When it comes to owning
reptiles, they sometimes require some special attention. Though they hardly
differ from cats and dogs when it comes to loyalty, reptiles are a bit
different in terms of care.
Here are some ideas to get started when you finally
have your first reptile:
1. Get adequate space
and ventilation
Unlike dogs and cats,
most reptiles need a certain ambiance and atmosphere in order for them to feel
really at home. Not only this, some of them require a lot of space and air so
that they will be able to breathe properly. It is suitable for your critter to
be able to live in a glass box or something similar with holes at the top or at
the bottom, but just big enough so they won’t escape.
2. Clean safe water
Reptiles have a special
need for water, as they are not like dogs and cats that can sweat their bodily
heat away. Appropriate substrate water is a must for your reptile’s
domain as it will help them cool off when the heat comes. Not only this, this
will help them calm themselves and make them feel more at ease.
3. Quality lighting
For some reptiles, UV
lighting is a must. Reptiles such as snakes don’t really need UV lighting, but
for others it is needed. It is because they are dependent on skin-manufactured
Vitamin D3 and such a vitamin cannot be obtained from the food that they eat,
as the name implies. Thus, in order to keep your reptile happy and healthy,
give them some UV lights to bask in.
4. Vitamins and mineral supplements
Many reptiles are not
able to get the vitamins they need from their food alone. Thus, to keep them in
tip-top shape, it is best if you provide them with vitamins and supplements
that will help enrich their diet.
5. Secure latches and
lids
Of course, your prized
pet does not need to roam the house freely unless you want it to be stomped on
and bite your family. This is why latches, locks and lids are important. Not
only is this for your own safety, but also for the reptile’s.
6. Appropriate environment
Certain reptiles need a
certain environment that mimics their natural environment so they can thrive.
Simply having them live at room temperature when the temperature is way beyond
their bodily capacities might just kill them, so controlled temperatures are
ideal for such creatures.
7. Learn your reptile’s
diet
Not all reptiles have the
same diet. It may be a tedious task, but knowing what your reptile eats is
crucial for its survival. If you were in the reptile’s shoes and you were
forced to eat what you don’t eat, you wouldn’t like that as well, right? Not
only that, giving the reptile the wrong food could spell disaster for its
health.
8. Learning if your
reptile is tamable
It would be nice if your
reptile knows how to do tricks just like the ones you see on television or
online, but you have to first learn if your reptile is even fit to be tamed or
not. Even if it isn’t, however, you shouldn’t throw away your reptile just yet
as the reason why you chose it as your pet in the first place is because you
like it and want to make it a part of your family, and not to make it a circus
act.
9. Knowing your
reptile’s life span and other basic stuff
Okay, so this may be
rather easy to do, but keep in mind that captive reptiles generally have a
longer lifespan than wild reptiles as long as they are given enough love and
care. Before purchasing a reptile, you should first know the basics of your
chosen pet and what they do, what they eat and how to tell if they are healthy.
10. Avoiding the
temptation to release your reptile
This is very hard if you
don’t want your reptile anymore, and don’t know anyone who can keep your
reptile for you. Releasing your reptile into the wild will not only disturb the
local ecosystem, it might even potentially kill your reptile as it has grown in
captivity and does not know the skills on how to survive in the wild. In
instances like these, you should probably go to the nearest zoo or pet shop and
sell or have them adopt your reptile for you.
Now that you know the
basics of keeping a reptile, you should now be all set.
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