Not everybody wants to own a pet reptile but some people are fascinated in these amazing creatures. There are many Types Of Pet Reptiles, one of which is the iguana, as shown below!
Chosing the Best Type of Pet Reptiles
Below is a list of popular breeds:
Bearded Dragon
There are 9 types of bearded dragon, which all come from Australia. We have detailed below a few varieties.
Coastal or Eastern Bearded Dragon
These are also known as the Jew Lizard or Frilly Lizard and are generally dark grey/black with colour on the front of the head. They generally eat plants, insects and small mice.
Lawsons Bearded Dragon
Also referred to as the drumpy dragon, black soil bearded dragon, pogona brevis, pogona rankini, pogona vittikins. They are light in colour with stripes under the chin, they also have a small beard. They eat insects and plants
Dwarf Bearded Dragon
This species is sometimes mixed up with the Western Bearded Dragon, they have shorter legs, a smaller head and an unnoticeable beard and generally dark coloured. They eat insects, plants and small rodents.
Bearded Dragon’s make an ideal pet as they don’t grow too big and are omnivours. They eat a variety of foods, including insects and plants. They are gentle creatures and are active during the day. Although they look like their spines are dangerous, they are in fact soft and not very sharp.
Leopard Gecko
One of the most commonly kept lizards and come in many colours and sizes. Average life splan is 6-10 years but many live much longer. Their diet must consist of live insects as they do not eat plants or vegetable.
Red-eared Slider Turtle
This reptile is also referred to as the red-eared terrapin and can grow up to 19cm in captivity. They get their name as they have red stripe around their ears. They are completely dependent on the temperature of their environment as they are not able to regulate their body temperature. Check the law in your country, for example, in Australia it is illegal for members of the public to import, keep, trade or release red-eared sliders as they are seen to be an invaive species.
Ball Python
This snake gets the name, Ball Python due to the fact that it likes to roll into a ball when it becomes frightened. It is also referred to as the Royal Python and is a non-venomous creature. It has a docile temperament and is relatively small in size. They have quite a long life span, with the oldest being recorded as living more than 47 years! Captive phythons generally are only fed once or twice a week.
Green Iguana
Also referred to as the American Iguana, it is a large, mostly herbivore creature growing to about 1.5 metres (4.9ft) from head to tail. It has bright colours and is calm in nature. They have spines which protect them from predators and can deliver painful strikes with their tails. If they are grabbed by their tail, they have the ability to break free to escapae and eventually they will grow another.
Box Turtle
Also referred to as the Crescent Turtle, they have a domed shell allowing them to retract into this shell, which protects them from predators. They are omnivores and will eat anything it can catch, plus vegetation. They are not recommended for small children as they can get stressed by handling, they require an outdoor home and regular exposure to the sun. Three Toed Box Turtles are hardier and are the better species to keep as a pet.
Corn Snake
This is a species of rat sname and has an atractive pattern. They are fairly docile are moderate in size and simple to care for. They are harmless and they prey on small rodents. They get their name as their belly looks like kernels of corn. In captivity they can live up to 23 years. They eat small rodents and also reptiles and unguarded bird eggs. They are one of the most popular types of pet snakes as they are calm and tolerate being handled by their owners.
Tortoise
Tortoises are protected by their shell, enabling them to fully disappear when a predator strikes. The top part of the tortoise is called the carapsace and the rings can be counted to give a rough indication on how old the animal is. However, if the animal has plenty of food and water with no significant drops during the different seasons, it will have no noticeable rings. Some tortoises have been known to live up to 150 years. They feed on grass, leafy greens, flowers and some fruits.
Not sure what reptile is right for you? Check out the video below to help with choosing the best beginner reptile.
