JacarandaAnimalHospital Blog: Care For Pets Animal Hospital

We may still be in the middle of the winter season and our animal hospital may be there to serve our needs, but we first need to ensure the safety of our pets, especially our dogs and cats during this time of bitter cold. But what if the pet is a reptile? Well hey, cats and dogs are pretty ordinary while turtles, reptilian lizards and pythons may sound cooler to you. However, if you are pretty new to the concept of housing an adorable, scaled, cold-blooded creature, then there are a number of aspects that you need to keep in mind first.

Know the laws

Laws in each state vary – this does not exempt reptiles. In one state, it may be illegal to own a Burmese python, but in the other, it could be perfectly fine. To avoid Wildlife officials and possibly, policemen from knocking on your door, you need to be able to check the rules and regulations before purchasing a scaled pet. Even if it is allowed in the state however, there are still strict rules and regulations, especially with regard to keeping venomous and possibly endangered reptilian pets.

Only raise the pet that's convenient to you

The most common household reptiles on American soil include iguanas, chameleons, turtles and tortoises, pythons and bearded dragons. Each reptile is raised in a different way, may have a different habitat and eat different food. For example, pythons can only eat meat, may it be mice, gerbils, or chicks. Also, it is important to change their aquariums/tanks as they grow – a hatchling needs a 10 gallon tank, while a mature adult needs a 40 gallon aquarium. Bearded lizards meanwhile, are omnivores and only require little space, a complete contrast to the cumbersome python. Always remember to only raise a pet that you can actually afford to raise and ensure that their enclosure is secure!

Nutrition

Unlike cats and dogs, you can't just go to your local animal hospital and buy bearded lizard feed – reptile food is not found in any pet store or animal clinic. However, there are commercially available reptile food, like mealworms for carnivorous and omnivorous reptiles. You may also need to purchase chicks, white mice, boneless chicken, cockroaches and other types of meat for pythons and other lizards that eat meat. For vegetarians like iguanas and omnivores like bearded dragons, fresh greens like collard greens, mustard greens, turnip greens and even dandelions. 

Temperature

Unlike standard pets like cats and dogs, reptiles are cold-blooded animals – meaning their body temperature is the same as the that of their environment. In this case you may need to install UV lighting on its tank in order to promote its growth and metabolism. Every reptile has needs that vary, so you need to be able to check it out beforehand. 

Overall, reptiles may not be your traditional pets and they may be different, but that does not mean that they cannot give the same amount of unconditional love to their owners – though you may need to think twice before cuddling with them!