Best reptiles for beginner keepers
So you’ve decided it’s time to bring a pet reptile into your home. But which one do you choose? Today we’re going to be digging into the five reptiles that are amazing for beginner reptile keepers.
Three quick disclaimers before we dive in:
A “beginner reptile” feels like a negative thing to me. That’s why I was hesitant to cover this topic because people often use beginner reptiles to help them learn more about reptile keeping. And then they rehome that reptile. This is not what I’m hoping to accomplish with this post. The truth is, you can start with any reptile you want, provided that you do the research. You need to be committed to providing the right care. That means taking your time. That means not impulse-buying a chamaeleon whenever you step into the pet store. Do the hard work to get the experience that you can, either by working with another keeper or even a rescue. That said, you’re going to have to do the same thing with the species that we talk about today. The same level of care still applies. The difference between these five and other species is that they’re a little bit heartier, easier to tame, and you're not going to get hurt by any of them. So yeah, sorry, but I’m not going to be recommending anything venomous or crocodilian ;)
These are my opinions. You may hear different opinions from other people based off of their experiences, and that’s okay! Everyone has a pet that will be better suited to their likes. As a pet owner, you have to be willing to invest the proper time into research and hands-on time with reptiles to learn what works best for you before making that decision.
This is in no way, shape, or form a care guide. And I’m not going to tell you that these are going to be “easy” pets. These are beginner reptiles because they aren’t going to parish immediately if you make a simple mistake and correct it right away.
Now let’s dig in!
Leopard Gecko
This one is usually the one to be recommended by most people and for good reason. Leopard geckos are smaller lizards which make them ideal for someone who doesn’t have a huge amount of space to offer in their home for a reptile. The smaller the reptile is, the smaller the required enclosure because these guys are moderate activity-level lizards. They’re not running around or climbing with uncontained levels of energy. They live life on the slower side. I typically recommend a 40 gallon breeder for a leopard gecko. The minimum enclosure size is about 20 gallons long. But 40 gallons are amazing for leopard geckos.
They’re also easier to tame. They tolerate handling very well and are generally friendly little critters. Even if you happen to adopt one that doesn’t enjoy being handled, no worries. Their teeth are similar to Velcro so there’s no need to worry about being bitten. More often than not though, you’re not even going to experience that. Leopard geckos are super tolerant, super chill animals.
They also don’t require elaborate lighting to maintain their health like some species require, A major plus because the lighting can be a bit confusing, especially for a beginner.
Leopard geckos are also amazing eaters. No need to worry about hunger strikes with these guys. You offer them insects (by the way, these are very easy to obtain at your local pet store or online) and they’ll eat it.
You: “Uh, why would I be worried about whether it eats??”
Me: *laughs in ball python owner*
Yeah, we’ll talk about that in a little bit…
Crested Gecko
Like leopard geckos, crested geckos are smaller lizards that are super adorable. They’re smaller which means they don’t require massive enclosures. However, unlike a leopard gecko that’s going to be in a long, wide enclosure because they’re terrestrial, crested geckos require tall enclosures because they are boreal. They do a lot of climbing.
One of the reasons I recommend crested geckos is they actually don’t require any live prey in their diet. If you don’t like bugs but still want a reptile, a crested gecko would work well for you because their food is literally a powder mixed with water to match the consistency of baby food which they then lick out of a bowl. You can offer them bugs and I often do recommend offering bugs a couple of times a week to provide enrichment and variety in their diet, but if bugs aren’t your thing, you totally don’t have to.
Corn Snakes
Many people often feel nervous about getting a snake because snakes are often perceived as spooky animals. But corn snakes are so fun! Generally docile snakes, they tolerate handling well, however, be careful—they are fast. I still recommend them for beginners, though, because as long as you’re handling and watching your snake, you don’t have to worry about them sneaking away.
They are also pro eaters. While snakes can be rather picky with their food, corn snakes are not. If you make sure to provide the right temperature and the right environment (again, research is important here), they are going to eat well for you.
