15 Best Reptile Pets for Beginners

Reptiles can make fascinating and relatively low-maintenance pets, making them an excellent choice for beginners. However, not all reptiles are suitable for novice keepers due to specific care requirements or temperamental issues.

In this detailed guide, we’ll explore the 15 best reptile pets for beginners, highlighting their care needs, temperament, and why they make great first-time pets.

1. Leopard Gecko

Overview

Leopard geckos are one of the most popular reptile pets for beginners. They are small, easy to care for, and have a docile nature. Originating from the deserts of Asia, they are well-suited to life in captivity.

Care Requirements

Enclosure: A 20-gallon tank is sufficient for a single adult. Ensure it has a secure lid to prevent escape.
Substrate: Use reptile carpet, paper towels, or tile. Avoid loose substrates like sand to prevent impaction.
Heating and Lighting: Provide an under-tank heater and a basking light to maintain temperatures between 88-92°F during the day and around 75°F at night. No special UVB lighting is required, but a low-level UVB light can be beneficial.
Diet: Feed a diet of insects like crickets, mealworms, and dubia roaches. Dust insects with calcium and vitamin supplements regularly.

Temperament

Leopard geckos are generally calm and tolerate handling well, making them ideal for beginners. They are also relatively hardy and have few health issues when properly cared for.

2. Corn Snake

Overview

Corn snakes are a favorite among snake enthusiasts due to their manageable size, easy care, and gentle disposition. These North American natives are excellent escape artists, so secure enclosures are a must.

Care Requirements

Enclosure: A 20-40 gallon tank is suitable for an adult corn snake. Ensure the enclosure has a tight-fitting lid.
Substrate: Aspen shavings, cypress mulch, or reptile carpet work well.
Heating and Lighting: Provide a heat gradient with a basking spot around 85°F and a cooler side around 75°F. Nighttime temperatures can drop to around 70°F. UVB lighting is not necessary but can be used if desired.
Diet: Feed appropriately-sized mice or rats. Juveniles may require feeding every 5-7 days, while adults can be fed every 7-10 days.

Temperament

Corn snakes are known for their calm nature and rarely bite. They are also relatively easy to handle, making them perfect for beginners. With proper care, they can live for 15-20 years.

3. Bearded Dragon

Overview

Bearded dragons are friendly, hardy, and relatively easy to care for, making them a top choice for novice reptile keepers. Native to Australia, they are known for their distinctive “beard” and sociable nature.

Care Requirements

Enclosure: A 40-gallon tank is the minimum size for an adult bearded dragon, though larger is better.
Substrate: Use reptile carpet, tile, or paper towels. Avoid loose substrates like sand.
Heating and Lighting: Provide a basking spot of 95-110°F and a cool side around 75-85°F. UVB lighting is essential for their health.
Diet: Bearded dragons are omnivores. Offer a mix of vegetables, fruits, and insects like crickets, mealworms, and dubia roaches. Juveniles need more protein, while adults require more vegetables.

Temperament

Bearded dragons are known for their calm and friendly demeanor. They enjoy interacting with their owners and can be handled frequently. With proper care, they can live for 10-15 years.

4. Ball Python

Overview

Ball pythons are another excellent choice for beginners due to their manageable size and docile nature. These African natives are known for curling into a ball when stressed or frightened, hence their name.

Care Requirements

Enclosure: A 30-40 gallon tank is sufficient for an adult. Ensure it has a secure lid to prevent escape.
Substrate: Aspen shavings, cypress mulch, or reptile carpet work well.
Heating and Lighting: Provide a heat gradient with a basking spot around 88-92°F and a cooler side around 75-80°F. Nighttime temperatures can drop to around 70°F. UVB lighting is not necessary.
Diet: Feed appropriately-sized mice or rats. Juveniles may require feeding every 5-7 days, while adults can be fed every 7-10 days.

Temperament

Ball pythons are generally very docile and rarely bite. They are easy to handle and can make great pets for beginners. With proper care, they can live for 20-30 years.

5. Blue-Tongued Skink

Overview

Blue-tongued skinks are unique lizards known for their distinctive blue tongues. They are relatively easy to care for and have a calm temperament, making them suitable for novice reptile keepers.

Care Requirements

Enclosure: A 40-55 gallon tank is suitable for an adult blue-tongued skink.
Substrate: Use reptile carpet, aspen shavings, or cypress mulch.
Heating and Lighting: Provide a basking spot of 95-100°F and a cool side around 75-85°F. UVB lighting is essential for their health.
Diet: Blue-tongued skinks are omnivores. Offer a mix of vegetables, fruits, and protein sources like insects, cooked eggs, and lean meats.

