Leopard geckos, crested geckos, corn snakes, and ball pythons are the best options for beginners. Bearded dragons are also suitable for those who have the financial means to set them up and care for them properly – they are, however, more demanding. Anoles are not a good option for beginners. All of these animals need different types of cages and have other environmental criteria.
Why so?
Reptiles suitable for beginners should have low-cost equipment specifications (nearly every reptile will cost at least $150 to set up on average completely – some will cost more, but few will cost significantly less).
What do you need to know to care for reptiles?
Beginner reptiles should be handy, tolerate occasional errors as long as they are corrected quickly, and immune to illness and stress. Beginner reptiles do not need a lot of care.
Some reptiles are notoriously picky when it comes to nutritional requirements, cleanliness, and complex environmental factors that necessitate regular adjustments, among other things.
#1 Take into account who lives in the house
Although reptiles make excellent pets for the majority of people, they can be dangerous to immunocompromised people. Before buying or adopting a reptile, those with HIV/AIDS or some autoimmune diseases should carefully consider the risks, do extensive testing, and consult their physicians.
#2 Decide on the type of reptile you like
If they are interested in lizards, first-time reptile owners should choose a leopard gecko or a bearded dragon because they are both Mello and social. Imagine, if reptiles go shopping! Thatâs freaking scary, right?
These animals love being around people and don’t take a lot of attention. Ball pythons and corn snakes are excellent choices for a first snake because they are both easy to handle and pleasant when given proper care.
#3 Conduct extensive research on the reptile you choose to keep
Reptiles should not be bought on the spur of the moment, particularly if you are a first-time reptile owner. All require some treatment level, but some species have truly unique requirements, so be sure you understand what you’re getting yourself into.
#4 Make a plan for the animal’s ongoing care
Be sure to budget for the animal’s continuing treatment and expenses. Especially if you’re buying a reptile for a child and you’re an adult. Reptiles seem to be a wonderful gift or first pet in many instances, but they are often missed or returned due to cost or a lack of time.
#5 Take your reptile to the vet regularly
Everyone is happier when their pet is well. While it might seem that reptiles do not need as much veterinary attention as dogs or cats, it is still highly recommended that all pet reptiles receive an annual checkup. This will keep your pet healthy and happy for years to come!
As captive-bred juveniles, reptiles suitable for beginners should be available. (Wild-caught animals need medical attention, deparasitization, and careful acclimatization; many do not survive.) Beginner reptiles should be well-known, have well-known care criteria, and be simple to breed.
Bearded dragons are often included on ‘beginner’ lists since they are usually easy to tame and make reasonably sensitive and docile pets once tamed, as well as being big enough to handle.
Make sure you treat them well!
Their criteria for treatment are well-known, they’re commonly bred in captivity, and they’re tough. However, they have more expensive setup requirements (in part due to their large size), a moderately complicated diet, and more cleaning requirements than many other reptiles.
Bearded dragons are omnivores, but once fully grown, they eat only greens). Blue-tongued skinks are often mentioned as beginner-friendly, and everything I said about bearded dragons applies to them as well.
Smaller skinks are hard to come by as captive-bred pets. You might be able to find a fire skink if you look around, and that would be a good option. I would never advise a beginner to select a wild-caught animal.
Take this fact into consideration!
In all cases, I suggest that you look for reptiles from reputable breeders first before going somewhere else. If there is a local breeder, which is common these days, that’s great; if not, most breeders will ship, and shipping is usually very secure these days.
If you can’t locate a local breeder and don’t want the animal delivered, a local reptile expo may be a good option. Once or twice a year, several places host one.
If you’re buying a reptile from a pet shop, make sure it’s a high-end specialist reptile store with a reputable breeder, and everything is spotless, well-lit, and stable. Until you think you’ve discovered such a shop, ask a lot of questions.
The bottom line
Buying a reptile from most pet shops is asking for trouble – reptiles from unknown backgrounds, subjected to the trauma of frequent shippings, exposed to illness or mites, and frequently held in less-than-ideal conditions.
Indeed, you don’t want to have to rehabilitate an animal that’s been through that when you’re only learning how to care for them. Get the above-stated information to rule your care for reptiles!