| So you've finally made the decision that you're going to | | | | you can on it. Find out the size and type of housing |
| get your first pet reptile - but where do you even | | | | necessary. |
| start? | | | | Find out about what to feed and how often. Also find |
| Well luckily it's not as hard as you may have thought | | | | out where you can get that food from locally to you. |
| initially. | | | | If possible, visit discussion forums or local reptile stores |
| The first factor to consider is what you can provide to | | | | to ask questions to experts who can ensure you are |
| your new pet. Consider factors such as the size of | | | | fully prepared for this exciting new responsibility. |
| cage you could safely accommodate and the food | | | | Once you feel you have a reasonable grasp on the |
| you would feel comfortable giving. Could you feed live | | | | species you are planning to keep it is a matter of |
| insects to a reptile, or a dead mouse? Or is the most | | | | buying and setting up the housing so you can be sure |
| you could stomach a salad? | | | | everything is working smoothly before you actually |
| Also consider the time you have available - not just | | | | bring home your new captive. |
| right now - but try your best to make predictions about | | | | This includes the installation of heaters, lighting, |
| the future. Too many people buy a new pet reptile and | | | | substrate and so on and monitoring it for a period of |
| end up having to put it up for rehoming because a job | | | | time to ensure the temperature and humidity remain |
| promotion means they don't have suitable time any | | | | suitable for your reptile. |
| more or they have decided to start a family and a 2 | | | | When you are happy all this is place it is time to |
| meter long iguana isn't the safest pet to have in the | | | | actually buy your pet. Ensure you go to a reputable |
| house with a young child. | | | | pet store or specialist breeder for your animal - |
| The final thing from your perspective to think about is | | | | selecting one that is captive bred rather than wild |
| what you would like from your new pet. Are you | | | | caught if at all possible. Captive bred animals generally |
| expecting something you can safely handle on a | | | | have fewer problems and so make a better starter |
| regular basis? Or are you looking for an animal to go in | | | | pet - not to mention not depleting wild stocks of |
| a breathtaking display in your living room? | | | | reptiles. |
| These factors alone will greatly help you reduce down | | | | Ensure you choose a bright, healthy animal and allow |
| the number of potential species on your hotlist, and the | | | | him or her suitable time to settle into their new home |
| fact that you are new to keeping reptiles also means it | | | | before you start getting them out to play. |
| would be foolhardy to try and keep any of the more | | | | Lastly, ensure you find a local reptile-specialist vet so |
| difficult to care for species. | | | | that if you should have an emergency you know there |
| Once you have made a decision on the most likely | | | | is someone you can call for professional help. |
| animal for you, the next step is to read up everything | | | | |