Choosing your first reptile: Some species to look for

Reptiles are easier to keep than ever, with special equipment available in almost any pet store. This ease of entry, however, means that beginners can end up in over their head.

There are species that provide a rewarding introduction to these fascinating creatures. There are others to steer away from.

A primer:

LIZARDS

The leopard gecko is a cute little lizard that’s easy to care for. These desert natives don’t need extra humidity except when shedding, but also don’t need much extra heat; just provide a heated basking area.

Leopard geckos eat live insects that are readily available, such as crickets, mealworms and waxworms. “Pretty much any pet store is going to have those,” says Bonnie Keller, who has over 19 years’ experience in pet reptile rescue.

You won’t need the special UVB light bulbs that many species require. “Leopard geckos are nocturnal, so don’t need synthetic sunlight,” says Jesse Rothacker. His rescue, Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary, often takes in animals that are unhealthy due to improper lighting, so it’s good to start with a species where that’s not an issue.

Finally, leopard geckos are captive bred. Avoid buying wild caught reptiles both for conservation reasons and because they’re less likely to have diseases and parasites.

SNAKES

Corn snakes are great for beginners. Native to the U.S., they’re suited to our environment.

“It’s a very hardy snake, and it’s a snake that’s friendly for handling,” says Rothacker.

Widely bred for the pet trade, they come in a range of colors. “If you want a pink snake, you can get a pink corn snake,” says Keller.

Feeding is easy, if you can get over the ick factor: Snakes need to eat whole prey. This is non-negotiable.

“There is no Purina snake chow,” says Keller. “There are no vegetarian snakes.”

You can buy frozen mice at a pet store. Thaw them in a cup of warm water — snakes prefer their food warm — and you’re ready to go.

TURTLES AND TORTOISES

Even the reptile-wary tend to like turtles, but Keller is blunt: “They’re cute and they have a lot of personality, but they’re a terrible pet.”

Water turtles need a large tank with good filtering and frequent water changes. Avoid red-eared sliders, which are sold inexpensively as babies — and frequently get dumped on rescues.

“It’s not a bad pet if you understand that you need to spend a thousand dollars for

FORGOTTENFRIEND.ORG VIA AP This photo provided by ForgottenFriend.org shows Jesse Rothacker posing with his sulcata tortoise named Abraham. Small young sulcata tortoises are common in the pet trade, but should be avoided because of how big they get: it’s the third largest tortoise species in the world.