Care of Reptiles

Research your reptile so you know what it needs in terms of habitat, what food it eats, how often it needs to eat, and how much living space it requires. Determine if it needs a humid or dry environment and if it needs a cage or an aquarium.

Select the healthiest reptile available. Reptiles from professional breeders are the best source of a healthy creature. Breeders sell reptiles for a living, so their reputation is important to them.

Ask the breeder about the difference between captive-born and wild-caught reptiles. A wild-caught reptile may be diseased or filled with parasites. The stress level of a wild-caught reptile is also a consideration. Stress can cause maladjustment in the reptile. A captive-born reptile has no stress from leaving the wild and losing its freedom.

Create the same environment for your reptile as it would live in if it were in the wild. Don't put an iguana in a tank filled with water and 100 percent humidity. Some reptiles live in rain forests and others in deserts. Some reptiles are nocturnal while some are diurnal. You will need to make adjustments to the reptile's environment to match its natural instinct. Set up the habitat for the reptile before you bring it home.

Prepare a diet for the reptile that matches its dietary needs. Snakes for example eat mice and rats. Chameleons eat insects, and iguanas eat fruits and vegetables. If your reptile is carnivorous, you will need to feed it other living creatures. Be prepared for this reality. It is one thing to own a reptile and another to feed it living creatures.

Manage the diet of the reptile to prevent overeating. Overeating is dangerous since it can create health problems similar to those of overfed humans. Underfeeding the reptile can make it aggressive. A hungry reptile will search for its own food source. When purchasing fruits and vegetables from a grocery store, select organic fruits and vegetables for your reptile; don't feed it pesticides that are harmful to its health.

Maintain a healthy, clean and safe environment for your reptile. Always keep the reptile home clean, make sure temperatures and humidity levels are optimal for the reptile, create and stick to a feeding schedule, and get to know your reptile. You will be responsible for determining when your reptile isn't feeling well.