Believe it or not, not all reptiles are the same. Yes they often have scales or are slimy, may enjoy lots of heat and don’t have cute cuddly furry coats but their temperaments and behavior do vary quite a lot. Take for example the three commonly available types of reptiles, snakes, lizards and turtles. After deciding one actually wants a reptile the first step one might consider is which of these three is best. Before that some other things are worth thinking about like the following:
-How much the reptile costs
-What kind of food it eats
-Housing and lighting requirements
-Heating needs
-Lifespan
Since reptiles are ‘cold blooded’, they respond to temperature changes differently than humans and warm blooded animals. For example, when it is cold, reptiles slow down their metabolisms and sleep more than when it is hot. When it is warm or hot, their metabolisms speed up and they can eat and do more. Cold blooded reptiles take on a temperature similar to their surroundings whereas warm blooded animals are better able to maintain their internal temperatures despite some changes externally. The links at the bottom of this article provide useful care tips and reptile profiles. One can learn a lot about reptiles by having one as a pet, but it is important to do a little research before acquiring one.
Snakes:
Snakes can be low maintenance depending on the type. They can live in a cage as long as it is big enough and eat meat generally rodents live or dead. Their feeding schedules may vary depending on the season and the larger they are the more work is required to take care of them. Some snakes are constrictor snakes meaning they suffocate they’re pray before eating it while others use their venom. The smaller the snake, the lower the maintenance. All poisonous snakes should have their venom producing organs removed before sale to protect the owner regardless of experience. Some snakes may require a special license from one’s state.
Lizards:
Lizards are great pets; depending on which kind one is interested in they can change color, walk on water, sit on your arm, be hand fed and come in all kinds of sizes and colors. Chameleons can change color and have long tongues that stretch out to catch bugs but they don’t move very fast. Basilisks on the other hand are quick and agile and can even walk on water if they have a big enough pond and a good enough reason. Basilisks are flighty and don’t enjoy being handled but Bearded Dragons don’t mind it at all. In fact Bearded Dragons are very tame despite they’re scary name. They can be friendly and enjoyable pets that don’t require half the amount of attention as a dog. For those looking for a challenge Iguanas and Monitors require responsibility and dedication. These lizards can get very large and require constant handling from a young age to keep them friendly and tame. What’s more, monitors are meat eaters and need to be handled with care and require extensive cleaning up after. If one has the space and time both Iguanas and Monitors can be impressive pets if healthy. There are many other types of lizards as well, geckos which can stick to glass with their suction like hands and in the case of Madagascar Day Geckos even glow under certain light conditions. Almost all lizards have special heat and light requirements and some are vegetarian only while others are insectivores, omnivores or carnivores.
Turtles and Tortoises:
Turtles are water reptiles and Tortoises are land reptiles. The difference is most apparent in their feet as turtles have webbed feet and Tortoises do not. Some species of both can get very, very large and live a long, long time such as the Snapping Turtle and the Galapagos Islands Tortoise. These are exotic, wild tortoises and in the case of the Galapagos Tortoise protected. However, turtles can be found in pet shops and are very cute. Unlike snakes, Turtles and Tortoises eat fruit and vegetables and have special light requirements like lizards but may need to hibernate in the winter.
Reptile needs can be quite specific and it is important to know their needs ahead of time to ensure a happy life for them. It is difficult to obtain a new born reptile unless they are bred at home i.e. most reptiles have to be a certain age before being made available for sale to help ensure their survival and safety in the most delicate times of their life. Reptiles can be very rewarding pets, especially when chosen well. Like other pets, reptiles too require some kind of responsibility so it is good idea to be sure one can handle the commitment before hand or it may harm the life and future of the reptile.
Sources:
http://coolcosmos.ipac.caltech.edu/image_gallerie s/ir_zoo/coldwarm.html
http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/snakes/a/snakesaspe ts.htm
http://www.petreptiles.com/index.php3
http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/reptilesturtles/a/t urtlestortoise.htm
http://petcaretips.net/reptiles.html
