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size and docile temperaments these animals are
easy to handle and do not require very large
enclosures.
Centralian Carpet Python (Morelia bredli).
A gentle member of the carpet python group, the
Centralian Carpet Python, or simply ‘bredli’ makes
an ideal first snake. Growing to two metres or more
they may not appeal to everyone due to their consid-
erable size, but they are generally very docile and
great to handle.
Turtles.
Many people fall in love with the cute appearance of
hatchling turtles, however turtles require more work
than other reptiles and are very long lived. They can
make a good first pet reptile but careful considera-
tion must be made before committing to a turtle.
There is no such thing as a ‘penny turtle’, as all
species of Australian freshwater turtles will grow
quite large; some reaching shell sizes of 30-40cm or
even bigger. They can live for 30-40 years in
captivity and are relatively high maintenance, due to
the necessity of providing an aquatic environment.
Write to Ben care of iHerp Australia if you have a
topic you would like to see him cover. Or you can
contact him direct via Instagram: @bendessen, or
his website: www.bendessen.com.au
Above: Bearded dragons are charismatic
and highly interactive.
Below: a reputable and responsible reptile
specialty store is a great starting point for
the beginner.