ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, August 4, 1996 TAG: 9608050001
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV15 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
COLUMN: Claws & Paws
SOURCE: JILL BOWEN
Q: I have often wondered about getting an iguana or some other sort of reptile as a pet, maybe even a snake. I don't know much about looking after them, but thought it would be kind of neat and different.
A: I would stress that deciding to have a reptile as a family pet just because it is more exotic than a dog or cat is not really a very good basis for deciding to become the proud owner of a reptile, especially as they often live for a relatively long time.
They also require quite a lot of looking after and are not the easiest of pets to care for. So before you decide to embark on this course there are a number of facts that will be helpful to know.
Read as much as possible about the particular reptile you decide on. Find out as much as you can about its native habitat, food and feeding practices, and behavior.
Be prepared to allow for special temperature and humidity requirements.
Talk to your veterinarian and see if he or she is knowledgeable about reptiles and is prepared to treat them.
If necessary, look for a specialist veterinarian who is both knowledgeable about and treats reptiles. Do not rely on information from friends, especially if it is hearsay from a third party. Make certain you will be able to provide the correct food that your particular reptile requires, as many have very specific food requirements.
Check with the local ordinances to see whether they allow reptiles to be kept as pets.
It is important to build proper facilities to house your pet, large enough to accommodate it when full grown.
Wooden cages are porous and while they may be good for maintaining temperature and humidity, a better cage material might be something that can be washed and disinfected.
Specialty cages are available that are made of plastics or Plexiglas. These look pretty and can be kept clean, and are safe.
Air circulation is important to the well-being of any reptile, so part of the cage should be wire mesh, although this can cause abrasions on the rostrum from nose rubbing along the cage walls, Stout plastic mesh may be better. Be careful if using an aquarium for while they are easy to clean, there can be a problem with the ventilation.
Reptiles are the world's best escape artists, so an escape-proof cage is an absolute must. Otherwise you will scare elderly relatives rigid when they find your pet snake in their bed!
Do not rely on heat rocks to provide adequate warmth in the cage. The rocks cannot heat the air of the cage.
It is important that a heat lamp be provided, but it should be placed in a position so that your pet can bask in the warmth if needed, but it can also move to a cooler part of the cage at will.
The source of the heat depends on the reptile. Those reptiles from warm or tropical climates do best with under-the-cage heat pads (which are specially made for the tanks.) Basking reptiles like heat coming from above.
It is a good idea to have a thermometer in the cage to provide the gradients of temperature that they like. Heat tapes are also available and work well.
A 60-watt bulb is sufficient to provide warmth for basking, but full-spectrum lights are needed for the health of the reptile. These can be purchased in pet shops.
Research what your particular reptile requires in its environment, such as a hide box, branches and plants. Some reptiles drink readily from water bowls, but others will only lap from water on leaves or petals.
When choosing your new pet, pick the one that is the most active and brightest colored. Ask when it last ate, shed its skin and anything else that the dealer can tell you.
Remember that newborn reptiles, or the very young are much more difficult to raise successfully. It is probably a good idea to take your new reptile to a veterinarian soon after purchase so that it can be checked for both internal and external parasites. If these are present the pet may fail to thrive or even die, so the veterinarian fee is money well spent.
Finally, join a local herpetological club preferably before acquiring your new pet. Herpetologists study reptiles, and local clubs are one of the best places for obtaining correct and up-to-date information. In this area, the local club is the Blue Ridge Herpetological Society, most of whose members seem to be based near Roanoke and Lynchburg. Much information can also be gleaned from specialist magazines e.g. "Reptile and Amphibian", "The Vivarium", and "Reptiles."
If you have a question for Jill Bowen, please write to her in care of the New River Current, P.O. Box 540, Christiansburg, Va. 24073 or send e-mail to newriver@infi.net.
LENGTH: Medium: 87 linesby CNB