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