opportunity to pick up a species that may otherwise
be harder to come by.
What to look for when selecting a new
reptile.
Apart from choosing a suitable place to purchase
your reptile from, there are a few key things to be
aware of when it comes to actually selecting an
animal.
The age of the animal is important, as many new-
borns and hatchlings are very delicate and in some
cases can be fussy eaters. It is always advisable to
purchase an animal that is an established feeder.
Lizards should generally be a minimum of six-to-
eight weeks of age at the time of purchase. This
ensures that they are eating well and are robust
enough to cope with the stress of transport and
being relocated to a new enclosure. Hatchling
pythons should always come with a complete feed-
ing history, with every feed since the hatch date
recorded. Some hatchling pythons can be difficult to
start on food and you do not want to inherit a fussy
eater as your first snake.
A quick physical assessment of a potential new pet
reptile can also help determine its state of health.
Lizards should be alert, active and able to stand
upright, with bright eyes. The animal’s skin should be
firm with no wrinkles that could suggest dehydration.
Ensure there are no kinks, lumps, or deformities
along the body or limbs of the animal. A white dust-
like powder or flakes on the animal’s body could
indicate the presence of mites. A snake’s tongue
should be flicking in and out of its mouth frequently
and have a clear fork at the end of it. If you are
unsure about anything, or do not think an animal
looks to be in the best of health, do not purchase it.
Best reptiles for beginners.
Lizards.
Central Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps).
The Central Bearded Dragon is one of the most
commonly kept reptile species worldwide. ‘Beardies’
are charismatic and come in a variety of colours.
Being highly interactive, they make the perfect first
reptile pet for children and adults alike.
Blue-tongue skinks.
Blue-tongues are common, readily a