A Guide to Ethical Pet Reptile Care

The information stated in this piece contains opinions, and is based on a cross referencing of many online reptile forums, care guides, articles, and interviews conducted with reptile breeders and distributors in the New England area over the past few years. Information may therefore be inaccurate outside of the United States, or in other regions of the country. As the companion reptile world grows and changes, this information may become outdated. Always do your own research before acquiring any pet.

In the search for a smaller, low-commitment pet, many people turn to reptiles. What they may fail to consider is that these animals can grow larger and require more effort in their care than their canine and feline counterparts. Pet reptiles are often mistreated under the false guise that they are less capable of building bonds with their owners and feeling pain from incorrect husbandry. Moreover, the reptile pet trade is unethical when sourcing its animals. This is not to say that reptiles cannot make good pets. Reptiles are fun to watch, and helping them thrive can be extremely rewarding. Keeping a pet reptile may provide companionship and comfort in the same way that a companion mammal can. If after reading this piece you still feel compelled to take on the responsibility of reptile ownership, the key to ethical pet reptile acquisition lies in rescues. It is completely unethical to purchase a reptile from a pet store or breeder.

The first step in reptile ownership should be research, and lots of it. Choose the best pet reptile for you based on factors such as size (of both the animal and their enclosure), diet, temperature, humidity, temperament, and socialization needs. Make sure that the animal you wish to own is legal in your area. If you live in the United States, you may find the guide to reptile ownership legislation by USARK to be helpful. You can view this guide here: https://usark.org/reptile-ownership-laws-by-state/. Species-specific reptile care may be under-researched compared to mammals in the pet trade. Because of this, it can be difficult to find educated, beginner-friendly sources. Many similar websites may conflict with each other, and the pamphlets given out at pet stores are often misleading. This may be due to a desire to oversimplify and cheapen reptile care in order to encourage customers to purchase a pet under the idea that it will be easier to care for. One way to find reliable care guides and have your questions answered is to join online forums and communities full of experienced owners and other beginners looking for advice. There, you will be more likely to find care methods based on what has worked for animals and their owners in the past, without as much concern that the advice could be incorrect, sponsored content.

Photo: Peter Spiegel

When considering how many reptiles you are willing to adopt, keep in mind that many reptile species cannot be cohabitated. Ensure that all the necessary materials to care for that species are available to you, and that you will be able to afford these items for the animal’s entire life. Many common pet reptiles, such as leopard geckos, ball pythons, and bearded dragons, can live for well over a decade. It is also important to note that reptiles, like all animals, will require access to proper medical care. Exotic animal appointments may be harder to arrange depending on where you live. It may be tempting to purchase cheaper care options to save money, but these alternatives are likely to negatively impact the health of your pet. Some examples of harmful reptile supplies often sold in stores include reptile carpets, electric heating rocks, and incorrect bedding (such as cedar). These products can lead to injuries, and even death.

Reptile supplies such as substrate, decor, food, supplements, and heating/lighting fixtures are not a one-time purchase. These items will need to be replaced many times throughout the life of your reptile, so plan accordingly. One tip to save money on substrate and plant decor would be to design a bioactive enclosure which, if set up correctly, could create a self-cleaning environment that requires less maintenance. Once the correct enclosure size for the adult reptile is purchased, it is not likely to need to be replaced unless it becomes damaged. However, many species need large enclosures which can be expensive, especially because one should opt for a tank larger than the listed minimum for that species. This will help your animal to thrive, instead of merely surviving. It is important to keep an open mind in reptile care. As more research is done on proper husbandry, it is possible that you will need to upgrade your reptile’s environment to help the animal live a more comfortable life in captivity.

After the correct supplies have been purchased, set up the enclosure and ensure that proper temperature and humidity hold steady throughout the day and night. Many species require heat gradients throughout the enclosure as well as a safe, but noticeable temperature drop at night. Research these values for your specific species and use digital probes throughout the enclosure to measure accurate readings. Proper humidity for reptiles varies greatly from species to species. Make sure you are using the values for your specific locality of reptile. For example, an Indonesian blue-tongued skink will require more humidity than an Australian locality. Humidity and temperature levels are extremely important for reptiles, as imbalances could lead to unhealthy shedding, respiratory issues, lack of appetite, and burns. Before placing decor items in the enclosure, make sure to clean them. A safe way to disinfect these items would be to spray them down with reptile-safe cleaner, wash them with water, and allow them to fully dry before placing them in the habitat. Any items taken from the outdoors should be sterilized by washing them in a vinegar solution and placing them in the oven at a low temperature for 1-2 hours.

