Each reptile species has specific care needs so do a lot of research before committing to a reptile as a pet. Look at the reptile’s diet. Some reptiles are strictly herbivores but need a good mix of vegetables and fruits to meet their nutritional needs. Other reptiles eat live or dead animals such as crickets, mealworms or even live mice. Consider your feelings on feeding your reptile these foods before you bring one home. Learn about life span and size since you will need to accommodate your pet reptile in an appropriate enclosure. Reptiles are cold blooded so you will need to control the temperature and humidity in your pet’s environment with lighting and heat lamps for both daytime and nighttime. Some reptiles like to be handled while others don’t. Think about the other humans in your household since some people are fearful of reptiles. For more information, contact your Scottsdale, AZ veterinarian.