Happy New Year everyone! Traditionally, this is a day for people to set goals for themselves for the upcoming year. Growing and changing are always important, regardless of how old you are or where you are in life. This is something that is also very true for pet owners. If you want to keep your animal companion healthy and happy, Understanding their needs is an important part of that. Out of all of our patients, reptiles are the most likely to be misunderstood. A vet lists some resolutions for people with snakes, turtles, and lizards below.
Do More Research
Reptiles are truly fascinating. And they get even more interesting as you learn more about them! Even if you’ve always had pet reptiles, there’s still going to be more to learn. Invest in a few good magazines or source books. Or you can always just go on an online reading binge. It Will be time well spent, even if you end up learning just a few new things!
Check Your Equipment
Specific environmental conditions involving lighting, temperature, and/or humidity are things many of our reptilian buddies require. Monitoring and creating these conditions requires special equipment . If your pet’s gear is old or sub-par, it may not be accurate. It it’s time to upgrade, put that on this year’s to-do list.
Replace Bulbs
Those specialized light bulbs tend to get weaker long before they actually burn out. The bulbs may appear fine to the naked eye, so you may not notice this. Just make it a point to replace these regularly!
Watch For Warning Signs
Any reptile owner knows that these pets can be both charming and personable, but they usually aren’t as charismatic as other animals, like dogs and cats. That can make it harder to spot behavioral changes that may be warning signs of illness or stress. Research will help with this, but it’s also important to just observe your pet. This should actually be something you enjoy. Reptiles are captivating and beautiful to watch!
Share The Love
Reptiles have gotten some pretty bad PR, and this is unfortunate. They’re not only pretty darn cute but also play crucial roles in our natural environment. Take some photos of your reptilian pet, and use them to get the word out about reptiles and the importance of protecting their welfare. Who knows? Maybe you’ll change someone’s mind about these fascinating creatures!
Do you have questions about reptile care? Contact us, your animal clinic, today!