Believe it or not, there is such a thing as a low-maintenance pet. But you won’t find it in dogs, cats, or other mainstream animal companions. The easiest pets to care for will likely be those found in the exotic pet trade: reptiles. Snakes, lizards, turtles, and tortoises are not at all like other pets. These cold-blooded animals are very independent and surprisingly easy to take care of as pets. People whose schedules are too busy or don’t work out regularly to care for a cat, dog, or bird should get a reptile. If this sounds like you, here are five easy reptiles to get and take care of.
Reptiles can make fascinating pets, with their exotic appearances and behaviors that are so different from traditional cats and dogs. However caring for reptiles does require some specialized knowledge. Certain species are better suited for beginners needing only basic habitat setups and care routines.
If you’re new to reptile keeping, consider starting with one of these 7 easiest reptiles recommended for first-time owners. They are hardy readily available and relatively simple to maintain even with limited experience.
1. Leopard Geckos
The leopard gecko ranks as one of the most popular reptile pets. These timid lizards reach about 8-10 inches long at maturity. Their simple care makes them an ideal starter reptile.
- Diet: Crickets, mealworms, waxworms.
- Habitat: 10-20 gallon terrarium with hiding spots.
- Temps: Warm side 88-92°F, cool side 70-75°F.
- Handling: Easy to handle once accustomed.
Leopard geckos only require small insects and a basic terrarium setup. Their calm nature allows gentle handling once they adjust to their new owner. These long-lived geckos can thrive for up to 20 years with proper care.
2. Bearded Dragons
Another favorite lizard species is the bearded dragon. Their gentle personality coupled with an animated appearance has made them hugely popular pets in recent years.
- Diet: Insects, leafy greens, veggies, fruit.
- Habitat: 75+ gallon tank with basking area.
- Temps: Basking 105°F, ambient 80-90°F.
- Handling: Enjoy being handled.
Bearded dragons eat a varied diet including live insects. They do need a large, warm habitat but bearded dragons actively enjoy human interaction. Their inquisitive nature and sturdy build allow frequent handling.
3. Ball Pythons
For those interested in snakes, ball pythons are a premier choice for beginners. These heavy-bodied constrictors rarely exceed 5 feet long. Ball pythons move slowly and seldom bite when handled.
- Diet: Mice, rats.
- Habitat: 30-50 gallon enclosure with hiding spots.
- Temps: Warm side 88-92°F, cool side 75-80°F.
- Handling: Tolerate handling well.
Ball pythons aren’t too demanding in their care needs. They eat commercially available rodents and enjoy a simple habitat. Their incredibly docile temperament allows them to be frequently handled once accustomed to their keeper.
4. Crested Geckos
The uniquely charming crested gecko also ranks as one of the best reptile pets for novices. These small geckos have playful personalities and simple care requirements.
- Diet: Prepared crested gecko diet.
- Habitat: Arboreal setup, minimum 20 gallons.
- Temps: 70-80°F ambient temperature range.
- Handling: Handle gently and infrequently.
Crested geckos eat convenient complete diets sold for them commercially. They thrive at room temperature so no special heating is needed. Limit handling with these sensitive lizards to avoid stressing them.
5. Russian Tortoises
For those seeking a reptile pet that doesn’t require live insects, the Russian tortoise is a top choice. These engaging tortoises remain fairly small and are hardy when properly housed.
- Diet: Leafy greens, vegetables, hay.
- Habitat: Large enclosure with deep substrate.
- Temps: 85°F basking area, 70-80°F ambient.
- Handling: Infrequent handling recommended.
Russian tortoises are primarily herbivores, eating veggies, greens, and grasses. Give them an enclosure mimicking their natural habitat. Minimal handling prevents undue stress to these sensitive reptiles.
6. Corn Snakes
No list of starter reptiles is complete without mention of the corn snake. Their mellow temperament coupled with modest care needs makes corn snakes the most popular pet snakes worldwide.
- Diet: Mice, small adult rats.
- Habitat: 20+ gallon enclosure with hides.
- Temps: 78-88°F warm side, 70-75°F cool side.
- Handling: Tolerates frequent gentle handling.
Corn snakes thrive on easily acquired rodents. A simple heat gradient and some hiding spots meet their habitat needs. They become quite tame and make excellent handling snakes for all ages.
7. Green Anoles
Finally, the petite green anole makes an ideal small reptile pet. These active lizards display intriguing behaviors and are simple enough for children to help care for.
- Diet: Pinhead crickets, small mealworms.
- Habitat: 10+ gallon terrarium with climbing accessories.
- Temps: 78-88°F ambient temperature range.
- Handling: Difficult, fast moving.
Green anoles eat tiny insects. Give them an arboreal setup with branches and vines to climb. Limit handling, as they are delicate and speedy. Anoles are better admired than handled regularly.
