Reptiles should not be kept as pets.

 

Reptiles should not be kept as pets:

What distinguishes the cold-blooded from regular cats and dogs? In terms of being sentient, loving, and affectionate, they are not. The distinction is that reptiles are not household pets. Since they are wild animals, they occasionally exhibit these impulses. Naturally, the wild is where they belong. Unfortunately, many of the kinds of reptiles that are offered in pet stores today still come from the wild and are used in breeding programs. 

Having an exotic pet to brag about to friends at the price of the welfare of the animal, who is unable to enjoy life on its own terms, is one of the cruelest acts of selfishness. Taking any animal from the wild is strictly prohibited in Australia, and the penalties are severe if one is detected. This is one of the reasons we frequently hear that a snake has choked his caretaker. This is not shocking at all. The snake is housed in a glass tank with insufficient space for him to walk around, which forces him to stay curled up for hours or even days with little contact with his caretaker. 

This type of situation subsequently causes him to lose all control, which is not natural for him. Imagine being confined to a small space with limited mobility. There are several publications on how to set up vivariums that can be found in bookstores, libraries, and online for those of you who already keep reptiles. I strongly advise contacting those who lead "herpetology groups." These are teams of people who are enthusiastic about all reptiles. Although you can learn how to build up vivariums and enclosures from these books and organizations, there isn't much advice on how to engage with your reptile pet. 

The optimum conditions for reptiles are daily, friendly human contact, and exposure to natural sunshine. Be cautious when purchasing reptiles. When looking to buy an animal, pet stores are not the best place to go. These businesses encourage the heinous and cruel treatment of animals. The typical individual is unaware of the abhorrent conditions in which animals are held and bred until they are unable to reproduce any longer, often subjected to cruelty, and then famished at the end of the day. When we visit pet stores, we see a lot of cuteness, but here is the back office. Always purchase from a shelter to ensure that you are not supporting any kind of animal cruelty. 

More pet stores would have to close down, and for good reason, if more people purchased pets from neighborhood animal shelters.

A functioning vivarium or enclosure that is optimal for your pet, rather than one that is chosen based only on aesthetic considerations, is crucial for the welfare of your reptile. I've seen firsthand over the past fifteen years how highly intelligent reptiles are and how much personal compassion they can exhibit when they are content and happy in their surroundings. 

Expecting your cold-blooded animal companion to rush up to you as soon as you enter the room with his tail wagging madly is unrealistic. He probably won't express any joy at seeing you.

A reptile may need a very long time to win your trust, therefore this is best-done one-on-one. They grow accustomed to one handler quickly. Show your pet the human side of your adoration by conversing with him. Allow plenty of time for him to leave his vivarium or enclosure each day. Every second or third day, give him clean, fresh water, and make an effort to get him some sun exposure for a few hours each day. 

You can buy specialized enclosures for your pet reptile so that he can enjoy outdoor natural sunshine. UVB lamps are a poor choice, but they make a nice backup. If he is basking in an outdoor enclosure, you will need to keep an eye on the position of the sun. Ensure that he won't get too hot. Since reptiles can't control their own body temperature, they need access to both a warm and a cold end of the habitat. 

Always place a basking light at one end of the enclosure so that the reptile can go to the other end if he becomes too warm. Reptiles warm up very slowly, either by absorbing heat from the atmosphere or by basking in the sunlight. Additionally, a hiding place is required. You can make one out of a cardboard box with a hole big enough for him to enter and depart, or you can buy a variety online or at pet stores. For reptiles to feel secure, they require a place to hide. 

Food is crucial since inadequate calcium intake and prolonged darkness will drastically limit the lifespan of your pet and cause him to suffer metabolic bone disease, which is a condition that is frequent in reptiles (MBD) I use Wambaroo, a reputable supplement for reptiles, on my 12-year-old lizard; it is a blend of crushed insects. Once a week, I add this to his freshly cooked mashed vegetables. All the key nutrients your reptile needs for optimal maintenance are abundant in wambaroo. The instructions are printed on the packet's back. Change up your pet's diet; just like you, they get bored with the same old things. When a lizard reaches adulthood, the majority of them are simple vegetarians. 

If you are a responsible and compassionate reptile handler, do all the required research on how to care for them properly, and keep in mind that how tame they become is heavily dependent on your capacity and willingness to accept them. Shower him with affection. Reptiles will demand your respect and swiftly point out anything you are doing incorrectly. I do not advise getting a reptile or any other kind of pet if you spend the majority of your day at work. A selfish motive to own a pet is if you are rarely home during the day. 

All animals enjoy human companionship, are sentient beings with the same rights as people and should have the opportunity to reciprocate your affection in a manner that is consistent with how you treat them.

If you already own a pet reptile, consider whether you are providing him with the best possible life. Set aside some cash each week to cover his vet visits and any necessary treatments. Some of us have a tendency to lose patience with animals. There are veterinarians that often limit their practice to birds and reptiles. Find a good one, get to know them, since those are the people you will need.