
The majority of Americans have freshwater fish, dogs and cats as pets and most of those pet owners are knowledgeable about what supplies are needed before bringing one of these new pets. No one would bring home a new dog without a dish, a cat without a litter box or a fish without a bowl or tank. Since reptile ownership is not as widely popular, it is more difficult to know what supplies are necessary for proper reptile care when bringing home a new snake, turtle, bearded dragon, tortoise or lizard. When I stupidly bought my chameleon on impulse, I naively believed that the pet store had sold me a complete habitat as advertised and that the feeding instructions they had given me were all I needed to know about the pet's health. But reptile pets are not that simple. No proper care of a living thing is. I did my best to learn more about caring for the special little reptile I had fallen in love with but I was always a step behind. By the time I learned more about how I needed to do to properly care for my pet, it was too late. Very important things to consider when choosing the right reptile pet and preparing to bring the pet home are appropriate
- housing size needs now and as it grows
- enclosure type (some reptiles need mesh and air, others glass, others are jumpers and need proper security)
- tactile environment (substrate, bedding, rocks, branches, etc)
- heat and an accurate way to measure enclosure temperature
- lighting and an accurate way to control the lights
- humidity and an accurate way to measure enclosure humidity
- water (drinking water, bathing water or both, necessary filters and pumps)
- diet and supplements
- veterinary care (locate and contact the nearby exotic veterinarians as well as learn what nearby emergency veterinary clinics will see reptiles)
What kind of research do you do before choosing a pet or to help the pets you have now thrive?