Reptile Buying Guide

Reptiles are becoming very popular as pets, but unfortunately that means more people are buying them on impulse and not researching their needs. This can lead to poor husbandry practices, causing the reptile to become ill or even die. There are also many more species available now than ever before, but not all commonly available species are suitable for beginners. The first step in buying a reptile should be done before even going to the store. Research is the key to a healthy pet.



Please read our guides below:

- Choosing a Reptile Pet Type
- Choosing Lizards
- Choosing Snakes
- Choosing Turtles and Tortoises
- Choosing Frogs and Salamanders
- Where To Buy A Reptile?



Choosing a Reptile Pet Type

The first research to do is what species is right for you. Do you want a lizard, a snake, or a turtle? A vegetarian, insectivore, or carnivore? Are you willing to provide a very large cage, or do you have limited space? Asking yourself these questions will help narrow down your choices. For instance, that little iguana may look cute at the store, but it will quickly grow into a 4-6 foot lizard that has special dietary and habitat needs. Every animals needs should be considered when choosing a reptile. 

Once you have narrowed down your choices, you need more details on its care. Read as many care sheets as you can, and learn as much as possible about the care of the animals you are considering. You may find that an animal you previously thought was a good choice is not at easy to care for as you think. Chameleons are getting very popular, but they are not a good species for beginners. They require very high humidity, but an all-screen cage, which is a difficult combination. In a glass cage they don't get enough ventilation, and they can be very stressed by seeing their own reflection in the glass. They often get picky about their insect prey and go on hunger strikes for no known reason. So before you make a decision, learn a species special needs.



Choosing Lizards

Choosing lizards takes time and research. Lizards require special habitats, special handling, special diets, and most of all special knowledge. Before choosing a lizard, research the care and feeding of lizards in general and then decide on a particular breed. Many lizards have a life span of fifteen to twenty years or more, so choosing a lizard for a pet is not a decision that should be made lightly.

Regardless of the type of lizard you choose, you will need to invest in a fair amount of equipment. For starters, you will need a tank of some sort. All lizards will require some sort of heat source, either for their entire tank or just a basking spot. Most lizards will also require some amount of humidity control. Many lizards require special lighting, especially ultraviolet lighting that simulates the effects of the sun.

Choosing lizards that are a good match for your experience level is important. If you are just starting out with lizards, a good species to choose is the leopard gecko. They grow to about 8-10 inches long, are easy to care for, and do not require special lighting. Other geckos that are good for beginners include Tokay geckos, fat tailed geckos, and Madagascar ground geckos. Bearded dragons, blue tongued skinks, and green anoles are also fairly easy to care for, but all of these lizards will require investing in some fairly expensive lights.

Other species of lizard, especially iguanas, can require a lot of effort and expense, and can grow very large or become difficult to maintain. Many lizards have life expectancies of at least 10 years, in many cases far longer, so it is important to be prepared to care for the animal for a long time.

When choosing lizards, start by talking to reputable dealers or other lizard owners you know. Try to select a reptile dealer who has received good feedback from previous customers.

To choose a healthy lizard, look at the overall physical condition of the animal. They should be neither unusually plump nor overly skinny. Their skin should look clean and free from cuts or bites, and should not have spotting that is inappropriate for the species. The lizard’s eyes should be clean and clear, and it should be alert and active. Before bringing home a pet lizard, be sure you have the environment completely set up and operational.

Choosing lizards means doing your homework before making your decisions. Be sure you consider all the needs of the animal, including how you will house it, what you will feed it, and how you will care for it, before choosing lizards.



Choosing Snakes

Choosing snakes takes time and research. Snakes require special habitats, special handling, special diets, and most of all special knowledge. Before choosing a snake, research the care and feeding of snakes in general and then decide on a particular breed. Many snakes have life span of fifteen to twenty years or more, so choosing a snake for a pet is not a decision that should be made lightly.

