While lizards, snakes, and turtles may not win the award for “Cuddliest Animal of the Year,” they’re certainly shoo-ins for “Coolest Pets of All Time. Whether you’re just starting out on your herp journey, or you’ve been a reptile owner for decades, here are our top picks for reptiles that are easy to love and easy to take care of.
CRESTED GECKO
The bi-hawked punk rocker of the reptile world, the crested gecko just looks so…cool. Beyond its hardcore style, it’s super low-maintenance as far as reptile care goes. Their natural habitat is arboreal (tree-dwelling), so you’ll need a minimum 20-gallon vertical tank for them to climb in. They don’t absolutely require UVB lighting, but they do benefit from it. They do require humidity, which live plants can help maintain. As omnivores, they’re easy to feed because they eat fruit and insects, but they don’t require live feeders, just a protein-enriched gecko diet supplement (we love Pangea). You can also add protein by crushing up our dried BSFL and adding it to the diet supplement. They’re also super chill (juveniles can be a bit skittish), and live up to 20 years.
BEARDED DRAGON
Bearded dragons are popular in part because they have big personalities and love to hang out with their humans. If handled properly and frequently, they like baths, toys, and perching atop your shoulder as you watch TV or work on your laptop. Their name comes from the pouch under their chin that puffs up when they’re feeling aggressive or trying to impress a mate. These scaly lizards can grow up to 20 inches from nose to tail, so they need a pretty spacious home. Since they’re desert creatures, they’re active during the day and love basking in the sun, so you’ll need strong UVB lighting and a nice warm basking spot. This means they’ll use more electricity than smaller, nocturnal critters. Beardies love leafy greens, a little fruit, and live feeders, such as BSFL and dubia roaches.
CORN SNAKE
No, it’s not a vegetarian. The corn snake is named for the kernel-looking scales on its belly. They are bright patterned creatures that are non-venomous and respond well to being handled. They spend a lot of time coiled up and hiding but are most active at dawn, dusk, and at night. They are easy to feed because adults only require thawed frozen mice every 7 to 10 days. They need a minimum size tank of 20 gallons. They can grow up to 5 feet in length, and like most reptiles, will require a larger enclosure as they get bigger.
LEOPARD GECKO
Another gecko for the win! You can probably guess why it’s called a leopard gecko. These reptiles are loved for their vibrant colors, gorgeous markings, and their big-eyed, sweet-looking faces. They’re curious creatures that love to explore their surroundings. Once their habitat is set up with the proper lighting and heating, they’re pretty low maintenance. They're super clean, almost silent, and extremely easygoing. They’re insectivores, so all they eat is insects, but they benefit from a variety so they get nutrients from multiple protein sources. Bugs like BSFL, hornworms, silkworms, and dubia roaches are like nectar and ambrosia to a leopard gecko.
RUSSIAN TORTOISE
Most of the reptiles we’ve mentioned so far live quite a long time, between 10 to 20 years, and that should be taken into consideration when adopting a new pet. But tortoises are known for living a really, really long time, and the Russian tortoise is no exception. However, if you can commit to decades (and decades…) of care, it’s an easy-to-care for pet and fun to have around (if sleeping a lot and slowly walking around is your idea of fun). Adults can get up to 10 inches in length and need an enclosure with plenty of room to roam around. However, they can live quite happily in the right backyard, hibernating during the winter and soaking up the natural UV rays of the sun. They’re herbivores and enjoy a varied diet that includes leafy greens, vegetables like squash, corn, peppers, carrots and sweet potatoes, and a little bit of fruit. Once you’ve gotten to know a Russian tortoise, you’ll realize he’s one shell-of-a-guy.
To Always Keep in Mind
With any pet, you should always do your due diligence when researching its unique environmental and dietary needs. No two reptile species are exactly alike, and their well-being depends on how knowledgeable you are. We also recommend researching where you’ll be purchasing your pet to ensure you’re getting it from a reputable breeder or pet store. And we always recommend adopting a rescue animal, if possible.
HAPPY HERPING!