Reptiles are becoming more popular as pets because they are different, interesting, and often easier to care for than people think. Newbies need to pick the right reptile. For example, some snakes need special food, expensive enclosures, or extra care. But some kinds are great for people who have never had a reptile before. These snakes and turtles are usually hardy, easy to handle, and simple to care for if you have the right equipment. This article will review the top 10 reptiles for beginner pet owners, highlighting those that are low maintenance, entertaining, and fulfilling. Each part will discuss what new reptile owners should know before getting one, how to care for it, and why the snake is a good pet.
Leopard Gecko
Easy to Handle
Leopard geckos are a great first lizard pet for many people. They are nice and calm and do not bite very often, so they are easy to handle. Leopard geckos do not need a big cage like some other lizards do; they are also easy to handle because they’re small.
Easy to set up a habitat
This little animal only needs a small tank, a heat source, a hiding place, and a water dish. Their setup is cheap because they do not require UVB lighting like many other animals. Their home is easy to keep clean and tidy, making it great for people just starting out.
Food and Feeding
Crickets, mealworms, and dubia roaches are some of the bugs these geckos eat. It is easy to feed them, and once they are adults, they eat every other day. Because of this, they are one of the easiest animals to feed because they do not need complicated food.
Bearded Dragon
Friendly Nature
People say that bearded dragons are one of the nicest dogs you can have. They like being around people and often sit on their owner’s shoulder. So, they are great pets for families and people who have never kept a snake before.
Moderate Needs for Habitat
Bearded dragons need bigger cages than geckos, but they are still easy for beginners to take care of. To stay healthy, they need a heat lamp and UVB light. Their area should have rocks, branches, and places to hide for comfort.
Variety in Diet
Bearded dragons eat both bugs and plants, which is different from many other lizards. They eat veggies, leafy greens, mealworms, and crickets. This makes feeding fun and lets parents give their pets a healthy, varied diet.
Corn Snake
Calm and Gentle
The corn snake is one of the best snakes for newbies. They do not bite often and are calm. They are easy to handle once they get used to their new home. Because they are small to medium-sized, they are easy for first-time snake owners to handle.
Easy to Close Off
It is simple to make a home for a corn snake. They need a safe place to live, heat, and places to hide. Because snakes are very good at finding ways out, their tank should not let them out. Taking care of them is not hard if you set them up right.
Simple to Feed
You can easily find frozen and warmed mice for corn snakes to eat at pet stores. Most cats need to be taken care of more often than these. They only need to be fed once a week.
Ball Python
Personality that is easy to control
People know that ball pythons are gentle and shy. Their name comes from the fact that they often curl up into a ball when scared. They are calm and great for people who have never owned a snake.
Easy to Handle Size
At its prime, a ball python can reach three to five feet. Of course, they are still small enough to safely handle, but big enough to look good. Compared to other pythons, their size does not scare people as much.
Low Rate of Feeding
These snakes only need to be fed once every one to two weeks. They eat frozen and then thawed mice or rats. So, when it comes to feeding, they are one of the friendliest animals.
Crested gecko
Pet That Does not Cause Stress
It is fun to watch crested geckos because they are small and calm. People know them for their “eyelashes” and the way they can climb. They do not need to be handled daily, making them a good pet for people just starting.
No Need for a Heat Lamp
Crested geckos do well at room temperature, unlike many other lizards, and most homes do not need special heat lamps. This makes their setup very easy and cheap.
Simple ways to eat
You can get special powdered diets for crested geckos mixed with water at most pet shops. They also sometimes like eating small bugs. This makes it very easy and handy for people just starting to feed them.
Blue Tongued Skink
Nice and interesting
People like blue tongued skinks because they are calm and nice. They are interesting animals that like to explore the world outside their cage. Their blue tongues make them stand out, and it’s interesting to watch them.
Simple to Take Care of
These skinks need a bigger tank with UVB lights and heating, but they are easy to take care of once set up. They are hardy snakes that can live in a lot of different places.
All Food Diet
Blue tongued skinks eat many foods, such as fruits, veggies, and insects. It is easier to feed them than snakes that only need one type of food, because they can eat various things.
Russian Tortoise
Long Lifespan
Russian tortoises can live for many years, making great pets for life. They are as big as some other tortoise species, which makes it easy to keep them inside or in a pen outside.
Needs Simple
The tortoises need a warm cage with UVB lights and a shallow water dish. They are tough and can do well in various situations, making them good for beginners.
Simple Foods
Leafy greens and veggies are what Russian tortoises eat most of the time. Their food is cheap and easy to find at any grocery store. In this way, feeding your snake will not stress out new owners.
Gargoyle Gecko
Unique Appearance
This type of gecko is called a gargoyle because it has rough skin and horn like features that make it look like a small dragon. Their unique looks make them fun pets for first time owners.
Easy to Care For
Like crested geckos, gargoyle geckos do not need a heat lamp if they are kept in a place that is the right temperature. Simple care is all they need, and they are tough snakes that do well in homes.
Simple Foods
They also do well on powdered food mixed with water and sometimes animals. It is very easy to feed them this way, especially for people who do not want to deal with live food every day.
Uromastyx Lizard
Docile and Calm
Uromastyx lizards are known for being very calm. They move around during the day and like to relax under their heat lamp, which makes them interesting to watch.
Herbivorous Food Plan
Unlike many other snakes, uromastyx lizards mostly eat plants and seeds instead of bugs. Since they only eat plants, feeding them is very easy and cheap.
Low Maintenance Health Care
They need a cage that looks like a desert and has UVB lights and heating. Once they are set up, they are easy to take care of and usually healthy animals.
Green Anole
Small and busy
Green anoles are small lizards that move around a lot, making them fun to watch. They are not as easy to handle as snakes, but they make great first pets for showing off.
Cheap setup
Anoles need a small tank with a heat lamp, plants, and branches. It is cheap and easy to set up their shelters. They like to climb, so having a lot of vertical room is important.
Simple Foods
Anoles eat mealworms, crickets, and other small bugs. Depending on their size, they eat every day or every other day. Their food is easy to keep up with.
Conclusion
For a beginner, picking the right animal is important for a good time. The above animals are great choices because they are hardy, do not need much care, and are fun to own. The bearded dragon, the ball python, and the gargoyle gecko are great pets for people new to taking care of reptiles. Before bringing a reptile home, you should always find out what kind of care it needs, prepare the cage, and ensure you can handle the responsibility. Reptiles can live long, healthy, and interesting lives as pets if they get the right care.