Healthy Habitats for Happy Reptiles
If you have a fascination for peculiar creatures, then you may want to consider getting an exotic pet such as a reptile. While some reptiles require high maintenance, most of them are quite easy to care for. In order to keep your reptile happy, it is important to provide it with an environment that is most similar to its natural habitat, whether it is a grassland, forest or desert.
The ideal housing for a reptile is usually an aquarium tank or terrarium. The size of the tank will vary based on the size of the animal, ranging from 10 to 30 gallons, or even larger for bigger creatures. Snakes require a horizontally oriented tank, while lizards need a taller one to allow them to climb. The housing should be made of glass to prevent the animal from scaling the sides, and in some cases, it may be necessary to block the back and side views for the pet's safety.
The lid of the housing is usually made of mesh to allow for airflow, but it must be secure enough to prevent the reptile from escaping. Some reptiles require maximum airflow, and in other cases, such as when the animal is shedding, it may be necessary to block half or more of the screen to retain moisture in the housing.
Each reptile has its unique heating and lighting needs, so there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Pet stores can offer guidance on this, but most snakes and lizards require a lot of heat, and one area of the housing should be warmer for basking. Heat lamps or heating pads can provide the required temperature.
The substrate for geckos, lizards, and snakes can be as simple as chemical-free paper, although many owners prefer to use reptile carpet or sanitized mulch. Reptile carpet is ideal for animals that may ingest small substrate particles that could harm their digestive system, while sanitized mulch is best for snakes and animals that like to burrow.
Furnishing the reptile's habitat is straightforward. The pet requires a few items to hide around and climb on, such as branches and shrubs, and something to go into for hiding. Usually, this is a small enclosed box or a similar object, and it should contain some moss or paper towels to hold moisture and provide humidity.
Spending time to create the right home for your snake or lizard can provide you with many years of enjoyment from your exotic pet. The
happier the reptile, the longer it will live. Furthermore, it is said that pet owners live longer, so it's a win-win situation.