Why reptiles, amphibians make great pets

While dogs and cats remain the bulk popular pets an increasing number of people are bringing reptiles and amphibians home Generally hypoallergenic quiet clean and relatively undemanding they re popular with allergy sufferers people living in small spaces and those with busy work schedules With careful consideration and appropriate accommodations reptiles and amphibians can be a fascinating and rewarding addition to the household Related Articles Wild turkeys roam freely in Bay Area suburbs but where exactly are they from Why are my cats having trouble adjusting to new catio Keeping your pets safe happy during Fourth of July Ducks thrive in Sunnyvale pool their welcome is wearing thin Founder of new East Bay dog treat company explains hot trends in pet food industry But before adopting a reptile or amphibian also known as herps it s fundamental to take into account several key factors Commitment Majority reptiles and amphibians are long-lived Specific lizards can live more than years and a insufficient species of snakes have broken the -year mark Turtles and tortoises can often live to years or more Be prepared to take care of your pets for their entire life not just until you or your child becomes bored with them Adult size That cute little baby green iguana will soon be more than feet long and that golf ball-sized spurred tortoise will eventually tip the scales at more than pounds Research the increase prospective of the herp you re considering and its future space requirements There are various species that stay small and a scarce that grow extremely large Cost The often elaborate enclosure requirements for reptiles and amphibians can make initial setup expensive Large terrariums special heating and lighting equipment specific substrates and cage decor can add up promptly Veterinary care is also considerably higher priced so be prepared to spend and keep chosen money set aside for emergencies Expectations While countless herps tolerate handling they don t relish it and will not seek out affection like a dog or cat Herps are however fascinating to watch and their behaviors are unique They have their own personalities and can be enjoyable in their own quiet way Research If after careful consideration you believe a reptile or amphibian is right for you the next step is to do your homework and lots of it There are hundreds of species and all have specific and diverse care requirements Cage size temperature and humidity requirements necessary furnishings and proper diet vary greatly and it s crucial for your herp s wellbeing that you provide them with appropriate accommodations The internet is the the majority extensive and up-to-date stock for reptile and amphibian care but take caution as there s also a great deal of incorrect and contradictory information Looking at as a large number of websites and forums as you can find reading in recent months published books and speaking with experienced keepers is the best way to filter out the good from the bad and give you a complete and balanced understanding Adopt don t shop The reptile and amphibian pact is big business and notoriously cruel It s morphed from brick-and-mortar shops to large-scale online sales The latter even includes overnight shipping of these delicate creatures On their journey to your living room reptiles and amphibians first survive unregulated and sometimes illegal methods of capture or breeding housing and transportation JoAnna Klein writes in the New York Times Marin Humane was involved with an inspection at a large-scale wholesale distributor which uncovered inhumane and unsafe conditions resulting in the suffering and death of tens of thousands of these animals There are a scant reputable breeders but as reliably it s fundamental to do your due diligence Marin Humane often has reptiles and amphibians available for adoption In fact right now we have turtles geckos and a charming bearded dragon all waiting for homes Our staff would be happy to help you welcome a herp friend into your life with plenty of advice and assistance Samantha Winegarner is the shelter operations manager at Marin Humane which contributes Tails of Marin articles and welcomes animal-related questions and stories about the people and animals in our society Go to marinhumane org find us on social media marinhumane or email lbloch marinhumane org