Ball python
This pick is rather controversial.
A lot of people do not recommend ball pythons for beginners because they are notoriously known for being picky eaters. If you’re a beginner keeper and your snake is not eating, it can cause you a great deal of stress. That said, I think that the pros of the ball python far outweigh the cons. They are very docile, sweet, gentle—the list could go on. There’s always that odd one that isn’t super friendly as with any species, but for the most part, ball pythons are like the golden retriever of the snake world. When they’re scared, they do exactly what their name says and ball up as their first inclination is going to be to hide. But they’re easy to tame and their care requirements are simple.
In my experience, the hardest thing about caring for a ball python is the humidity. They require a higher humidity level which can be harder to obtain in a glass enclosure which is what most people want to use. They tend to choose glass enclosures so they can view their animal. And while glass tanks make this hard to achieve, it’s not impossible. *1
My very first snake as an adult was a ball python, and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. I wouldn’t change a thing.
Bearded Dragons
I was hesitant to include this one. I think people mistake a beginner pet = absolutely low/no maintenance. That’s not the case. But I decided to add bearded dragons because I do think they’re great pets. I think they provide a great experience as reptiles in general.
The reason I hesitated to put bearded dragons on the list is because they do require a lot of space. The US minimum enclosure size for a bearded dragon is a 40 gallon breeder, but I never recommend that. I think, at bare minimum, a bearded dragon should be in a 75 gallon enclosure, or more. My recommendation is a 4‘ x 2‘ x 2‘ enclosure because your bearded dragon will use every. single. inch. of that space. Unlike leopard and crested geckos, they like to explore and climb and move.
Not only do they require a large enclosure, they also need:
a UVB bulb
specific temperatures
a basking area.
And the temperatures vary a bit based on their age. That said, those temperatures are not difficult to maintain once you get the set-up right. The initial investment can be daunting, but it is absolutely worth it. Bearded dragons are super friendly. When mine, Bumble and Q, see me in the morning, they both come up to the doors of their enclosure and wait for me to open it up and crawl right out. They seem to enjoy interaction more than other reptiles that may just tolerate it.
They’re also super inquisitive which I find to be such an appealing trait in reptiles. You know those dog balls with the treats inside? The ones where, if the dog plays with it enough, a treat will fall out? I have a ball similar to this but instead of milk bones, I put bugs inside and they’ll chase it around, collecting the bugs as they fall out. They love it!
Bearded dragons are great for people who want to be able to have a reptile that they can interact with more. You can take yours out and they’ll sit with you. Mine will chill on my shoulder or on my desk while I’m working and they love it.
They do require a lot of investment of time in the beginning. You have to be willing to set up the enclosure, the lighting, and the correct temperatures. And that is a bit more work than other reptiles in the beginning stage.
Another difference for bearded dragons versus all the other animals previously mentioned is their diet. They eat salads every day, specific salads. You can’t just throw iceberg lettuce into their enclosure and expect a healthy (or happy) beardie. Their specific diet requires a mix of vegetation and protein, which would be insects.
While there’s a lot of work involved with setting a bearded dragon up, they are great for people who want a lizard or reptile that is easy to handle and that’s going to be okay with frequent handling because they do seem to enjoy it.
All of the reptiles I’ve shared today are great for beginners and for experienced keepers alike. I’ve had reptiles for a long time now and I can tell you, I still enjoy every single one of those species.
Maybe the reptile you’re dreaming of isn’t on the list, and that’s okay. Go do the research and connect with experienced keepers and breeders (reputable breeders) to get their input. Learn everything you can before bringing that species home. Truly, regardless of the species, you have to do the work. You have to do the research. The animals I showed today, however, are going to be a little bit easier to learn about. They’re more straightforward in their care.
So tell me, are you interested in any of the five we talked about today? Or do you have something else in mind? Leave a comment below. Also, let me know if you’d like care guides for any of these reptiles. And if you’re wondering if reptiles are really for you, check out *2why reptiles are kiiind of the superior pet ;)
