Reptiles as pets — part 1
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In some ways reptiles seem to be the perfect pets. They don’t make any noise, they don’t have to be walked daily or have a litter box cleaned, they don’t eat a lot, and some of them can go days with no attention. Also, they are somewhat unique pets — not everyone has one.
Unfortunately for the reptiles few people realize just how difficult most of them can be to maintain. Each species has its own Preferred Optimum Temperature Zone (POTZ) which can be a very limited range. It’s not that the animal can’t survive in cooler or warmer temperatures but it will be stressed and that leads to illnesses. In most cases it is desirable to have a temperature gradient in the cage-warmer in some places, cooler in others. This is usually attained with the use of a heating pad, hot rock or basking light but these can cause burns.
Many species require a minimum number of hours of unfiltered sunlight or exposure to special wavelength fluorescent lights each day. If using the fluorescent lights the bulbs must be changed regularly to maintain proper wavelengths.
As to space, reptiles continue to grow throughout life. That 8-inch iguana can become a 3–4 foot long lizard. And the 1– inch python, if it lives, may be 15 feet long and outweigh its owner. Many of these pets outgrow the space available for them. Since they can’t be walked on a leash they must always have adequate space to exercise. Their enclosures should not have wire or screening where the occupants can rub sores or catch toes, but they do need adequate ventilation.
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