Herp Nutrition

Deciding on which reptile is right for your family can often be daunting. There are so many different species available, such as lizards, snakes, and turtles. When choosing a reptile. You must think about several different aspect of the type of reptile care it will require.

Here are some things to consider when selecting your pet:

Size of the Reptile

How large does the animal get? Some of the lizards can grow to a length of five to six feet, while some species of snakes can grow up to ten feet or more in length and weight over 150 pounds. Make sure you know what you are getting yourself into in terms of size of the reptile.

Life Span of the Reptile

Consider the life span of the reptile. Some ball pythons can live up to 40 years, while a turtle may still be around 75 years later. This, of course, will be dependant on the quality of reptile care given and the initial health of the animal. Many of the snakes over eight feel long will require two or more people to properly handle. Be sure you have access to another individual who is comfortable handling your pet and providing its reptile care if you are away.

Personality of the Reptile

Think about what type of personality you want in your reptile. If you want to display the reptile, but not interact much physically with it, you can consider some of the more common reptiles that tend to be stressed out when handled. However, if you want to hold your reptile on a daily basis, there are some reptiles better suited for this.

Food Habits of the Reptile

The reptile care of your pet will obviously include feeding the animal. If you are uncomfortable with feeding a lizard or snake live food, consider one of the herbivore lizards. These lizards will only eat vegetation and fruit. If live food isn’t a problem, there are a number of reptile sites online that offer frozen food to provide the proper reptile care and nutrition your reptile will require.

Reptile Care

Proper reptile care will also include cages, watering dishes, climbing structures, and water areas. Be sure you know which type your pet will prefer by speaking with the seller of the reptile. You will also find a wealth of information on reptile care on the internet.
Consider speaking with a veterinarian about the reptile care of the pet. Be sure the veterinarian is familiar with reptiles and is knowledgeable about these animals as well.

Special Requirements

Finally, will your chosen reptile require any special requirements? Many reptiles will need special heating equipment or will need a lot of time in the sun. Consider this type of reptile care when selecting your pet. Some of these reptiles will definitely require more reptile care, and more time than others.
A reptile can be a great chose for a pet, as long as you are well-informed as to the reptile care and attention needed for a long, healthy life. Be sure to research thoroughly so you can make an informed decision on which reptile is right for you.