October 21st is Reptile Awareness Day! Reptiles will probably never overtake Fido and Fluffy as the most popular pets, but they are gaining ground. It isn’t hard to see why, either. Reptiles are beautiful, interesting, and quiet, and many of them are quite easy to care for. If you’re thinking about getting one for yourself, read on! A local Lexington, KY vet offers some advice on adopting a reptile below.
Do Plenty Of Research
Reptiles’ care needs can vary drastically. A full-grown iguana could be six feet long, and would basically need its own room, as well as customized meals and several supervised soaking sessions a week. A corn snake, on the other hand, may be fine in a 20-gallon tank, and might only need to eat about once a week. You’ll also want to consider longevity. Some reptiles can live for decades! A green anole lizard, on the other hand, only has an expected lifespan of a few years. Look before you leap!
Choose The Right Pet
If you’ve never had a reptile before, you can expect to face a learning curve. Start with something that’s gentle, fairly easy to care for, and won’t someday require you to put an addition onto your house. For lizards, Bearded dragons and Leopard geckos are good options. If you’re looking for a snake, consider a rosy boa, king snake, or corn snake.
Get A Good Vet
Finding a good veterinarian that is experienced in herp care is extremely important. This isn’t just about having somewhere to take your pet if they get sick. It’s also helpful to have someone trustworthy you can get some general care and advice tips from.
Don’t Skimp On Equipment
One of the biggest things reptile owners need to be concerned about is their pet’s habitat. Reptiles have some very specific environmental needs. You’ll need to get some special equipment to not just create these conditions, but also to maintain and monitor them. Quality products are definitely worth splurging on!
Buy Responsibly
Unfortunately, the increased interest in reptiles has come with a cost. Animals are still taken from the wild, and either sold on the black market or bred. Only buy pet reptiles from ethical, responsible breeders or stores.
Please do not hesitate to reach out if ever we can be of assistance. As your Lexington, KY pet hospital, we’re here to help!
