If you are thinking about purchasing a reptile as a pet they make fabulous pets as they are quiet and do not leave an unpleasant odour. A small pet can require an area as small as a plant pot or for the larger pet the room can be as large as a living room.
It boils down to how much space and which room you would like to see a pet living in. Houses for large pets can be set up as near to its environment as possible with certain types of cages. Reptile accessories such as branches, pieces of wood and covers can be placed in a cage to allow your pet slither about and sleep when tired.
If you are purchasing an aquarium then there is a screen to cover the tank. If your pet is being housed outside there are wooden cages with appropriate pet accessories that will keep your pet reptile happy. In the summer time you can move your reptile house to a garden or back yard. However, do not place the cage and pet in direct sunlight as they could have sun stroke and become dehydrated.
Whatever your choice of cage you choose for a reptile it will need to be draught proof, secure, heat resistant and well lit. The one thing that reptiles have going for them is they are easy to keep clean. If you miss feeding them on occasions there is no great worry as they do not have to eat continually every day. If they are fed too much they can become obese and unhealthy.
If you purchase a Green Iguana, various boas or a python they get to be over 20 foot long. At Rocket Pets not only do we have a large selection of pet products and reptile accessories, but we can also offer advice on essential pet care if required.
Reptiles make a fabulous pet
Choosing a Pet Reptile
So you've finally made the decision that you're going to get your first pet reptile - but where do you even start?
Well luckily it's not as hard as you may have thought initially.
The first factor to consider is what you can provide to your new pet. Consider factors such as the size of cage you could safely accommodate and the food you would feel comfortable giving. Could you feed live insects to a reptile, or a dead mouse? Or is the most you could stomach a salad?
Also consider the time you have available - not just right now - but try your best to make predictions about the future. Too many people buy a new pet reptile and end up having to put it up for rehoming because a job promotion means they don't have suitable time any more or they have decided to start a family and a 2 meter long iguana isn't the safest pet to have in the house with a young child.
The final thing from your perspective to think about is what you would like from your new pet. Are you expecting something you can safely handle on a regular basis? Or are you looking for an animal to go in a breathtaking display in your living room?
These factors alone will greatly help you reduce down the number of potential species on your hotlist, and the fact that you are new to keeping reptiles also means it would be foolhardy to try and keep any of the more difficult to care for species.
Once you have made a decision on the most likely animal for you, the next step is to read up everything you can on it. Find out the size and type of housing necessary.
Find out about what to feed and how often. Also find out where you can get that food from locally to you.
If possible, visit discussion forums or local reptile stores to ask questions to experts who can ensure you are fully prepared for this exciting new responsibility.
Once you feel you have a reasonable grasp on the species you are planning to keep it is a matter of buying and setting up the housing so you can be sure everything is working smoothly before you actually bring home your new captive.
This includes the installation of heaters, lighting, substrate and so on and monitoring it for a period of time to ensure the temperature and humidity remain suitable for your reptile.
When you are happy all this is place it is time to actually buy your pet. Ensure you go to a reputable pet store or specialist breeder for your animal - selecting one that is captive bred rather than wild caught if at all possible. Captive bred animals generally have fewer problems and so make a better starter pet - not to mention not depleting wild stocks of reptiles.
Ensure you choose a bright, healthy animal and allow him or her suitable time to settle into their new home before you start getting them out to play.
Lastly, ensure you find a local reptile-specialist vet so that if you should have an emergency you know there is someone you can call for professional help.
Reptilian Pets: The Snake Every Boys Dream Pet
First you will want to research snakes in general. You have your garden-variety snake that is very common and not dangerous. Then there are pythons, kings, and boa constrictor snakes. Keep in mind if this is for a child you probably want a harmless snake that will not grow to large. The larger snakes mentioned above take more care and larger aquariums and are not suited for smaller children.
The species of snake you chose will have a special diet. Most species have different diets. You may have seen a pet snake in the pet store eating mice while other snakes do not. It is important to choose a snake you can provide proper food for at all times. You also do not want to keep a wild snake, as they tend to carry diseases and stress with the change in environment. It is best to shop at a trustworthy pet shop or snake breeder.
Most king snakes and gopher snakes tend to eat mice and need to have plenty of water to drink. You may have a little pond in your aquarium with a tree branches, rocks, and dirt for your snake. Like food most snakes require a special environment. You will want to research that snake before choosing the environmental accessories. Snakes are often tropical in nature so they require heat as well as moderate temperatures in the evening. You have heard of the desert being cold at night. Snakes are proliferating in the desert areas and rainforests. Being able to provide the proper environment will ensure a long life for you new pet.
Touching on food again you also need to have a feeding schedule. Some snakes do not have to eat every day. In fact, gopher snakes will not eat every day. If you are getting a pet snake for you child you will want to make sure they understand the feeding schedule. Most young adults can handle having a pet snake while little children will need you to take care of the snake.
Handling the snake is also important. The more a snake is used to human contact the more contact the more domicile they tend to be. This means those that are dangerous can be held given proper training and handling. I recommend staying away from these snakes when you first have a pet snake. It is important to take small steps when you have a pet snake to get used to their special needs.
Snakes can make great pets if you take proper care of them. Many young boys and even girls are fascinated with snakes. They have pretty colors and just the lure of a little danger can add to the interest. Make sure you are prepared for the requirements needed from you to have a pet snake before giving in to a child’s demand.