The Banfield Pet Hospital I work out of is located on the south side of Chicago – not a place where you expect desert dwelling lizards to thrive, but they do. The Chicago Herpetological Society is one of the biggest in the nation, and many reptile owners frequently bring their pets to see me.
The most important aspect of keeping reptilian pets healthy is to remember that they have been taken out of their natural habitat to be placed in a captive one, and if we can replicate the natural habitat to the best of our ability, then the chances of them staying healthy are exponentially increased.
Contrasting the ever-changing weather of Chicago with the relatively constant and stable environment most of these reptilian species are from reveals that diet, temperature, humidity and light are the most important factors in ensuring that they stay healthy. Let’s go through each of those factors one by one.
Diet
Some reptiles eat insects, some eat vegetables/fruits and some eat a bit of everything. It’s important to do your research and talk with your vet to ensure you are feeding your reptile a correct and nutritionally balanced diet.
Temperature
Each reptilian species has its own optimal temperature range, and ensuring that the tank’s maximum (hot end) and minimum (cold end) temperatures match the optimal temperature range for the particular species is important.
Humidity
Desert species do not like a humid climate, and tropical species do not like a dry climate. Make sure you’re aware of your reptile’s natural habitat so you can simulate the appropriate conditions at home.
Light
Being in a tank means that the UV portion of any natural light that gets into the tank is filtered. Almost all reptilian species require both UVA and UVB light– the former for appetite stimulation and the latter for vitamin D production– so it is important to provide a full-spectrum UV light. However, too much light can also cause them to forget about the natural day/night cycle, so they need to spend approximately half their time in light and half in darkness. In other words, remember to turn off the lights.
I personally chose to move to Chicago because of the ever-changing weather, but many reptilian pets do not share the same view. Therefore, unless you are lucky enough to be living in a place where the weather never changes, remember to create an environment for your reptilian friend so that he/she can enjoy that luxury.