Once the enclosure is fully set up and is safe for your reptile, the next step is to decide how you will be acquiring your new companion. While it may be tempting to purchase the animal from a large chain store, the following are some things to consider. These stores, such as Petco and PetSmart, purchase their reptiles from businesses that function as animal mills. They keep their animals in unhealthy conditions where they do not have access to medical care and correct husbandry. Many of the reptiles kept in these facilities die before they can be sold. The lack of care for these mass-produced animals is why these stores can sell them to you at a discounted price. Additionally, these animals are often sickly and do not live long, no matter the quality of care they receive once taken home. I therefore do not recommend buying any animal from these establishments.

Some people opt to purchase an animal from a breeder, either online or at events known as “reptile expos.” Advancing the Interests of Animals (AIA) is opposed to the breeding and sale of animals. Reptile breeders often utilize a “bin” or “rack” system in which their animals are housed in bare-minimum enclosures devoid of enrichment opportunities. Breeders may also be hesitant to disclose information to you about the conditions of the reptiles that they keep and sell. They may be neglecting their reptiles, or buying them wild-caught, which will be discussed later in this article. Pet reptiles are classified and priced based on colors and markings. These are called “morphs.” This is another area where reptile breeding is unethical. While it is tempting to purchase certain animals based on their patterns, it is important to note that many morphs have been bred by unethical practices. One critical example of this is the “spider” ball python. This morph is extremely popular due to the interesting patterns it creates on the snake’s scales. Unfortunately,
keepers of snakes with this morph often attest that the genetic difference that causes this also manifests itself in the neurological health of the animal. These ball pythons are significantly more likely to develop an uncontrollable “wobble,” meaning that they constantly shake back and forth. Depending on the severity, this can make it extremely difficult for the snake to eat their food and move around their enclosure.

Buying an animal online comes with an added risk. Shipping a reptile can be dangerous, as their inability to regulate their own temperature can lead to their demise in overly hot or cold conditions. For these reasons, the AIA does not support the purchasing of reptiles from breeders. Some reptile distributors will sell animals that are wild-caught. This means that the animal was found in its natural habitat, and removed to be sold into the captive pet trade. Buying a wild-caught reptile is extremely unethical. Purchasing these reptiles supports the removal of native species from their home environments. This can affect the ecosystems that these animals come from. Additionally, these animals can harbor diseases from their original location. These could be zoonotic, such as salmonella, meaning that they could be transferred to people. Additionally, if these sick animals end up escaping into the surrounding ecosystems, they could devastate populations of native species that lack immunity to these strains. Once again, these animals are often stressed and unhealthy, meaning that they may not survive long in captivity. Acquiring the animals from their native environment and transporting them requires additional labor that may increase their price. It is therefore not ethical, sanitary, or economical to purchase these animals. Again, this is another reason why the AIA is against the purchasing of companion reptiles. The only ethical way to keep pet reptiles is to adopt them instead. Many animal rescues will take in surrendered reptiles that need homes. By adopting these animals, you are giving them a safe place to live, and saving yourself the trouble and cost of purchasing an animal. Although it is less common, your local animal shelter may take in the occasional snake, turtle, or lizard in need of a home. There are also rescues across the country specifically dedicated to reptiles. Websites such as PetFinder, Reptile.rescueme.org/, and Facebook can also be used to find animals in need of a home in your area. Consider looking into your local herpetological society as well. These groups can help you find the best species for your lifestyle and may be able to help answer any questions you may have regarding the reptile you are adopting from them.

In conclusion, navigating the reptile pet trade can be overwhelming. If you are still interested in caring for a reptile, be sure to adopt one responsibly. In order to ensure that you give your new pet the best possible care, start by researching the species you wish to rescue and its specific husbandry requirements. Do your own research using the above sources to find proper reptile care items. Understand that many pet stores spread misinformation regarding husbandry and sell improper, dangerous reptile supplies. Next, set up the enclosure to make sure it is ready for your new friend. Use good judgment based on the above information in order to ethically rescue a reptile. Do not purchase a reptile from a pet store or breeder. Check local shelters and rescues for animals in need of loving homes. Once you have adopted your reptile, allow them to acclimate to their new environment without disturbing them. As they begin to become more comfortable, you may consider beginning to handle them. Understand that reptiles are not domesticated in the way that cats and dogs often are, and your new companion may not enjoy physical contact in the same way. Be understanding and open minded as the reptile care world grows, and always seek to give your scaly friend the best care possible. If done correctly and compassionately, reptile keeping can be extremely rewarding.