Both reptiles and amphibians make weird and wonderful pets, and if you’re considering welcoming these cold-blooded companions into your home then #RookesRecommends doing your research first as it will help you to understand their living requirements, diet needs and characteristics.
For starters, do you know the difference between a reptile and an amphibian? If not, don’t worry! We’ll cover the key differences and include some top tips on how to care for them. So sit back, relax and learn!
Reptiles: Species and Facts
Most reptiles are cold-blooded meaning their body temperature is determined by how warm or cold their surroundings are. Reptiles have scales, dry skin and breathe only through their lungs. Types of reptiles that are easy to handle and will make for a great pet include:
- Bearded Dragons: incredibly popular, easy for kids to handle and very resilient, plus they’re also friendly, outgoing and enjoy interacting with their keepers. Bearded Dragons grow as big as 16 – 24 inches long and typically weigh just over 1lb; They usually attain their full size immediately after reaching sexual maturity up to 18 months after birth.
- Leopard Geckos: these regal reptiles are simple to keep and easy to handle. They’re relatively small lizards so easy to house and available in a huge range of colours. Adult females are about 7 – 8 inches long and weigh anywhere between 50 – 70 grams, while adult male geckos are about 8 – 11 inches long and weigh about 60 – 80 grams.
- Corn Snakes: an excellent choice for a first-time reptile keeper! Corn Snakes are easy to keep and only grow to about 4ft long. They are generally feed well and come in a wide range of colours and patterns. In the wild, adult corn snakes usually live around 6 – 8 years, but in captivity they can live to an impressive age of 20+ years!
- Crested Gecko: These cheeky chappies are great fun as pets and require less heating than other reptiles. In fact, most centrally heated homes wouldn’t need any additional heating for a Crested Gecko. They are nocturnal and tend to spend their days hiding under cover. Adult size Crested Geckos can grow to 8 – 10 inches long and usually weigh between 35 – 55 grams.
- Royal Python: of all the python species these are probably the most popular as they are gentle and calm. The size of a Royal Python differs between males and females, but as a guide they can grow to around 60 inches.
Amphibians: Species and Facts
All amphibians are cold-blooded with moist skin from mucus which keeps them from drying up. There are lots of amphibian species that make for great pets, but some can be fairly complicated to keep. If you’re considering having an amphibian as a pet, hopefully this list of easy-to-keep amphibians will help:
- Spotted Salamander: typically characterised by their lizard-like appearance, Salamanders have slender bodies, blunt snouts, short limbs, and a tail. Spotted Salamanders have grown in popularity as pets as they have a docile nature and are quite easy to care for. Typically dark brown or black with distinctive yellow or orange spots, Spotted Salamanders rarely bite and, like most amphibians, should be handled as little as possible to avoid damaging their sensitive skin. They can live up to 20 years and grow to around 7 inches long.
- Dart Frogs: captive-bred Dart Frogs are non-toxic and easy to care for. Unlike most amphibians, Dart Frogs are diurnal meaning they are active during the day. Because they’re small, they can be housed in beautiful terrariums that you can fill with plants and features. The average size of a pet Dart Frog is 1 – 2.5 inches long and they can live up to 12 years.
- Eastern Newts: primarily aquatic, Eastern Newts come in a variety of beautiful colours and markings, with four distinct sub-species (the Red-Spotted newt, the Broken-Striped newt, the Central newt and the Peninsula newt). The lifespan of an Eastern Newt is around 12 – 15 years and they can grow up to 5 inches long.
Housing your Unique Pet
Whether you’re thinking about getting a snake, frog, turtle, newt, lizard or gecko, when it comes to planning their living space there is a lot to think about.
For starters, if you’re interested in owning a reptile or amphibian then you’re going to need a terrarium or vivarium to keep them in (an enclosure/container used to house animals under semi-natural conditions… they look a bit like fish tanks if that helps you to visualise).
Of course, it will depend on the species of reptile or amphibian you have, but #RookesRecommends covering the bottom of the tank in substrate (a porous material that allows water to drain through).
- Aspen shavings and chips are a great choice for burrowing species and those with soft underbellies such as snakes and tortoises; the wood will absorb moisture and clump together making spot cleaning very easy.
- Escape proof habitats are great for frogs and toads (and their live food!); toads need carpet, dry moss, bark or other similar bedding.
Lighting and Heating
Lighting and heating is important for all living creatures both physically and psychologically, and when it comes to reptiles and amphibians, they need both UVB and UVA light (both types of ultraviolet light) to help keep them happy, healthy and warm.
There are many ways to warm up the enclosure of your pet reptile or amphibian (including lighting), but heat pads are one of the most effective sources of heat for your cold-blooded friend. #RookesRecommends also adding a thermometer to your vivarium so you can ensure the temperature is just right.
Light and heat dictate the circadian rhythm* which helps your pet know when to eat and when to sleep. Without a proper circadian rhythm, your pet will experience increased stress and their body will respond negatively.
*A circadian rhythm is a natural, internal process that regulates the sleep–wake cycle and repeats roughly every 24 hours.
Food and Drink
Some reptiles and amphibians eat plants, fruit and vegetables, some eat live food including insects, and some eat all of the above! It’s important to research the foods your pet reptile or amphibian should be eating so they have a healthy diet. And don’t forget to add a bowl of water to their home too!
Generally speaking, some of the main food reptiles eat are insects, plants, fruits and vegetables. Amphibians however will pretty much eat anything live that they can fit in their mouths including bugs, slugs, snails, spiders, worms and mice.
- Leopard geckos eat solely meat, usually in the form of live insects.
- Bearded dragons are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals.
- Corn snakes are meat eaters and will need to be fed whole meat such as thawed frozen rodents (being comfortable with this is an important consideration before buying a snake).
- Dart frogs are insectivores and will only eat small insects, mainly flightless fruit flies and small crickets.
Despite their size, keeping reptiles and amphibians is a big commitment as they require specific care and attention – and they can live over 20 years! When it comes to owning a reptile or amphibian, it is not a decision that should be made lightly. #RookesRecommends you do extensive research on all the wonderful species and ensure their habitat is completely ready and secure before bringing them home. In addition to the food, water, bedding, lighting and heating listed above, you will also need a range of accessories for their home including hammocks, branches, leafy plants and vines, providing the perfect environment for your pet to hide, climb and move around. For advice on keeping reptiles or amphibians, or to browse our range of terrariums and live foods, pop and see us in our High Street store.