Temperament

Blue-tongued skinks are generally very docile and tolerate handling well. They can live for 15-20 years with proper care, making them a long-term commitment.

6. Crested Gecko

Overview

Crested geckos are small, easy-to-care-for lizards native to New Caledonia. They are known for their distinctive crests and ability to stick to surfaces with their toe pads.

Care Requirements

Enclosure: A 20-gallon tank is suitable for a single adult. Vertical space is important, so a tall tank is preferable.
Substrate: Use coconut fiber, moss, or paper towels.
Heating and Lighting: Maintain temperatures between 72-78°F. Crested geckos do not require UVB lighting, but a low-level UVB light can be beneficial.
Diet: Feed a commercial crested gecko diet, supplemented with occasional insects like crickets or roaches.

Temperament

Crested geckos are generally very calm and tolerate handling well. They can live for 15-20 years with proper care, making them a long-term commitment.

7. Uromastyx

Overview

Uromastyx, also known as spiny-tailed lizards, are hardy desert dwellers that make great pets for beginners. They are known for their unique appearance and active nature.

Care Requirements

Enclosure: A 40-gallon tank is suitable for a single adult, but larger is better.
Substrate: Use a mix of sand and soil, or reptile carpet.
Heating and Lighting: Provide a basking spot of 100-120°F and a cool side around 80-90°F. UVB lighting is essential for their health.
Diet: Uromastyx are primarily herbivores. Offer a variety of vegetables, greens, and occasional fruits.

Temperament

Uromastyx are generally very active and curious. They can be handled regularly but may take some time to get used to it. With proper care, they can live for 15-20 years.

8. Russian Tortoise

Overview

Russian tortoises are small, hardy tortoises that make excellent pets for beginners. They are known for their friendly nature and ease of care.

Care Requirements

Enclosure: A large, secure outdoor pen is ideal, but a large indoor enclosure can also work.
Substrate: Use a mix of sand and soil, or coconut coir.
Heating and Lighting: Provide a basking spot of 90-95°F and a cool side around 70-75°F. UVB lighting is essential for their health.
Diet: Russian tortoises are herbivores. Offer a variety of leafy greens, vegetables, and occasional fruits.

Temperament

Russian tortoises are generally very friendly and curious. They can live for 40-50 years with proper care, making them a long-term commitment.

9. Green Anole

Overview

Green anoles are small, active lizards native to the southeastern United States. They are known for their vibrant green color and ability to change shades.

Care Requirements

Enclosure: A 10-gallon tank is suitable for a single anole, but larger is better.
Substrate: Use coconut fiber, moss, or reptile carpet.
Heating and Lighting: Provide a basking spot of 85-90°F and a cool side around 75-80°F. UVB lighting is essential for their health.
Diet: Feed a diet of small insects like crickets, mealworms, and fruit flies.

Temperament

Green anoles are generally very active and fun to watch. They are not as tolerant of handling as some other reptiles but can be gently handled with care. They can live for 5-7 years with proper care.

10. Milk Snake

Overview

Milk snakes are small, colorful snakes known for their vibrant patterns. They are relatively easy to care for and have a docile nature, making them suitable for beginners.

Care Requirements

Enclosure: A 20-gallon tank is suitable for an adult milk snake. Ensure it has a secure lid.
Substrate: Use aspen shavings, cypress mulch, or reptile carpet.
Heating and Lighting: Provide a heat gradient with a basking spot around 85-90°F and a cooler side around 75-80°F. Nighttime temperatures can drop to around 70°F. UVB lighting is not necessary.
Diet: Feed appropriately-sized mice or rats. Juveniles may require feeding every 5-7 days, while adults can be fed every 7-10 days.

Temperament

Milk snakes are generally very calm and tolerate handling well. They can live for 15-20 years with proper care, making them a long-term commitment.

11. African Fat-Tailed Gecko

Overview

African fat-tailed geckos are small, easy-to-care-for lizards native to West Africa. They are known for their distinctive fat tails and calm demeanor.

Care Requirements

Enclosure: A 10-20 gallon tank is suitable for a single adult.
Substrate: Use reptile carpet, paper towels, or coconut fiber.
Heating and Lighting: Provide an under-tank heater and a basking light to maintain temperatures between 88-92°F during the day and around 75°F at night. No special UVB lighting is required, but a low-level UVB light can be beneficial.
Diet: Feed a diet of insects like crickets, mealworms, and dubia roaches. Dust insects with calcium and vitamin supplements regularly.

Temperament

African fat-tailed geckos are generally very calm and tolerate handling well. They can live for 15-20 years with proper care, making them a long-term commitment.

