So you’ve decided that a pet reptile is going to be the new addition to your family. Good for you! Reptiles can be satisfying and enjoyable pets. However, you must take the specific reptiles’ needs into careful consideration before purchasing.
For example, you may see the cutest little red-tail boa at the pet store and really fall in love. He is docile and tame when handled. Great! You speak to the store owner (who may or may not be knowledgeable about the specific species of snake) who assures you that all you need to get started is the 20 gallon tank that the snake is currently housed in and a few lights.
What you may not be told is that this cute little snake grows to be about 15 feet long and will need a much larger habitat. And that’s just the beginning of this “little guy’s” needs.
While a large snake may be exactly what you are looking for if you have a lot of reptile experience, for beginning reptile owners I would recommend a “starter reptile” such as a corn snake or a pet bearded dragon. Both of these choices are good ones as they are low maintenance and they do not get too large.
Another reason they are good pet reptiles is that both of these reptiles are not known to be aggressive. When handled correctly, they will act quite tame and can be easily become a favorite pet in the family.
