Repsonsible Reptile Selection and Husbandry

Reptiles are a very diverse group of animals with a wide range of habitats and anatomic adaptations to suit them. They can be found on land, water, or both and range in size from a small lizard such as a leopard gecko to a giant crocodile. Reptiles are also poikilothermic, which means they cannot regulate their own body temperature and adapt to the temperature of their environment (cold-blooded).

Reptiles are extremely challenging pets to keep, care for and maintain in optimal health. Reptiles have very specific husbandry needs including their food, habitat, lighting, temperature and humidity. In order to attain optimal health in these species in captivity, the goal is to provide a captive environment as close as possible to the reptile’s natural environment in the wild which includes temperature, humidity, light-dark cycle and the terrain or landscape.

In veterinary medicine, the vast majority of health concerns that are seen on a routine basis all link back to improper husbandry.

When you are considering obtaining a reptile as a pet, the first step is taking all measures to ensure the reptile is healthy at the time of acquisition. Additionally, it will be very important to decide which reptile will fit best into the family dynamic. Once the desired pet reptile has been chosen, doing as much research as possible beforehand is critical for ensuring a healthy, long-term pet.

There are certain considerations that should be kept in mind when choosing which reptile is best for your family:

1. Life span: Some reptile shave incredibly long-life spans, such as tortoises – so long that they may end up in your will!
2. Temperament: There are certain reptile species that enjoy being handled and interaction, while others prefer to be solitary and left alone. Some reptile species may show signs of aggression and may pose a danger to your family.
3. Size: While your pet reptile may be small when you obtain it, they can quickly outgrow their enclosures and become very large!
4. Diet: Every reptile species will have a diverse and unique diet. Some reptiles are true carnivores and will eat frozen killed prey, some reptiles consume insects, while other feast mainly on vegetables.
5. Enclosure: The enclosure needs to be outfitted with the appropriate lighting, heat sources, humidity provisions, and temperature gradients. The enclosure also needs to be the appropriate size, and appropriate orientation, meaning that some reptiles prefer vertical enclosures (arboreal species), and some reptiles prefer horizontal enclosures (ground-dwelling species).

How to Pick Your New Reptile Pet

1. Only buy reptiles that were born and raised in captivity. You should never purchase a wild-caught species.
2. Never buy hatchlings or very small babies as they are very challenging to care for appropriately.
3. Always choose the bright and active reptile at the pet store. Ideally, you want to be able to observe the reptile eating in captivity, but if you are unable to visualize it eating, then requesting a copy of the food logs for the pet is entirely appropriate.
4. Ensure that you use all the excellent research that you did beforehand to examine the husbandry and housing of the reptile in the pet store. You want to know that your new pet is coming from a place of optimal husbandry, as poor husbandry at the start of life can result in challenges and health concerns later on.

What are the Risks of Owning a Reptile?

All reptiles are potential carriers of disease that are referred to as zoonotic diseases. Zoonotic diseases are those that are able to be spread from animals to people. The major disease risk with reptiles is salmonella. Any immunocompromised individuals, pregnant woman, or young children should not handle reptiles. There are certain steps that you can take as a family to ensure that you keep you and your family healthy.

1. Only purchase captive bred reptiles (no wild caught reptiles).
2. Always wash you hands after handling a reptile, its food, or anything in its environment.
3. Always wear gloves when cleaning your reptile’s enclosure.
4. Never kiss your reptile.
5. Keep anything from your reptile or it’s enclosure separate from food preparation areas in your home.
6. Never use your bath tub or sink to bathe your reptile.
7. Any wounds caused by your reptiles (bite or scratch) should be cleaned thoroughly and you should immediately consult a human physician.
8. Annual wellness exams with your veterinarian should be performed on your reptile pet.