Reptiles

Before considering any reptile be aware that most reptiles require live food. Some snakes will eat frozen mice that must be thawed, but don't buy a snake depending on that. Some reptiles eat daily, some several times a week and some several times a month.

Small children should always be supervised when handling any reptile. Even the most docile corn snake can bite.

Wash your hands after handling any reptile. Reptiles can be the source of Salmonella poisoning.

Know the size your pet will get to as an adult. Zoos are overwhelmed and most will not take the lizard or snake who outgrows its environment.   Consider that your tegu that you bought at 2-4 inches will grow to an adult size of 2-4 feet or your reticulated python that at first fit into a 20-40 gallon tank and ate mice now requires his own 'room' and is eating rabbits and chickens as a snack.

Please consult with a reputable breeder or pet store that will give you information about the pet you pick. (Be careful of stores that are just trying to make a buck, as some of these species are very expensive) DO YOUR RESEARCH and never buy any animal on a whim. As with most reptiles, look for ones that are captive born. Wild caught can harbor parasites and mites that can be difficult to get rid of.

Level of Care:     B = Beginner             Inter = Intermediate                 A = Advanced

Before going to the snake, lizard or tortoise guide, I have listed some of the separate families and what makes them unique.
Regarding Pet Guide - Size ranges specified are for adults. Females in most species are larger than males.

                                                                                          LIZARDS:
     Most lizards, especially as babies, are prone to metabolic bone disease. The majority of lizards require their food either be dusted with vitamin D3-calcium and or have their food source "gut-loaded (fed) with vitamins. Most also require UVA/UVB spectrum lighting, especially if they are diurnal (awake during the day). Most species require a basking area about 10 degrees higher than the gradient temperatures listed in the chart. Gradient temperatures are a cool side and warm side of tank, as well as basking area.
     Lizards require a hiding place to feel safe, especially if housing several lizards together (never mix species without consulting someone familiar with the lizards). Most species unless communal do not tolerate other males. For most it is safe to have one male with several females depending of the size of the housing.
     Lizards can require a variety of environments, such as dry savannahs, woodlands, rainforest and desert that require different substrates (bedding). As with all reptiles and small animals NEVER USE CEDAR or PINE!!! Cedar can be fatal. NO HOT ROCKS! This can burn your reptile.


Gekkonidae                                                                            Geckos
Geckos produce various sounds. Most geckos have fused eyelids that they lick to keep them clean. Most are nocturnal (awake at night) or diurnal (awake during the day) or both. The dirunal geckos are require UVA/UVB spectrum lighting. The majority of geckos have adhesive digits for climbing up vertical walls. There are many commercial foods (CF) available, as most geckos eat nectar, as well as insects, etc.

Iguanidae                                                            Anoles, Iguana, Swifts, etc.
The lizards in the Iguana family can be arboreal (tree dwelling, semi-arboreal, terrestrial (ground) or semi-aquatic. They can eat a range of food such as greens, vegetables and insects. Lizards in this family can range from 6 inches to 6 feet.

Corytophanidae                                                                    Basilisks
These are a more slender lizard with a crest. They are arboreal and semi-aquatic. They usually require large tanks to accommodate a large bowl of water for soaking and plants for climbing. They eat greens, vegetables and insects.

Agamidae                                                       Agamas, Dragons and Uromastyx
This family is either arboreal, stays on the ground, semi-arboreal or semi-aquatic. These eat a variety of insects, mealworms, vegetables and greens. They are some of the most interesting lizards that include the bearded dragon (one of my favorite) and the frilled lizard.

Chamaeleondae                                                               Chameleons
Chameleons are an arboreal lizard that has a long sticky tongue for catching insects. They have two digits that help them to latch on to branches. Their eyes can move in separate directions. They are beautiful and interesting with their changing color. Compared to most lizards they have a relatively short lifespan and can be very sensitive to their environment.

Varanidae                                                                            Monitor
These are very large lizards that stay on the ground. For the most part they eat rodents, insects and some commercial food. This is a very strong reptile that has a very powerful bite. Due to their size and ornery disposition, they do not make a good pet for the average collector and are best left to more advanced owners with plenty of room for their size. They are also illegal in many states, including Massachusetts.

Scincidae                                                                               Skinks
Skinks can be arboreal or ground dwellers often burrowing into the ground. They eat a variety of food, such as insects, fruits, vegetables and commercial food.

