Today Is National Reptile Awareness Day! Find Out if These Exotic Pets Are Right for You!
Today Is National Reptile Awareness Day! Find Out if These Exotic Pets Are Right for You!
How would you like a pet that does not shed fur, require daily walks, claw your furniture or bark? If that appeals to you, consider becoming the proud parent of a reptile! Today is National Reptile Awareness Day, and we have the information you need to decide if a frog, snake, turtle, or lizard is the right pet companion choice for you.
Often considered exotic pets, these animals have different care requirements than cats and dogs. That is why it is essential to do a bit of research before bringing a reptile into your home.
Consider the Diet
Reptiles come in various shapes and sizes and have different dietary needs. For example, lizards like to eat live crickets, and snakes prefer to hunt and eat rodents. Make sure you are okay with regularly providing for this need before adopting one as a pet. Other reptiles are happy with vegetables, fruit and processed pellets designed for their needs.
Create a Healthy Habitat
Create a habitat for your reptile that mimics how they live in the wild. Setting the lighting, temperature and humidity at the correct levels helps them feel at home and thrive! Make sure you have a few hiding places for your pet to retreat to as well.
To keep the environment healthy for your exotic pet, follow the instructions for cleaning and disinfecting their living space. Be sure to wash your hands after cleaning up after your reptile and after handling your pet.
Now that you know more about reptiles as pets, if you are interested in adopting one, you will be happy to know they often have long lifespans too. Lizards can live up to 30 years, and some tortoises thrive for 50 years or more. That makes these exotic pets appealing indeed!
As this post is for educational purposes only, before considering any of these as a pet, remember not all reptiles are allowed in Hawaii. For a list of conditional approved animals and restricted & prohibited animals, please visit the State of Hawaii’s website for more information.
For a list of exotic pets that Pet Hospitals of Hawaii cares for, please give any of our 3 locations a call today.
Waipahu Waikele
Kailua
Pet Specialists of Hawaii
Powered by:
