Reptiles are red, Reptiles are blue, Poems are hard. Reptiles.

These are my boys! Nadya (left) Endive (right)

     When most people think of house pets or companion animals they think of dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs and even fish, but do they ever think about the cold blooded scaly ones? Over the past three years I have developed what I classify as an addiction, reptiles. It started out in December of 2014 and after about 6 months worth of research I decided that I wanted two bearded dragons. The 6 months of research was definitely not over-kill because even two years later I'm still learning! I learn
about new foods that are available to them, what they like, don't like (Yes, reptiles do have preferences) and even new items I can put in their tank to provide a more entertaining environment.

Endive and his toy

     Reptiles come in all shapes and sizes from slithery to scaly and even as smooth as silk! Each one has to be given different types of lighting, food, habitats etc. depending on each ones needs. Most people think of reptiles as for the lack of a better term cold blooded creepies. Reptiles may be cold blooded but they sure do warm my heart and many others! They are great pets and most do great with children as long as the children are supervised and understand how to hold and maintain themselves around a smaller animal that is far more sensitive than a dog or cat. My brother may not love all my reptiles as I do but he does understand how to handle them, which is important to me. I have seen many people have reptiles for children ranging from ages 7 to 13 to teach them responsibility, while the younger ages need assistance caring for reptiles it is still a very good learning experience. Reptiles range in form from Bearded dragons,
leopard geckos, crested geckos, tegus, iguanas, monitors and even snakes. I myself have always sided more with the lizard types rather than snakes, but I do love snakes non the less.

      Now on to the hard part about reptiles. Most people don't realize that cute baby bearded dragon you see in the shop right now, pressed up against the glass just begging you to take him home can live upwards of 9 years, some even live up to around 18! If you buy one treat it like you would any other household pet and provide for it properly, give it love and let it live out its days with you, not keep it for a few years and then get rid of it because it simply got too big or wasn't as fun. Bearded dragons require a uvb bulb and heat bulb 12 hours a day and 12 hours off. They do need sleep and unless your house dips below 60 F on a nightly basis a 'night' heat bulb will not be necessary. They have this really cool thing on top of their head called a 'third eye' I don't know the scientific term for it but it senses predators and lighting, so when you have a light on all night the dragon can still sense its on. However if your house does dip below that mark you can a ceramic heat emitter which puts off heat with no light! Wonderful invention right? Most reptiles are also solitary animals so I can guarantee you that the only companion your lizard will ever need is you and no one else. It might be cool to have two but in reality your lizard will not be very happy and will be rather upset to have to share his food, heat and tank with someone else, having two in the same tank can have a bad outcome such as bodily harm to one or the other and even death. :(  Reptiles have a variety of diets such as herbivores, insectivores and omnivores. Do you remember learning those in elementary school? Bearded dragons are omnivores they eat vegetables (good way to get the kids to eat them!) and insects! They eat quite a variety from collard greens, to apples and even sweet potato! Now on the gross part, they eat a variety of bugs as well! They eat superworms, dubia roaches and a variety of other worms which should never be caught from outside no matter how much fun it for the kids to go hunt em' down.  All in all bearded dragons are great pets but you know what they say, 'With great pets comes great responsibility' or maybe I just say that?

Amaranth (above) and Emily (below)

Emily coming out to Hello


     Now onwards to some other breeds! I have had a variety of lizards over the past few years and one of my other favorite breeds would have to be the leopard gecko. Leopard geckos are fun curious animals and are very friendly! In fact I have one named Emily and if you place your hand in her tank she will gladly crawl right up your arm and sit on you forever. The jury is out on whether they need a uvb bulb or not but the one thing they definitely need is a heat pad. They require a heat pad covering 1/3 of their tank in order to digest their food properly. They are insectivores (approved bugs only!) and need certain vitamins such as bearded dragons on a daily basis. Leopard geckos are mainly nocturnal but I see mine come out in the daytime every so often as well. All in all they are wonderful creatures and blast to handle!

     So please next time you consider getting a pet or buying one. Please look into your local reptile rescue and they will be able to assist you more, besides just reading this post please do research and find the right reptile for your family. They come in all shapes and sizes with hearts ready to love and be loved! They may be cold blooded but they can warm your heart :)

With great pets comes great responsibility

 

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