Every reptile species has its own personality, environmental requirements, and care needs. Interestingly, certain reptiles are in greater demand than others because of their appearance and traits. According to research, Australians and American keepers prefer bearded dragons, while ball pythons are sought after in India and Mexico. In this guide, we reveal the most popular pet reptiles to help you decide which ectothermic animals are best for you.
1. Bearded Dragons: The Most Popular Reptile Pet
The bearded dragon earns the top pet reptile spot because of its cute appearance, friendly nature, and ease of maintenance. More fondly known as beardies, these miniature dragons grow to a size of 24 inches. They’re an excellent choice for first-time reptile owners because they bond to their keepers quickly and have a gentle disposition.
Caring for beardies is relatively straightforward, and they do quite well in a 75-gallon tank. These lizards are slightly arboreal and will spend some time climbing branches, which should be added to their indoor habitat. A bearded dragon needs a fairly high basking temperature of at least 100℉ along with a cool side where they can relax and regulate their temperature.
You should feed a beardie once a day on a diet of insects, plant matter, and smaller prey such as pinkie mice. It’s always a good idea to dust these items with a calcium-based powder to support the skeletal development of bearded dragons. The right balance of nutrition will protect your pets against common reptile diseases.
2. Ball Pythons Are Easy-going Pets
The ball python is another popular pet reptile because these easy-going snakes have gentle temperaments that allow keepers to frequently handle them. Commonly known as royal pythons, these snakes can live up to 30 years with the proper diet and care. Ball pythons are great pets and a favorite among first-time reptile owners.
These snakes will reach five feet in length and should be provided a spacious enclosure where they can move around with ease. A 30-gallon tank is recommended for adult pythons. This particular python species rarely bite, and when they become stressed, they will curl themselves into a ball. To keep them at ease, they must be gently held and regularly interacted with.
Keep ball pythons happy by creating a basking area for them at around 90℉. A basking light using an incandescent bulb will provide your ball python with a warm spot for temperature regulation. Always monitor temperature and ensure it is the correct distance from the light to the basking spot to prevent burning your pet snake.
3. Leopard Geckos Enjoy Interaction
They’re cute and interactive, and along with their friendliness, leopard geckos are amazing reptile companions. Leopard geckos have spotted skin and incredibly thick tails. They can live over 20 years with the correct care and diet. Adults should be housed in a 20-gallon tank, and because they’re ground explorers, give them a horizontal tank with a lot of floor space.
Because these tiny geckos have such gentle personalities, they don’t mind being handled. To avoid gastrointestinal obstructions, it’s best to use a substrate they cannot consume such as reptile carpet and newspaper. While bark is preferred, there is a risk of your small geckos consuming the bits of debris.
When creating the ideal habitat for your pet gecko, always add areas to burrow or hide containers where they can find shelter during the day. Leopard geckos are more active at night, but they need a heating bulb of 90℉ on the warmer end of the enclosure. Geckos prefer to consume insects, including silkworms, mealworms, and crickets, and they make excellent pet reptiles for kids.
4. Corn Snakes Are Mellow and Hardy
If you’re looking for a colorful snake with a mellow personality that is easy to maintain, then the corn snake is for you. These popular pet snakes enjoy spending time with their keepers, provided they’ve been tamed and gently handled. Another reason for the corn snake’s popularity is their incredible lifespan. These four-foot-long snakes can live up to 20 years in captivity, which is remarkable.
A corn snake rarely bites, and if they’re unhappy, their tails will shudder. It’s another reason that these slim snakes are chosen as reptiles for children. To keep a satisfied snake, you’ll need to provide at least a 20-gallon tank with a basking spot of around 86℉. In addition to heat, corn snakes can tolerate humidity of up to 60%. It’s relatively easy to feed the small snakes, and they do well with thawed mice that are left to reach room temperature.
5. Blue-Tongue Skinks Are Rising in Popularity
Lastly, blue-tongue skinks are slowly growing in popularity across the world because of their unusual appearance and easy-going temperament. Much like their name suggests, these lizards have broad blue tongues that are actually used to ward off predators. The blue color creates the impression that the lizard is ill, making a predator think twice about eating them.
Blue-tongue skinks are interesting lizards that reach 20 years of age and 24 inches in length. They’re suited to first-time owners because they warm up to human interaction quickly, and they’re very smart. You can teach your blue-tongue skink to respond to a word or two with gentle and patient training.
The most popular pet reptiles in the world are known for their friendliness, beauty, and easy handling. Regardless of size, these ectotherms make great pets, and with corn snakes and leopard geckos, many newbies can experience the joy of reptile keeping.
