If you are looking to add a pet to your family but want to or need to avoid fur or feathers, then a reptile may be perfect for you. Here, our Janesville vets share some of the best and easiest reptile pets to take care of for beginners.
Hey there! Looking to get your first reptile but worried about the care requirements? Don’t sweat it! I’ve spent years working with reptiles and can tell you there are some awesome low-maintenance options perfect for beginners. Let me walk you through the easiest reptiles to care for that’ll make your first reptile experience a joy rather than a hassle.
1. Leopard Gecko
The Perfect Starter Lizard
Leopard geckos are hands down one of the most beginner-friendly reptiles you can get! Here’s why I love recommending them
- Size: Only grows to 7-10 inches – perfect for small spaces!
- Lifespan: Can live up to 20 years with proper care
- Housing: A 10-20 gallon tank is plenty
- Temperament: Super chill and easy to handle
- Diet: Simple insect diet (crickets and mealworms)
These little guys are nocturnal, so they’re perfect if you’re busy during the day. Plus, they’ve got these adorable spots that make them look like tiny leopards!
2. Bearded Dragon
The Friendly Dragon
We’ve seen tons of happy first-time reptile owners with beardies. They’re like the golden retrievers of the reptile world!
Key Features
- Length: 18-24 inches
- Lifespan: 10-15 years
- Tank size: 75 gallons
- Diet: Mix of insects and veggies
The best part? They actually enjoy being handled and can recognize their owners! How cool is that?
3. Crested Gecko
The Low-Maintenance Climber
These cute little geckos are perfect if you’re looking for something a bit different:
- Size: Around 8 inches
- Housing: 20-gallon vertical tank
- Diet: Commercial crested gecko food + fruits
- Temperature: Room temperature is usually fine!
4. Corn Snake
The Colorful Beginner Snake
If you’re into snakes, corn snakes are your best bet! They’re:
- Docile and rarely bite
- Easy to handle
- Come in beautiful colors
- Only need a 20-gallon tank
- Eat once every 1-2 weeks
5. Ball Python
The Gentle Giant
Despite their size (2-5 feet), these snakes are super gentle:
- Very calm temperament
- Easy to handle
- Simple feeding schedule
- 30-50 gallon tank needed
6. Greek Tortoise
The Long-Term Friend
Want a pet that’ll be with you for the long haul? These guys can live over 50 years! They’re:
- Hardy and adaptable
- Herbivorous (just need veggies!)
- Full of personality
- Great for outdoor enclosures
7. Blue-Tongued Skink
The Personality Plus
These guys are like the puppy dogs of the reptile world:
- Super friendly
- Easy to handle
- Eat a variety of foods
- Show lots of personality
Essential Care Tips for Beginner Reptiles
Before you rush out to get your new scaly friend, here’s what you need to know:
Housing Basics
- Proper Enclosure Size: Always go bigger than minimum requirements
- Temperature Gradient: Hot and cool sides for thermoregulation
- Humidity Control: Different species need different levels
- UVB Lighting: Essential for most species
Feeding Guidelines
- Most beginner reptiles eat:
- Insects (crickets, mealworms)
- Vegetables
- Commercial foods
- Frozen mice (for snakes)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping regular vet check-ups
- Wrong temperature settings
- Insufficient UVB lighting
- Overhandling new pets
Wrapping Up
Getting your first reptile doesn’t have to be scary! Start with one of these easy-care species, and you’ll be a pro in no time. Remember, even the “easiest” reptiles still need proper care and attention – they’re just more forgiving of beginner mistakes.
Need more specific advice? Drop a comment below! I’d love to help you choose your perfect scaly friend.
PS: Always buy from reputable breeders or pet stores, and never take reptiles from the wild. Trust me, captive-bred pets make much better companions!
What are the best reptiles for handling as a beginner?
Reptiles come in a variety of shapes and sizes. While the care required varies from reptile to reptile, they all have certain similarities. Either way, its important to have an idea of what you are getting into prior to deciding to bring home a new pet reptile.
Here are some of our picks for the easiest reptiles for beginners to take care of:
A leopard gecko is a hardy and peaceful pet that is ideal for beginners. These spotted geckos are quiet and easy to care for, making them ideal household pets. Because they are nocturnal, if your family is active early in the morning or late at night, you will get to witness their peak activity!
A Bearded can reach a length of 24 inches and live for more than a decade. They are one of the best pet reptiles for handling, as beardies enjoy being picked up. They eat a variety of foods such as crickets, worms, and vegetables.
Crested geckos are calm but interesting animals. The long crests on their bodies and eyes give them the appearance of cartoons. This kind of gecko is arboreal and requires a vertical habitat, making it an ideal pet for someone who may not have enough space for a standard horizontal enclosure.
Turtles can reach 11 inches in length and survive for more than 30 years. Turtles spend most of their life in water, have webbed feet, and are omnivores. A turtles diet may include crickets, worms, goldfish, vegetables, and pellets.
Corn snakes spend most of their time hiding and digging, therefore they require a cage that allows them to do so. Because of their curiosity, they are excellent escape artists, so make sure their tank and lid are secure. These multicolored snakes make excellent reptile pets because they are small and docile.
You can spend more time appreciating them than caring for them if they have a proper and regulated habitat. Many people want to acquire iguanas but are put off by their size or violent behavior, so the water dragon is a wonderful compromise. They are significantly smaller and far friendlier, yet retain the same physical characteristics.
Tortoises are land-dwelling reptiles that can grow to be 12 inches long and live for more than 50 years if properly cared for. Tortoises have an ancient pedigree that can be traced back to the days of the dinosaurs, making them appear incredibly prehistoric. Unlike turtles, these guys are herbivores who prefer to live on land rather than in water.
The 5 EASIEST Reptiles ANYONE Can Care For!
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