Pet Information: Reptiles

Below you'll find general information that applies to all reptiles. You can find specific information for different types of reptiles by following these links:

Stocking

When stocking an enclosure, always do your research first. Some reptiles live happily in groups (most turtles, as long as there is only one male in an average set up) while others like to live alone. Some can only live in mated pairs, or in enclosures that are more than twice the minimum size required for one reptile. Just because you see baby reptiles kept together at the store does not mean they can live happily together as adults (like hamsters - most become territorial as adults and will attack each other).

It is also important to remember that reptiles have their own personalities and attitudes. Even for a species that live in groups, you may end up with two individuals that simply don't get along or one that just doesn't like living with anyone else. (Just like people - would you be happy living with everyone you know, or can you only imagine living with some of them?)

Generally, it is best to get multiple reptiles at the same time or at least while they are all juveniles. If you want to introduce them later, it is generally best done when also upgrading to a larger enclosure (this can be different when trying to breed them, some need an established territory first). Think of it like living in a 1 bedroom apartment by yourself for years and suddenly having a new roommate vs. moving to a two or three bedroom apartment with a new roommate.

Lighting

Reptiles need three types of lighting to be healthy:

Heat (Infrared) - Reptiles are ecotherms (cold-blooded) and need a heat source in order to regulate their body temperature. They should have a basking spot where they can get warm, and a cooler area in the enclosure to go to when they get hot.

UVA - Reptiles see in the UVA spectrum, so being without it is a bit like being color blind. They have a harder time finding their food, and a lack of UVA often results in lethargic reptiles. Without it to help stimulate their appetite, the animal may not eat enough and may starve.

UVB - Reptiles, like most animals including people, produce Vitamin D when exposed to UVB rays. Without enough UVB your reptile will not produce enough Vitamin D, and without enough Vitamin D they cannot metabolize calcium. This will result in their bones (and shells in turtles) becoming weak and soft and eventually they will die. While this can be corrected if you add UVB lights, Metabolic Bone Disease (the term for this problem) is a slow and painful way to die. Make sure you always provide your reptile with a UVB light, and replace the bulb every year (can be easily remembered if you pick a holiday, and always buy your pet this bulb as one of it's presents). Reptile UVB lights are commonly found in 5.0 (for tropical and temperate reptiles) and 10.0 (for dessert reptiles) - pick one based on which reptile you have.

Being near a window is NOT good enough as a source of UV light. Glass filters out about 90% of UV rays, so your reptile will not get the light it needs.

Water

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Your reptile should always have access to clean drinking water. It is also important that you remove the chlorine from it, which can be done with a product like ReptiSafe. If your water is treated with chlorine, letting it sit out for a few days can allow the chemical to evaporate out. However, if your water is instead treated with chloramine you will need to treat it, because this will NOT evaporate out. You can call your local water treatment center to find out which they use.

Some reptiles need a shallow bowl, some need a bowl large enough to comfortably soak in, some need a large water source for swimming, while others need a specialized drip system because they will not drink from a bowl at all. Check information for your reptile specifically, and always make sure the water source is not something your reptile can become trapped in. Remember - things with steep slippery sides with no other way out are not common in nature.
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