Unlike dogs and cats, handling pet reptiles can be more challenging and confusing due to some specific requirements such as temperature control and certain types of food. However, by implementing certain steps and tips, you can feel the joy of calling a reptile your pet. Before you delve right in, think twice and ask yourself if you are truly prepared to adopt a lizard or a snake as your pet. If you are, consider these 6 tips to provide optimum comfort to your pet reptile.

1.   Learn the Right Way to Handle Them

Your pet will feel the most comfortable if they are handled in the right way. Mishandling or squeezing them will definitely make them feel unsafe and uncomfortable. You need your pet reptile to trust you, which is possible by learning to handle it. You must be confident and have a firm grip when holding your pet snake, turtle, or lizard. This will also help enhance your relationship with your pet and strengthen your bond. Feeling timid or intimidated when holding a reptile is easily sensed by them and makes them feel uneasy. If you are not confident, choose a reptile that does not intimidate you.

2.   Prepare Their Habitat with Scrutiny

Needless to say, you should prepare your pet’s habitat with a careful assessment to make them feel at home. For them, their sanctuary should be similar to the wild conditions they have been exposed to. Most reptile pets need a terrarium to live in. When buying and setting up one, make sure that the inner edges are smooth to keep your pet from hurting itself. Install plants, rocks, and other decorative elements similar to the wild conditions. Lizards and snakes may also need branches and twigs to climb on. Look online for further inspiration or visit your local pet store to get more ideas. More importantly, give them enough room to move around. Failing to do so will make them feel constrained and suffocated, which, in turn, will make them uncomfortable.

3.   Maintain the Temperature

Reptiles are cold-blooded, which means that they need a certain temperature range to survive with ease. Depending on the type of reptile you have, consider the optimum temperature range they need. Failing to provide a healthy environment will not only make them uncomfortable but also affect their health. Over time, it can also reduce their lifespan. You can either install heat lamps, snake heating pads, or reptile under-tank heaters to stabilize the temperature inside your pet’s terrarium. Some reptiles even have proper humid conditions to survive, especially those that are retrieved from tropical regions. However, excessive humidity can increase the risk of bacterial growth and infections.

4.   Handle Live Prey with Care

Since many reptiles survive on live prey such as rats and insects, you must arrange for their food accordingly. However, leaving live prey in their tank for long is not advisable as it can damage your reptile’s skin and ears. Once you feed it by leaving the prey inside their cage, give it some time to finish eating. However, if the live prey is still left untouched by your reptile for over an hour, take it out with care. That being said, make sure that you have adhered to your pet’s nutritional requirements after consulting your vet.

5.   Learn How to Treat Injured Reptiles

Your pet reptile can get injured too. If it needs treatment without supervision from the vet, learn the right way to treat your pet. Firstly, learn to decode the symptoms or signs of injuries or sickness in your pet reptile. If it is constantly wheezing or shows no response, take them to the vet. Any sign of blood or swelling indicates injury. After inspecting the wound, clean it using distilled water and apply a topical antiseptic cream over the cut. This will make your pet feel comfortable until you take it to the vet.

6.   Keep Your Pet’s Surroundings Clean

All animals need clean surroundings to live, including your pet reptile. It is necessary to deep clean your pet’s tank or terrarium every few days as it will keep harmful pathogens and odor away. This is particularly important if you feed your pet live prey. While cleaning and arranging the tank is important, sanitizing it is also a crucial part of the process. When cleaning your reptile’s terrarium, wash your hands as your pet can easily detect scents. If it senses a foreign odor, it may hesitate to live within the terrarium.

With these tips in place, you are ready to bring your pet home and make them feel comfortable. If you have never owned a pet reptile before but wish to adopt one, it is necessary to comprehend and gain insights on handling and treating your pet. Show respect to your pet reptile for it to trust you.