Red-eared slider (turtle)
Toonie-size when young, but grows to size of a dinner plate; $25 to $35; can live for more than 20 years; commonly left in shelters.
Leopard gecko
Six to nine inches long when fully grown; $50 to $3,000, depending on colour and origin; eats live crickets, mealworms, moths; safer and cleaner to handle than many reptiles; can live 10 to 15 years in captivity.
Bearded dragon
Can be 18 to 23 inches long when fully grown; $70 to $150; eats vegetables and insects; can live an average of 15 years in captivity.
Uromastyx
Twelve to 30 inches long when fully-grown, depending on species; $130 to $150; eats mostly veggies; life span estimated to be as long as 50 years.
Green iguana
Can be six and a half feet when fully grown; $50 to $60; often refuses to eat prepared food, so you have to make a mix of veggies and fruit; life span of 20 years in the wild, but just 10 in captivity; commonly left in shelters. – James Doyle
Reptiles – Buyer beware
Buying a reptile should be a carefully considered decision. A happy, healthy life for your scaly friend means knowing the facts – including its habitat requirements, life span, diet, health concerns and more – before you buy. "Everyone should do their research," says Dr. Heather McDonald, a vet with the Centennial Animal Hospital in Winnipeg. Sadly, not enough reptile owners do. "Ninety per cent of the health problems for the reptiles I see are from improper [care]," says McDonald, such as owners not having the proper UV lights, temperature or humidity settings, or heat tanks.
What's more, if you're thinking of buying a reptile, be aware of potential health risks. Reptiles are often carriers of zoonoses (diseases transmitted from animals to people), including salmonella (prevalent in turtles and geckos, and very hard to test for), campylobacter, E. coli and parasites such as tapeworms. If you have a reptile, or are still keen on getting one, McDonald recommends careful handling, and washing your hands after contact with the pet.
These health concerns may make you think twice about buying a scaly friend for your child, which is wise because McDonald says "a reptile may not be the best pet for a household with kids." For instance, while easy to hold, leopard geckos are easily injured by hasty young hands, and iguanas can scratch or deliver a nasty bite to handlers who aren't careful and respectful. If you have children who want a reptile, consider getting a snake; corn snakes are common pets that are good with kids, says McDonald. – James Doyle
Remember
Pet ownership is for life – and with reptiles that can be a long time. Depending on what species you choose, your pet could live up to 50 years, and end up being six feet long. As reptiles grow, so do the costs for food, housing and equipment.
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| This story was originally titled "Get a Little Critter-Crazy on the Home Front" in the September 2009 issue. Subscribe to Canadian Living today and never miss an issue! |
