WHEN politicians are described as reptiles it’s usually due to their cold-blooded nature, their slimy appearance or their ability to shed their skin at least once a year. Making such comparisons is easy but let’s face it not many people want a politician as a pet. On the other hand, more and more popular are discovering the joys of keeping reptiles.

Reptiles are characterised by a number of physical features: they are vertebrates, cold-blooded, have scaly skin, breathe through lungs and their hearts have three to four chambers. Other vertebrates, such as fish and birds, share a number of these characteristics but only reptiles possess them all.

There are over 8,000 recognised species of reptile on the planet. These species are divided into four distinct groups, all with difficult-to-pronounce Latin names. The Crocodylia group consists of crocodiles and alligators and the lesser-known gharial; Chelonia encompasses turtles and tortoises; Squamata is the largest order of reptiles covering snakes and lizards; and the last group, Rhyncocephalia, is made up of the two species of tuatara, a reptile native to New Zealand.

In Britain the 1976 Dangerous Animals Act regulates the keeping of several species of reptile. This Act names those specified animals that cannot be kept by anyone unless they hold a licence, which is granted by a local authority. So before you go out and treat yourself to a rare breed of alligator, or the world’s deadliest snake, it’s worthwhile checking what you need a licence for and whether you can be granted it. The most popular reptiles to have as pets are lizards and snakes and as such we will concentrate on a few of the considerations involved in keeping these
two groups.

Owning a reptile involves a serious commitment and being able to spare both time and money is essential before considering such a purchase. If you’re planning to buy a snake or a lizard just to be different, or to rebel against the neighbours, then maybe you should think again.

What’s more, if you want a pet you can be tactile with, then a reptile may not be a wise choice. Although some species respond well to handling, many do not. As a natural defence mechanism, several lizards will shed their
tails if handled roughly. Snakes can also be injured if abused but are generally a little tougher than their lizard friends.

If the choice is whether to buy a lizard or a snake, the decision will often depend on how much you are willing to spend. On the whole snakes are less expensive to keep than lizards but this does depend on the size of the reptile you want to house. A large snake may be more expensive than a small lizard while a large lizard, such as a bearded dragon, will inevitably be costlier than a small garter snake.

Feeding can be a contentious issue for potential reptile owners. All snakes are carnivorous and will, therefore, need their regular supply of meat. In the case of small snakes this may not be so off-putting but if the thought of defrosting mice and rats for your larger pets turns your stomach, maybe it’s not the pet for you. Most lizards feed on small invertebrates, such as insects and grubs, while some are content to eat plants. However, some larger species will only be satisfied with a rodent-sized meal.

Housing reptiles is another big consideration. The size of the vivarium needed to house your chosen pet will obviously depend on the size of the reptile but also the type of reptile being housed. For example, if you are thinking of keeping arboreal (tree dwelling) lizards then its home needs to be tall enough to house some sort of branch system, and must be large enough to allow free movement and allow the animal to grow. The housing environment is essential to the animal’s good health.

The climate preferred by your chosen lizard or snake also needs to be taken into account. Will it be a hot and dry loving species or will warm and humid be more its style? Lighting and heating devices will come into play when recreating your pet’s preferred temperature and environment. On the whole snakes will only need some extra heat and no extra light but some lizards demand certain light wavelengths in order to stay healthy, so specialised
lighting is essential.

The temperature and climate required will dictate what substance your vivarium can be made of; the main materials commonly used are glass, plastic or wood. Glass and plastics are likely to uphold a level of humidity more than wood, while all three materials would suffice in creating dry conditions.

It is important to remember that temperatures inside your pet’s housing should be reduced at night. Just as temperatures will drop at night in the wild, these conditions should be recreated in the vivarium.

Last but not least, keeping your pet_s housing clean can go a long way to ensuring its long-term health Do not use a regular disinfectant as this may cause harm to your pet (perhaps more de-scaling than you had in mind). Instead consult your local reptile shop for a reptile-friendly alternative.

Keeping reptiles can be very satisfying, as many species will gradually warm to human interaction. As very few reptiles are native to the UK, remember that most snakes and lizards you keep will have been taken out of their natural habitat. Recreating their home conditions is the key to keeping a happy and healthy pet.


Reptiles - The facts
Reptiles are thought to have been on earth for over 200 million years. There are over 4,000 species of lizards in the world and nearly 30,000 species of snakes. Snakes have no moveable eyelids or external ears. The Komodo Dragon is the world’s largest lizard, growing up to 10ft in length. Gaboon Vipers have the longest fangs of any snake, measuring up to nearly 2in in length. A chameleon's tongue can be up to 14cm long (as long as its body) and has a club-shaped mucus-covered tip on the end with which it catches its prey (insects and spiders). Most snakes can swallow prey that is three times or more their own body diameter. The venom of the Australian Brown Snake is so powerful only 1/14,000th of an ounce is enough to kill a human. Texas horned lizards can squirt blood from their eyes. Some can hit enemies up to 10ft (3m) away.

Longest Snakes In The World
1. Royal Python 35ft
2. Anaconda 28ft
3. Indian Python 25ft
4. Diamond Python 21ft
5. King Cobra 19ft
6. Boa constrictor 16ft
7. Bushmaster 12ft
8. Giant brown snake 11ft
9. Diamond rattlesnake 9ft
10. Indigo or gopher snake 8ft