Reptiles That Are Good As Pets

Exotic, colorful and high-maintenance: which of these describe pet reptiles? Not as many as you think. Some species of snake, lizard or turtle are perfect for beginners. Though reptiles require more closely controlled environmental factors than, say, a puppy, they can be just as easy to care for in other ways--and in some ways just as cuddly.

  1. Snakes

    • According to Brandon Cornett, who has kept snakes for more than 25 years, the four best pet snake species are the corn snake, the kingsnake, the gopher snake and the ball python. These four species have an average adult size that's manageable for most pet owners, topping out at or below 6 1/2 feet. They don't tend to bite and they accept handling well. They do well in captivity and can be amazingly long-lived (the ball python may reach 25 years). And, most importantly, they're easy to feed; you can rely on all except the python to eat pre-frozen, thawed rodents.

    Lizards

    • Cornett also provides lizard species recommendations for newbies. The species he suggests are the bearded dragon, the uromastyx ("spiny-tailed lizard") and the blue-tongued skink. Bearded dragons are relatively small and will fit in a terrarium of a size appropriate to an average bedroom. They have pleasant dispositions. Their lighting needs can be met easily. And their omnivorous diets are not difficult to provide; they eat both insects and some vegetables.

      "Uros" are similar to "beardies" in the simplicity of their needs: they, too, are omnivores who need a hot and dry environment. They have slightly more exacting care requirements, such as a basking area that reaches 120 degrees Fahrenheit, but none beyond the capability of most beginner lizard-keepers. They come in a spectacular variety of colors. And as for disposition, Cornett describes them as having "a lot of personality."

      Blue-tongued skinks are docile, tame easily, and eat a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, insects, fowl and rodent. Their native environment is easy for most pet owners to duplicate. Among its requirements are a burrowing substrate, an average temperature of 80 degrees Fahrenheit and a basking area of 100 degrees or more.

    Turtles

    • According to PetTurtle.com, the most commonly kept species of turtle is the red-eared slider. If you can provide a large enough tank for their adult size (up to 11 inches long) and you have enough spare time to keep it clean, a slider turtle might be a good pet choice for you. Sliders need space to swim, somewhere solid to rest and a layer of small rocks to satisfy their digging instinct. Pet stores sell food sticks and worm cubes to satisfy their meat requirements, which diminish as they get older. You can supplement this store-bought diet with lettuce and other vegetables.

    Other Reptiles

    • Frogs, salamanders and other amphibians also make good pets. Pet University provides, as part of their extensive library of reptile literature, a useful guide for choosing the best species for your current ability and experience.