happily share their tank.  Reptiles can live a long time in captivity, over 20 years in some cases, so you must be prepared for that commitment.

You should also know the law about keeping snakes as pets where you live.  Because some snakes are poisonous, and some, such as pythons and boas, are constrictors that could be potentially dangerous, there are rules and regulations about owning them.  In many countries you must apply for a license before buying a dangerous snake.

Equipment

You will need a suitable tank to keep your exotic pet in.  It must have a secure lid to prevent your pet from escaping, especially if you’re buying a snake as snakes are able to escape through even very small gaps.  You will need to put a heat pad on the outside of the tank to make sure it’s always warm enough.  Reptiles need warmer and cooler spots within their enclosure.  It’s a good idea to provide a heat lamp at one end as a hot spot, which you should turn off at night to maintain a natural cycle of day and night.  In addition, UV lamps are needed when keeping lizards as pets to provide them with a source of vitamin D, which is essential for their health.

You will need to find out what sort of material you can put on the floor of your tank, which will depend on where your pet would live naturally in the wild.  For instance, some reptiles like to burrow in sand or soil, others spend their time in trees.  You can furnish your tank with pieces or wood, stones and other hiding places, but make sure you sterilise anything before you put it in the tank to prevent disease.

Diet

Unlike dogs or cats, reptiles won’t thrive on a diet of commercially prepared food.  You will need to feed them a diet that’s similar to what they would eat in the wild.  In the case of lizards, this might be live crickets, locusts and mealworms, plus slugs and insects you catch in your garden.  Pet snakes are usually fed pre-killed rodents, such as mice, rats or chicks, depending on their size.  How often you need to feed a pet reptile will depend on various factors, such as its age and size.  It’s a good idea to keep a record of your pet’s feeding habits, so you can quickly spot signs that it’s off its food and may need to see a vet.

As you can see, there’s a lot of work involved in owning an exotic reptile as a pet.  However, providing you learn as much as you can about how to care for your chosen species, a lizard or snake can make a very rewarding, if unusual, pet.