Teiidae                                                                    Tegus, Ameiva, Whiptails
These range from arboreal to ground to burrowers. Keep in mind that if you plan to buy a lizard that likes to burrow, you may not see them a lot.   Although Tegus can have a docile nature, they also get very large and can be food aggressive. The food in this family can range from rodents to greens.

Lacertidae                                                                          Wall Lizards
These are slender lizards with forked tongues. These can be arboreal, semi-arboreal or ground. Most eat insects. These lizards are very quick.

Cordylidae                                                                    Plated and Girdled
Plated lizards have armor and girdled lizards are generally spiny. They typically eat insects and are ground dwellers.

Auguidae                                                                Alligator and Glass Lizards
These lizards are generally ground dwellers. They generally eat rodents and insects. Some of these lizards have no limbs.

                                                                                                 SNAKES
     Like lizards, some species of snakes require full spectrum UVA/UVB lighting, as well as a gradient temperature with a basking area about 10 degrees higher. They may also require a heating pad under the tank. NEVER USE A HEAT ROCK- this can seriously injure or kill a snake. Provide a place for the snake to hide, as well as sturdy ledges or branches for climbing. Although snakes can be arboreal, ground or burrowing, most snakes will climb. Also provide a bowl of water for drinking and/or soaking. Change the water frequently, as some snakes will defecate in the water.
     Snakes eat a variety of foods from crickets to fish to rodents to rabbits.   BE PREPARED to feed your snake live food. Although some may eat frozen mice if introduced early on, most will only eat live food. Snakes have
a forked tongue they use to pick up odors from the air, as well as heat sensing organs. They also 'see' very well, although they have to ears. Frozen mice should be thawed under hot water before feeding (never microwave) . If your snake has not eaten the live prey given to them within a few hours, remove it from the tank. Rodents will bite and can fatally attack snakes. For arboreal snakes, such as the emerald boa, it is important to have tall strong plants for them to attack their prey from above.
     After bringing your new snake home, do not handle for at least 24-48 hours to let him get used to his new environment. Never pick up a snake towars the head, come from behind. Some snakes can be picked up behind the head if they are not docile, but do not pick up most arboreal snakes this way. They have thinner necks that can be damaged. Depending on the size of the snake either support the remainder of the body with your other arm or use a snake stick/hook.   Do not handle a snake after he has eaten. Not only is there a chance he will mistake you for food, but also he needs time to digest.   If possible, feed your snake outside of the tank. This will deter him from thinking you are food, as well as prevent the possibility of getting the shavings (if you use them) lodged in their throat.

Boidae and Pythonidae                                            Boas and Pythons
These families hold both the longest snake (reticulated python) and the largest snake (Anaconda boa). Both of these familes are constrictors. Pythons lay eggs and generally boas have live young. Pythons also have teeth on the bone at the tip of the jaw. These can be semi-aquatic, ground or arboreal snakes.

Colubridae                     Corn, Gopher, Garter, Ribbon, Green, Hog-nosed, King, Milk, Rat
This family accounts for more than half of all snakes and generally have scales covering most of their bodies. Although most are harmless, some genus' are venomous to mildly venomous. For example, the hog-nosed snake is rear fanged and mildly venomous. For the most part they are harmless and will not bite in defense, only to kill prey. This does not mean if bitten you would not have a reaction to the venom. Other snakes, such as the milk and king snake feed on other snakes, and kings are generally resistant to venom of other snakes. Some of these snakes mimic other snakes, like the bull snake acting like a rattle snake and the milk or scarlet king snake looking like the venomous coral snake. Others in this family include the common garter and ribbon snakes that like amphibians and fish as part of their diet.

                                                                                   Tortoise/Turtles
A terrapin and tortoise are both turtles. The difference between a tortoise and a turtle is that a turtle can swim. Although a tortoise is a turtle, it cannot swim, but will enter the water to drink, etc. A terrapin is a turtle that lives in the water for the most part, although may still leave the water to bask.

Health issues: Metabolic Bone Disease, bacterial infections, shell rot, obesity and respiratory infections. Make sure you clean the water used and keep bacteria free. As with other reptiles most turtles should be provided Vitamin D/calcium - check with breeder, as well as UV lighting.

Basking turtles and semi-aquatic turtles need a place to bask (a specific side of the tank with a heating light). Provide filtration system for the turtles that swim. A heater that goes into the water may also be needed to keep water temperatures where they need to be. You may need several thermometers in the tank for the water, gradient air temperature and basking area.
Temp column:   L = Low        M = Mid       H = High

Females tend to be a lot larger than males. The adult sizes listed range from the smallest (usually males) to largest, (usually females)

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