Finding Pet Supplies That Will Keep My Animals Safe

Bringing home a reptile as a pet can be so exciting. Although these animals are typically kept in enclosures, they are still really fun to have around and to observe. But what type of reptile should you bring home? If you find yourself torn between turtles and snakes, here are some things to consider as you make your decision. 

Turtles: Pros

Turtles are fun to watch as they poke their heads in and out of shells. Most species of turtles sold as pets are docile, easy to handle, and good to have around kids. They can eat pelleted turtle food with the occasional helping of cockroaches or crickets added for extra nutrition. 

Turtles: Cons

Turtles do need access to water, which means an expensive aquarium setup. The water temperature also has to be closely regulated by a heat lamp, and turtles can become very sick or even die if the temperature falls outside the ideal range, which varies by species. Another hard aspect of owning a turtle is the fact they tend to smell. Cleaning the aquarium more often helps with this, but there will still be an odor.

Snakes: Pros

Snakes definitely have the "cool factor" going for them. Some people may not find it that interesting that you own a turtle, but almost everyone's eyes will get wide when you tell them you own a snake. On top of that, snakes are pretty easy to keep. They can live in a spacious aquarium lined with wood shavings, and you don't have to clean or change their bedding very often. Snakes do need a light bulb to regulate the temperature in their tank, but they don't have to be kept in too narrow a temperature range.

Snakes: Cons

Snakes are good at escaping. Some types of snakes are better escape artists than others. For instance, ball pythons tend to get out of their tanks more than corn snakes. This means you really have to be vigilant about keeping the tank securely shut. Another downside of owning a snake is its diet. They eat small mice, for the most part. Some snakes will eat frozen and thawed mice, but others will only eat live ones, which makes some people squeamish.

So, does a turtle or a snake sound like the better pet for you? Consider the pros and cons above, and talk to someone who has reptiles for sale to learn more about them.