Many breeds chosen as pet snakes are constrictors, such as boas and pythons. Some of these may reach very large sizes, which should be taken into consideration before getting a hatchling snake. Research the general temperament of the breed, rather than choosing a snake based on its appearance. Some species, such as boas, are usually very docile in nature when raised from young snakes. Other related snakes, like pythons, may be less predictable in temperament. Choosing snakes that are right for your situation both now and in the future is important.

Be sure you are aware of the size to which your snake may grow, and have the suitable environment to house him. Some snakes require a very specific temperature gradient; others are comfortable in a less stringent range of temperatures. Likewise, you will need knowledge about your snake’s need for humidity, whether he will need a basking area, and what type of lighting is best for him. Regardless of the type of snake you choose, be aware that most snakes are very talented escape artists; you will need to be sure the enclosure you choose is very secure.

When choosing snakes for pets, think about their nutritional needs. Consider what your pet snake’s diet will consist of, where you will get this food, and how comfortable you will be feeding your snake. Pre-killed prey is recommended for most snakes, since live prey could cause injury to your pet snake.

Snake species vary widely; some are better for beginners than others. Good choices for beginning snake owners include corn snakes, ball pythons, or kind snakes. These species tend to have gentle temperaments, are fairly forgiving about their living environments, and are small in comparison to some other snakes, growing to around 4 to 5 feet on average.

Venomous snakes are never a good choice as a pet. Not only could they potentially injure you, if the snake were to escape it could injure others and you may be liable.

Choosing snakes means doing your homework before making your decisions. Be sure you consider the needs of the animal, how you will house it, and how much of a long-term commitment you are willing to make before choosing snakes.



Choosing Turtles and Tortoises

Choosing turtles and tortoises takes time and research. Turtles and tortoises require special habitats, special handling, special diets, and most of all special knowledge. Before choosing a turtle or tortoise, research their care and feeding. Many turtles and tortoises have life span of fifteen to twenty years or more, so choosing one for a pet is not a decision that should be made lightly.

The terms “turtle” and “tortoise” can be used somewhat interchangeably, and often are. The term tortoise usually refers to a specific type of land-dwelling turtle, with a high, dome-shaped shell and thick hind legs. Tortoises use water for drinking or some bathing, but do not live in the water. By contrast, the term turtle is more inclusive, referring to any member of the order of testudines. Choosing a turtle or tortoise that is right for you means considering habitat and care needs carefully.

Consider where and how your pet will live when choosing turtles and tortoises. The environment for your pet turtle depends largely on whether it is a land turtle or water turtle. Land turtles and tortoises require an enclosure with a soft area for bedding and a space for water. Some experts recommend against using a glass tank or aquarium because the environment can easily become overheated. Some land turtles are adept at climbing, so make sure the walls are high enough to keep your pet turtle in.

Water turtles require water in their environment. A glass aquarium is ideal for this, provided it holds water at least as deep as your pet is wide. Observe your turtle to see how well he swims, and add water if he is a strong swimmer. Even water turtles need a break from swimming, so be sure your turtle also has a dry place to rest.

Humidity is another important environmental factor for turtles and tortoises. Turtles will benefit from humidity levels that are as similar as possible to their natural habitat. Humidity can be controlled by your choice of substrate, as well as by humidity adding equipment like misters. For tortoises from very dry environments, a substrate of rock, sand, or gravel usually works well. For dry environments, it is especially important to have good airflow. Substrates that retain moisture, such as moss or bark mulch are good choices for turtles requiring more humidity in their environments.

Keep dietary needs in mind when choosing turtles and tortoises. As a very general rule, most tortoises and land turtles are herbivorous, meaning their diet consists entirely of plant matter. Aquatic turtles are usually carnivorous, meaning the majority of their diet (65-90%) consists of meat, with the remaining portion made up of plant matter. Semi-aquatic turtles are most often omnivorous; their diets are usually roughly equally split between meat and plant matter.

