 If
warm and fuzzy isn’t in your pet repertoire, perhaps you’ve got a
soft spot for something reptilian. Many people select a pet as an
extension of their personality, but if you’re looking for a snake or
iguana just to up your cool factor, then you might not be ready for a
reptile or amphibian. Dr. Marcus Gordon, a veterinarian at Animal
Emergency Center, and Tom McNeil, owner of Swords and Dreams Reptile
Rescue, offer some guidelines when considering going reptile.
Don’t Do It…
For Vanity: Both Gordon and McNeil have
seen the tough guy who brags about the crocodile in his basement, but
that guy often isn’t the most responsible pet owner. "If you
are just doing it to be cool, I point you to another pet store who is
just doing it for the money," McNeil says.
On an Impulse: "The dead last
place you go is the pet store," Gordon says. You should do your
homework first on the feeding and care of an exotic. Talk to your vet
or search the Internet, but make sure you’re getting accurate
information on the web, Gordon cautions. And since there is no
education required to sell an exotic pet, Gordon says, you should have
your vet examine your exotic for disease even before you bring it
home.
If You Think the Little Critter is
Cute: That little 6-inch iguana can grow up to 6 to 7 feet, McNeil
says. You can be in for more than you bargained for the in terms of
equipment to care for such a large pet and the space it takes up in
your home.
You Think They are Easier to Care for
Than Other Pets: Caring for an exotic is not as simple as putting out
some food and water. The diet of an exotic can get quite complicated,
depending on the reptile. A Jackson’s chameleon, for example,
prefers its food to be of the moving variety and only drinks water off
of leaves, which requires a special dripping system. Many exotics need
high humidity and special lighting to keep them warm. "Once they
learn what is actually involved, they don’t want the
responsibility," Gordon says. And, he notes, exotics need to
visit the vet at least as often as cats and dogs.
Do It If…
You’ve Done Your Homework: If you
have educated yourself on the reptile’s natural history, know if it’s
a nocturnal creature, and know its diet, its exercise needs and
optimal living conditions, and still want one as a pet, then you’re
probably ready to take the plunge.
You Are Committed: For some exotics,
feeding and care is relatively simple. A snake, for example, eats just
once every two to three weeks. For others, the care is more involved.
An iguana, Gordon says, is one of the most difficult animals in the
world to keep healthy. And some reptiles have a very long life
expectancy. Small turtles can live up to 30 years; 50 to 60 years for
tortoises. If you change your mind at some point, don’t ever release
your pet into the wild. First, it’s cruel, and second, a non-native
species can wreak havoc on the ecosystem.
You Consider it a Hobby: If you are
fascinated by a certain species, owning a reptile can be a rewarding
hobby. "Some people really like the intricate figuring out of the
husbandry aspect," Gordon says. "They like having their own
little zoo in their house."
You’re Looking for Love: McNeil
freely admits that as a teen he was headed down the wrong path until
someone introduced him to a reptile. "I fell in love," he
says. "Kids really do bond with these things." Gordon
agrees. "I’ve had people who love their snake and have a really
tight bond."
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