Pet Reptiles – How To Raise A Pet Reptile

How To Care For A Pet Reptile

Reptiles are so interesting and unusal looking, and having a pet reptile is fascinating too. You may have seen many of them at your local zoo, pet store, or museum.

But if you have never raised a pet reptile before, and you are thinking about getting one for yourself, then keep reading. Leopard Geckos are one of the easiest pet lizards. Two great things about Leopard Geckos is that they don't get very big, and they live for about 15 years.

They have been kept and bred in captivity since the 1920's and are one of the healthiest and easiest lizards to keep.

A baby gecko is quite active, but as they grow older they will get quieter and more tame especially if you have raised from a juvenile. A full grown gecko doesn't get bigger than about 10 inches and they can be handled by older children.

The only caution is not hold them or catch them by the tail. This is where the Gecko stores its fat, and they will break off. It will grow back, but it won't look the same.

The proper house for a Leopard Gecko would be a glass or plastic aquarium. However, you will need a source of heat, so glass would be preferred. You will want an under tank heater, as well as a overhead ceramic heater. The Geckos need to have a constant temperature for proper nutritional absorption.

DO NOT USE HOT ROCKS! Hot rocks are not advisable for lizards. It can cook them.

There is some controversy about whether or not Leopard Geckos need UVB rays that are similar to daylight. Because they are nocturnal they hide. But we had one get really skinny and sick, and I believe it would have been alot healthier had we used a UVB bulb to allow it to absorb the calicum it needed.

We thank Leppy for his guidance and teaching. So that's what we use now and everyone seems very happy and healthy.

Crickets and mealworms are the main food source. You can offer romaine lettuce cut up very fine.

Raising reptiles can be a lot of fun and rewarding. And they will get into your routine very quickly.