Young turtles usually get along with one another, but that normally changes as they mature. Take this into consideration when choosing turtles or tortoises. If you get more than one young turtle, plan to move them to separate enclosures as they get older. Choosing turtles and tortoises with their long-term care needs in mind is important.



Choosing Frogs and Salamanders

Choosing frogs and salamanders as pets can be fun and rewarding. Be sure you are prepared for the special care needs of these pets. Doing your research before choosing frogs and salamanders will help ensure a happy and healthy relationship with your pet.

Frog species number in the thousands. Some of these are suitable for pets, others are not. When choosing frogs as pets, carefully consider what type of environment (aquatic or terrestrial) the frogs will need, what size the frogs may grow to, and what specific care needs the frogs will have. Good frog species for beginners are African Dwarf Frogs, Oriental Fire-Bellied Toads, and White’s Tree Frogs.

Choosing frogs requires knowledge about their habitats. The environment you need for your pet frog depends on the breed. Some frogs live entirely in the water (aquatic); others need land areas as well (terrestrial). Be sure you have a secure cover that allows air to flow freely, such as a screen. Pet frogs can be very sensitive to containments, including their own waste, in their tanks so it is important to keep their environment clean.

Most frogs eat crickets and mealworms. Some large frogs eat mice. Frogs generally prefer live food. Frogs do not generally eat a wide variety of foods; the same diet day after day is usually fine. No bowls are needed for your pet frog; you can simply drop live crickets or mealworms into the tank. It is important for the frog to watch its prey move before it eats.

Salamanders are amphibians and are related to other amphibians like frogs and toads. Salamanders and their close relatives, newts, are a family of around 350 different species, and are found in North and South America, and the temperate zones of Asia, Europe, and Northern Africa. Salamanders are often either fully terrestrial (land-dwelling) or fully aquatic (water-dwelling). Newts, on the other hand, often live in the water beginning in the spring, when they breed, moving to land by late summer through winter

When choosing salamanders, consider their home. The type of environment needed for your salamander depends on the type it is. Terrestrial salamanders do well in terrariums. As in the case of most lizards, a bigger tank is better, allowing your salamander more space to move. Aquatic salamanders need the largest aquarium you can manage, to help reduce the build up of ammonia from their waste. All types of salamanders should be kept in tanks with tight-fitting ventilated lids. Some salamanders are very accomplished climbers, and can even use bodily secretions to enhance their suction as they climb

Salamanders require water for drinking and a diet of worms, slugs, and crickets. Both terrestrial and aquatic salamanders respond to movement in their prey, so live food is a necessity. A mix of beetles, pillbugs, earth worms, meal worms, and small moths or other night-flying bus (for terrestrial salamanders) or small aquatic crustaceans (for aquatic or semi-aquatic salamanders) will provide a good diet

When choosing frogs and salamanders, look for visibly healthy animals. Choose frogs and salamanders with plump bodies and firm legs, with clear eyes. You should not be able to see the rib bones of the salamander, but he should not appear bloated either. When choosing frogs and salamanders, the reptiles skin should feel smooth and look clear, with no discoloured patches or visible cuts.



Where To Buy A Reptile?

If buying a reptile the best place to buy is always directly from a reputable breeder. Reptile breeders may be located through our reptile breeders lists.

You can buy a reptile from a pet store or breeder. If they are not found in your locality you may very well ask for them in neighbouring cities because pet store owners and breeders having pet reptiles are less when compared with pet animals or pet birds. You can also advertise in any medium like newspaper or internet. This will generate a better response because if pet reptile owners want to give away their reptiles they will contact you immediately as there are no rescue organizations to take care of the abandoned ones.

It is illegal to grow certain pet reptiles. Therefore, you must check the law of land and ensure that the pet, which you intend to buy, does not fall under the forbidden category. No doubt you are taking lot of risks in having a pet reptile and so you must ensure that the risks are well calculated.