12. Red-Eared Slider

Overview

Red-eared sliders are popular aquatic turtles known for the red stripes on the sides of their heads. They are relatively easy to care for but require a larger setup than some other reptiles.

Care Requirements

Enclosure: A 75-gallon tank or larger is suitable for an adult. Provide both swimming and basking areas.
Substrate: Use large river rocks or a bare-bottom setup for easy cleaning.
Heating and Lighting: Provide a basking spot of 90-95°F and a water temperature of 75-80°F. UVB lighting is essential for their health.
Diet: Feed a diet of commercial turtle pellets, vegetables, and occasional live or frozen prey like fish or insects.

Temperament

Red-eared sliders are generally active and fun to watch. They are not as tolerant of handling as some other reptiles but can be gently handled with care. They can live for 20-30 years with proper care, making them a long-term commitment.

13. Gargoyle Gecko

Overview

Gargoyle geckos are small, easy-to-care-for lizards native to New Caledonia. They are known for their unique appearance and ability to change color.

Care Requirements

Enclosure: A 20-gallon tank is suitable for a single adult. Vertical space is important, so a tall tank is preferable.
Substrate: Use coconut fiber, moss, or paper towels.
Heating and Lighting: Maintain temperatures between 72-78°F. Gargoyle geckos do not require UVB lighting, but a low-level UVB light can be beneficial.
Diet: Feed a commercial gargoyle gecko diet, supplemented with occasional insects like crickets or roaches.

Temperament

Gargoyle geckos are generally very calm and tolerate handling well. They can live for 15-20 years with proper care, making them a long-term commitment.

14. Western Hognose Snake

Overview

Western hognose snakes are small, easy-to-care-for snakes known for their upturned snouts. They are relatively docile and make great pets for beginners.

Care Requirements

Enclosure: A 20-gallon tank is suitable for an adult. Ensure it has a secure lid.
Substrate: Use aspen shavings, cypress mulch, or reptile carpet.
Heating and Lighting: Provide a heat gradient with a basking spot around 85-90°F and a cooler side around 75-80°F. Nighttime temperatures can drop to around 70°F. UVB lighting is not necessary.
Diet: Feed appropriately-sized mice or rats. Juveniles may require feeding every 5-7 days, while adults can be fed every 7-10 days.

Temperament

Western hognose snakes are generally very calm and tolerate handling well. They can live for 15-20 years with proper care, making them a long-term commitment.

15. Argentine Black and White Tegu

Overview

Argentine black and white tegus are large, intelligent lizards known for their distinctive black and white patterns. They are relatively easy to care for but require a larger setup than some other reptiles.

Care Requirements

Enclosure: A 75-gallon tank or larger is suitable for an adult. Provide both swimming and basking areas.
Substrate: Use large river rocks or a bare-bottom setup for easy cleaning.
Heating and Lighting: Provide a basking spot of 90-95°F and a water temperature of 75-80°F. UVB lighting is essential for their health.
Diet: Feed a diet of commercial turtle pellets, vegetables, and occasional live or frozen prey like fish or insects.

Temperament

Argentine black and white tegus are generally active and fun to watch. They are not as tolerant of handling as some other reptiles but can be gently handled with care. They can live for 20-30 years with proper care, making them a long-term commitment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which reptile is the best for a beginner?

Leopard geckos and corn snakes are often considered the best reptiles for beginners due to their manageable size, easy care requirements, and docile nature.

How much does it cost to set up a reptile enclosure?

The cost varies depending on the species and the size of the enclosure. Basic setups can start around $100-200, but more complex environments can cost several hundred dollars.

Do reptiles need special lighting?

Many reptiles require UVB lighting to help them synthesize vitamin D3 and metabolize calcium. However, some species, like leopard geckos and ball pythons, do not require UVB lighting but can benefit from it.

How often should I feed my reptile?

Feeding frequency depends on the species and age of the reptile. For example, juvenile snakes may need feeding every 5-7 days, while adults can be fed every 7-10 days. Lizards like bearded dragons may need daily feeding when young and every other day as adults.

Can reptiles be kept together?

Housing reptiles together is generally not recommended unless you have a species that is known to be social and can live in groups, such as some tortoises. Most reptiles are solitary and may become stressed or aggressive if housed with others.

Conclusion

Choosing the right reptile pet for a beginner involves considering the care requirements, temperament, and long-term commitment each species demands.

The 15 reptiles listed above are excellent choices for novice keepers due to their manageable size, relatively simple care needs, and generally calm dispositions.

By providing the appropriate environment, diet, and regular maintenance, you can enjoy a rewarding experience with your new reptile companion.