How to Make a Reptile Zoo at Home

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Have you ever wondered if a reptile is the right pet for you? If you love reptiles and want to keep multiples in your home, familiarize yourself with your pet's needs and prepare for its arrival. Research different species to find the right fit for your lifestyle and prepare a suitable habitat. Here are some tips for creating your very own reptile zoo.

Steps

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  1. Most people who buy reptiles are inexperienced and don't realize that owning reptiles takes a lot of time and effort. Reptiles are sometimes very cautious and uncomfortable with loud noises (sans snakes, which are deaf) or sudden movements. If you're looking for an animal to play with, you may want a dog or a cat. Reptiles aren't the type of animals who will want to play fetch with you or any games, although some reptiles such as bearded dragons and blue-tongue skinks can be quite friendly and affectionate. You also need a lot of patience owning a reptile; especially when you buy one for the first time; they might not trust you immediately and back further into the cage when you approach it. It takes some time to get a reptile to trust you. You must set aside time to clean their enclosures, feed and water them, take them to the vet, etc. Realize that owning a reptile takes a lot of time and effort & think very hard about it before you decide to buy one.
  2. All species of reptiles are different from one another; just like other animals, like birds and mammals, are different. Think about the types of reptiles you want for your zoo. You'll want to start with one reptile before you develop the zoo. Baby reptiles are recommended because they can grow up getting used to you and trusting you, whereas adults might be more cautious and could potentially bite or attack you. If you're a beginner reptile owner, these are some reptile species that are perfect for first-timers;
    • Green Anoles
    • Leopard geckos .
    • Crested geckos
    • Bearded dragons .
      If you're a first-timer, do not buy a Green Iguana or any venomous snake. These reptiles need extensive care and they grow big and fast. Most beginners buy an iguana and realize too late, and either abandon the animal or don't care for it properly, sometimes making it ill.
    • Corn snakes .
    • Ball pythons.
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  3. 3
    Research your chosen starter reptile as much as possible! You can't learn enough or too much. Every animal has learning potential. Even an expert will admit to learning new things each day.
  4. You can't buy a reptile and not have the proper care and place to put it. As a minimum, you'll need a nice big enclosure, a water source, and a food source, proper lighting fixtures , some powdered vitamins and calcium you can sprinkle on their food, and a good place for your reptile to hide to feel safe (A hollow log or rock it can climb in, etc.). You might need to buy other things depending on your choice of reptile. You'll need to set this up where there isn't a lot of noise, other animals can't get to it, and its environment is controllable.
  5. Bring it home right away and place it in its enclosure. Leave it alone for a few hours and let it get used to its new home.
  6. You can buy another separate enclosure or use a giant one to keep the same reptile species, based on the species. Some species are best kept separately and not in a communal situation. Remember to buy everything you'll need before purchasing each new exhibit for your reptile zoo.
  7. Some animals come with not only high price tags but also high needs. Some are venomous, some are just plain dangerous, some are protected, and some are highly illegal to keep.
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  • Question
    How many reptiles can I keep in a 3 gallon encloser?
    Sarasoccer01
    Community Answer
    Most likely none. Most reptiles need approximately 10 gallons of an enclosure, depending on the kind of reptile you purchase.
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  • Question
    I'm thinking about moving my land turtle in to a bigger cage. She won't eat sometimes. What should I do?
    Community Answer
    Moving your tortoise to a bigger cage is a good idea, and it gives them more space to move around and live. If your tortoise isn't eating, try to see your reptile/exotic animal vet, or try some different foods. Be sure the foods are safe for her to eat, and it might be that she just doesn't like some foods. However, she may also be sick, so seeing the vet for a short checkup is a good idea as well.
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  • Question
    How many can I keep in one room?
    Community Answer
    That really depends on the amount of space you have the room you're considering.
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      Tips

      • Always research your reptiles.
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      • If you're placing two different tanks next to each other, place a piece of cardboard in between so the reptiles won't see each other and feel threatened or unsafe.
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      • Putting two males in a tank is not a good idea. They may fight for dominance or over a female. A male and a female together may mate. Your best bet would be two females.
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      References

      1. An article for reptile beginners

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