Banfield Pet Hospital

All reptiles are cold-blooded, which doesn’t mean that their blood is cold, but they are ectothermic, which means they get their body heat from external sources. Unlike mammals, reptiles cannot regulate their body temperature internally. This means that you must provide an environment where your reptile pet can warm him or herself.

There are four main types of reptiles: carnivores, omnivores, insectivores, and herbivores. Each of these classifications requires different feeding methods and diets: reptCarnivore, Omnivore, Insectivore and Herbivore.

Certain reptile species enjoy being handled and out of their cage more than others. Even within the species, each animal is an individual, so your pet’s preferences will be unique. When first bringing a pet home, give it time to get used to its new environment.

Some reptiles are smarter than others. Rather than tricks, most reptiles can learn to associate a cause with an effect.

All reptiles shed their skin, referred to as ecdysis, and how often depend on a lot of things; species and age are two contributing factors. Snakes shed or "slough" their skin in one piece, as opposed to lizards, which do so in pieces.