I happen to live and work near an extraordinary reptile shop where the staff are extremely knowledgeable. Clients generally are told the correct way to care for their new reptile pet, whether it be a turtle or a lizard or a snake. Then it’s up to the client to have paid attention and keep up the good work.
But most pet stores have rotating staff who likely know more about where the hamster treats are than the correct caging, substrate, heat, humidity, UVB light, and diet for your pet bearded dragon.
There is no substitute for doing your own research. But that also requires knowing where the good resources are. Because, as you know, the web is FULL of interesting ideas that might just be…well…bunk.
A good place to start is the Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians.
You can find resources through their site or contact them for help. In addition, an excellent resource online is LafeberVet.com. This site has care sheets for a variety of reptiles, but not everyone you might be trying to research. Reptiles Magazine has an online source and plenty of good care sheets there too.
But here are a few basic things you need to ask:
What does my pet eat?
Some reptiles are carnivores, eating mice, rats, rabbits, or whole chickens. Some are insectivores, eating only insects. Some are vegetarians, like the adorable Uromastyx. And some are omnivores, eating a combination of protein and veggies.
What temperature does my reptile like?
Most reptiles require what is called a “heat gradients.” A warm end and a cool end. Or if you have an aquatic pet (lives in a tank), a warm basking spot out of the water, and a proper water temperature, often requiring a water heater. Some want the hot end at 85 degrees. Some want it at 115. You’ll need to know.
Does my reptile need UVB light?
Oh, boy! I think the biggest problem I see with my reptile patients is people who either didn’t know their pet needed UVB light, didn’t know what a UVB light was, or thought they were giving UVB through a closed window (“the sun shines in”). While not all reptiles require UVB light, most do. And unless he or she is living outdoors under the best UVB you can get (the sun), then you need to provide a special bulb labeled UVB (not just UVA) and this bulb likely needs to be changed around every 6-9 months even if YOU see light. The UVB spectrum is not visible to us and most bulbs can’t make it past 9 months. And that bulb cannot be shining through a pane of glass or a plastic cover. Sitting on top of a screen tank cover is okay, as most of the light will make it through. And why UVB? It is necessary for producing vitamin D in the body, which then allows the animal to absorb calcium from their GI tract.
What humidity does my reptile need?
Some of our reptiles are from the desert, some are from very humid areas, some are from areas that would change seasonally. This will take some research. You might need a hot dry tank or you might need a mister that goes off 6 times a day. Be prepared!
What should be at the bottom of the tank or cage?
You’re probably catching on. It depends. Some substrates are very simple and easy to maintain, some have complex layers of material to create the perfect environment. Turtle tanks require filters and possibly having material at the bottom the turtle cant ingest. Ask yourself if you’re up for the work that your reptile requires. And with many reptiles, you might need to feed outside the tank to avoid them ingesting the substrate and getting it stuck in their intestines (aquatic turtles excepted – they eat in the water).
A reptile can be an amazing pet and can live a long and happy life. But it’s up to us to get the details right. Do lots of research…and don’t believe everything the 18-year-old at the chain pet store tells you. That little baby iguana is going to end up being 5-6 feet long. Do you have a whole room where she can live with the right environment?