Rookie Reptiles: Four Reptiles for Beginners

And we’re not just talking dogs and cats either. While you may never cuddle with a leopard gecko, corn snake, ball python or bearded dragon, these reptiles can be affectionate too.

For one thing, they have a friendly nature that welcomes human interaction i.e., handling. Secondly, their docile personalities make them great pets for beginner reptile owners and (with some guidance) kids as well.

To help you decide what reptile may be best for you, we’ve spelled out the basics for each as a pet.

Care Level: Easy peasy. Their personalities are pretty laid back.

Lifespan & Size: Anywhere from 7 to 20 years. Can reach lengths of 6 to 10 inches.

Habitat Needs: A 10-gallon tank for a juvenile leopard gecko (i.e., under 1 year old). At least a 20-gallon tank for an adult (i.e., 1 year or older). As for substrates, we suggest aspen bedding, coconut fiber, sphagnum, terrarium moss, reptile carpet and stone desert. In general, what’s good for a leopard gecko habitat setup is good for other reptile habitats.

Terrarium Conditions: The warmest part of their enclosure needs to be between 85° and 90° F. The coolest part, 75° F. Humidity levels should be between 60 and 70%. During the summer, they need 14 hours of light and 10 hours of darkness. In the winter, 12 hours of both light and darkness.

Popular Names: Leo, Tiger, Zilly, Bella, Raptor, Rex, Ash, Spots.

Diet: Juveniles need to eat once every 1 or 2 days. Adults need to eat 2 to 3 times a week. Feed them live insects like crickets, roaches, wax worms and mealworms.

FYI: While it’s not exactly barking, leopard geckos do “talk” by chirping, clicking and shaking their tails. In fact, they’ll do all this to let you know they’re hungry.

Care Level: Easy peasy. Somewhat active, lively and yes, non-venomous.

Lifespan & Size: About 10 years. Can grow anywhere from 2.5 feet to 5 feet long.

Habitat Needs: At least a 20-gallon glass tank for 1 corn snake. As for substrates, go with a shredded aspen or reptile carpeting. Do not use pine or cedar substrates with snakes because they’ll irritate their skin.

Terrarium Conditions: The warmest part of their enclosure should be 85° F, the coolest part 75° F, with humidity levels between 40 and 50%. Give them 8 to 12 hours of light and 8 to 12 hours of darkness.

Popular Names: Izzy, Willow, Snape, Fang, Ace, Link, Dolly, Slider.

Diet: Frozen, thawed mice or rats every 4 to 10 days. During the winter, it’s normal for corn snakes to eat less often.

FYI: If a corn snake feels threatened by a predator, they’ll vibrate their tails against the ground. This scares off predators by creating a rattling sound like that of a rattlesnake.

Care Level: Medium easy. Very sociable and curious, i.e., let them out of their enclosure every so often for some “explore time.” Also, non-venomous.

Lifespan & Size: 20 to 30 years. Female ball pythons can get up to 5-feet long, males 3-feet long.

Habitat Needs: At least a 20-gallon glass tank for 1 baby/juvenile (under 3 years of age) and 40-gallon tank for 1 adult (3 years or older). Go with shredded aspen bedding or cypress substrates. Avoid pine or cedar substrates because they’re toxic to snakes.

Terrarium Conditions: Keep the enclosure’s temperature between 85° to 90° F, with the warmest spot being around 90° F and the coolest 75° F. Humidity levels should be between 50 and 60%. They also need 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness every day.

Popular Names: Noodle, Queenie, Slinky, Sadie, Winnie, Zeke, Billie, Rusty.

Diet: Frozen, thawed mice or rats. Feed younger ball pythons every 5 days, adults once every 7 to 10 days. They can be fussy at first with prey they don’t capture themselves, so be patient. They’ll come around.

FYI: During the winter months, ball pythons will hibernate (called brumation) and may only eat once a month or nothing at all. Don’t panic. This is normal. Once they stop hibernating, they’ll return to their regular eating schedule.

Care Level: Medium easy. Outgoing and entertaining, i.e., the life of the party. Not hard to tame.

Lifespan & Size: About 4 to 10 years. Can grow to be 14 to 22 inches long.

Habitat Needs: At least a 40-gallon glass tank for 1 bearded dragon. The best substrates for them are aspen bedding, stone desert substrate or reptile carpet.

Terrarium Conditions: The overall temperature of their enclosure should be between 78° and 90° F. The hottest spot should be 95° to 100° F, while the coolest spot 68° F. Humidity levels need to be around 35 to 40%. They must have at least 8 to 12 hours of light per day.

Popular Names: Apollo, Sheldon, Lucy, Ruby, Dino, Spike, Frankie, Banjo.

Diet: For an adult bearded dragon (1 year or older), their daily diet needs to be 50 to 60% plants while the rest needs to be proteins (i.e., insects). Juveniles (less than 1 year old) should have more insects than plants and need to eat 3 times a day. Commercial food pellets can also be another protein source.

FYI: Bearded dragons have a parietal eye (a photoreceptive gland) on their skull between their eyes. This “third eye” can see shadows and lights. They also “speak” using their beards, head bobs and even by waving.