Reptiles make great pets!
Reptiles come in a variety of shapes and sizes, with some requiring more care than others. The important thing we were looking for when compiling this list was little upkeep.
Few people have the time or finances to care for a pet with a variety of needs, varying from light to diet requirements. Nonetheless, this list necessitates far fewer resources than other exotic pets, and even some cats and dogs! Here are our picks for the easiest reptiles to take care of for beginners.
Regardless of which reptile you choose, it's important that they attend veterinary appointments regularly. At Pine Grove Animal Clinic, our Pine Grove vets specialize in exotic animals and are here to help you and your new scaley friend!
1. Leopard Gecko
A leopard gecko is a hardy and peaceful pet that is ideal for beginners. These spotted geckos are quiet and easy to care for, making them ideal household pets. Because they are nocturnal, if your family is active early in the morning or late at night, you will get to witness their peak activity! A leopard gecko's diet consists mostly of insects powdered with supplemental calcium. Though they don't need a particularly large enclosure, they are a desert species and need a generally dry, warm climate.
2. Bearded Dragon
A Bearded Dragon (sometimes affectionately referred to as just "a beardie") can reach a length of 24 inches and live for more than a decade. They are one of the best reptiles for handling, as beardies enjoy being picked up. They eat a variety of foods such as crickets, worms, and vegetables. The minimum tank size requirement for a bearded dragon is a 40 gallon tank, so while they are great pets, make sure you have the necessary room. They also require a basking spot, as well as access to UVB.
3. Crested Gecko
Crested geckos are interesting animals, and may be the easiest reptile to take care of. Sometimes called the "eyelash gecko", the crested gecko has a crest/ridging from their eyes all the way down their back. This kind of gecko is arboreal and requires a vertical habitat, making it an ideal pet for someone who may not have enough space for a standard horizontal enclosure. A tropical species, crested geckos eat insects, but a powdered food product that you mix with water is available if you prefer not to use bugs. A fun fact about the crested gecko is that they can drop their tails when they are scared or frightened, but unlike other gecko species, they can't grow them back!
4. Turtles
Turtles are a popular pet reptile, but they do require a little more work. Turtles can reach 11 inches in length and survive for more than 30 years. As turtles spend most of their life in water, they will require access to water they can swim in as well as space to come up out of the water and bask in a warm light. This means that they will need a rather large space to live in. A general rule of thumb is 10 gallons per inch of shell length, so a four inch turtle would need at least 40 gallons of water to swim in. Turtles are omnivores, eating crickets, worms, goldfish, vegetables, and pellets.
5. Corn Snakes
Corn snakes are a fun and easy beginner snake. Spending most of their time hiding and digging, they require a cage that allows them the space to do so. Because of their curiosity, they are excellent escape artists, so make sure their tank and lid are secure. These multicolored snakes make excellent pets because they are small and docile, and most don't mind handling. The only downside to corn snakes, and snakes in general, is their diet. At your local pet store you should be able to get frozen-thawed mice to feed the snake.
6. Chinese Water Dragons
Many people want a pet iguana, but are put off by their size or violent behavior, so the water dragon is a wonderful compromise. They are significantly smaller and far friendlier, yet retain the same physical characteristics. Still, they can grow up to three feet long, and live for 15 years. As such, they'll need at least a 55 gallon terrarium to live in. A tropical species, the Chinese Water Dragon is most active at dawn and dusk. They eat both vegetables and insects, so be sure to vary their diets.
7. Tortoise
Tortoises are land-dwelling reptiles that can grow to be 12 inches long and live for more than 50 years if properly cared for. Unlike turtles, these guys are herbivores who prefer to live on land rather than in water. They need at least a 50 gallon tank to live in, that is generally kept warm and damp. The degree of heat and humidity will vary depending on the country of origin, so make sure you look into where your tortoise originated from and try to match that environment as best as you can!
8. Ball Python
Perhaps one of the most commonly kept beginner reptiles in the hobby, a ball python is a friendly, easy to handle, generally docile snake! Available in a variety of colours and patterns, each ball python is very unique looking. They grow to be about three and a half to four and a half feet in length, and live as long as 30 years. They got the name "ball" python because they spend much of their time curled up in a ball, living in the grasslands of west Africa. Legend has it, Egyptian Queen Cleopatra wore ball pythons around her wrists like bracelets! Similar to the corn snake, the biggest downside to the ball python is its diet, which consists of rodents as they are carnivores. But they only need to eat about once every week or two.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.