Do Your Research Before Bringing Home a Reptile
While this list covers some of the easiest reptiles to care for, every species still has specific needs. Never impulse purchase a reptile pet. Do extensive research to ensure you can offer proper housing and diet. When in doubt, consult with an exotic pet veterinarian. With good preparation, reptiles can make very rewarding companion animals.
The Easiest Reptiles To Take Care Of (For Beginners)
The champion of beginner-friendly reptile pets, the corn snake is meek, mild, and stunning. The fiery red and orange spots on their bodies may make them look scary, but they’re actually very calm and safe. Moving them around for transport, feeding, or cleaning is a task that will cause minimal fuss and hassle.
Corn snakes are a type of rat snake. They have thin bodies and can get quite long, up to 4 feet. They’re a very manageable species when it comes to handling and another reason why they’re perfect for beginners. However, this is a handy characteristic when it comes to providing accommodations for your snake. Smaller snakes take up less space in your home, and an adult corn snake only needs a 40-gallon fish tank.
Native to North America, corn snakes are hardy and adapt easily to a variety of climates. That means they don’t mind if you mess up your reptile’s tank a few times before you get it right.
Slow and steady, tortoises might not be what first comes to mind when it comes to “easy” pets. This group of reptiles is known for being pretty big, but the Greek tortoise, which grows to be about 6 to 8 inches long, is much smaller. Size isn’t an issue with this species. Owners are left to enjoy a sweet, mild, and intelligent reptile. Tortoises are one of the few reptile species that are affectionate towards their owners. They are known to follow their humans around wanting to play or looking for food.
Feeding pets is often the biggest hassle of pet ownership. Not so with tortoises! These gentle giants don’t eat meat, so you can feed them the scraps from your shopping trip to the farmer’s market. No need to deal with bugs or dead rodents. However, bear in mind that your tortoises will need quite a bit of produce to sate their appetite. As a general rule, you should give them food five days a week that is equal to the size of their shell.
Tiny and cute, the leopard gecko is one of the most popular pet reptiles for beginners. In addition to being adorable, these spotted little lizards are remarkably low maintenance. Native to the dry climates of Southwestern Asia, leopard geckos prefer semi-arid environments. This allows tank set up to be relatively easy with minimal fuss over humidity and straightforward heating requirements.
Further, this gecko species is unique in that they don’t have sticky toe pads. This means they don’t like to climb, so owners don’t have to worry about getting a really tall tank for them or their lizard trying to get out.
The leopard gecko personality is as sparkling as its appearance. Docile and tame, they’re well-suited for beginners and experts alike. They rarely raise a fuss about being handled or fed. Most of the time, they talk with their tails, but sometimes they make noises with chirps and squeaks, which isn’t common for reptiles. This is helpful because leopard gecko owners can see how their animals are feeling, which doesn’t happen very often.
No list of the easiest reptiles to take care of would be complete without mentioning this fan favorite. The bearded dragon is the most well-known lizard, even if it’s not the biggest. One of the larger beginner-friendly lizards, bearded dragons grow to be around two feet long. They’re rather sedentary creatures so they don’t need much by way of space. And since bearded dragons come from the hot deserts of Australia, they simply like things hot and dry.
Bearded dragons also have winning temperaments and above-average intelligence. Beardies can learn tricks, bond with their owners, and even recognize other people and animals because of this. Most other pet reptiles can’t do these things. They boast superior sociability that makes them really fun to own no matter a person’s experience level.
The ball python is the most popular snake you can keep as a pet. It is easy to train and take care of. Balls are naturally non-aggressive that prefer to hide rather than confront a threat. You’ll never have to worry about an unpleasant interaction with these sweet serpents. Ball pythons are moderately sized. They rarely grow more than five feet in length (the males are positively teeny, averaging between 3-4 feet). They can be housed in standard reptile tanks without taking up much room.
One of the more social snake species, these have a greater tolerance for handling–up to a daily basis. These snakes do well with humans due to multiple decades of captive breeding. Reptiles are technically considered exotic pets as they are not (yet) domesticated like dogs, cats, horses, or cows. But ball pythons are one of the closest things to a domesticated reptile. They are extremely comfortable around humans, and that is why they’re ideal for first-time snake handlers.
In terms of actual pet care itself, ball pythons are easy as pie. These snakes are native to the sub-Saharan deserts of West Africa. As primarily terrestrial (ground-dwelling) snakes, they’re not much for climbing and means their tank decor is wonderfully simple. The humidity should be about 65%, and the temperature should be warm with little difference between the warm, cool, and swimming areas.
The 5 EASIEST Reptiles ANYONE Can Care For!
FAQ
Which reptile for beginners?
What is the most handleable reptile?
What is the easiest lizard to have as a pet?