Reptiles can be fascinating, but there are a few rules you need to respect if you want to see your cold-blooded friends thrive. Most reptiles we see as pets are exotic varieties, which may not live under normal conditions of your homeland. When you thought about having an unusual pet, you should have as well think about meeting unusual keeping as well. Don't worry, as the requests are not than impossible, but some of them are mandatory. They depend very much on what type of reptile you decide growing. And if you are a beginner in this domain, doing some research is crucial. So here are some golden rules of respecting when you wish to keep reptiles as pets.

First of all, always have in mind that reptiles are cold-blooded animals. That means that they are not capable of warming themselves up, needing an external source of heat to keep them alive. In natural habitats, reptiles usually take the best out of sunny days, basking in the sun and trying to absorb as much heat as possible. Thus, a heating source is needed in your terrarium. There are many ways in maintaining a steady temperature in the area where your reptile resides, such a heat mats, ceramic bulbs or a dimming thermostat. Check to see which one is best in your situation and also see what the best temperature for your reptile is, so you know how to make the proper adjustments.

Another important aspect is lighting. But don't think you are going to solve that by placing any light bulb in your reptile's vivarium. Reptiles need a special source of light, which can also emit UVBs, besides just making some light. Without the UVBs, your reptiles will have an issue in using the calcium they ingest from their food. Vitamin D3 is the one helping them metabolize calcium, and this vitamin is only stimulated in the presence of the UVs. So make sure you get a proper lamp, with the right intensity, specially made for reptiles. Your type of reptile will tell you what type of lighting source you will need to use.

You may also need to be careful about humidity. Use a hygrometer to determine that air humidity in the room where you will keep the reptile. Also, check out what levels of humidity make the reptile feel more comfortable. If a more humid air is needed, use a substrate that can hold in more moisture, like orchid bark, and use a water mister to spray fine water particles to keep the levels up. For less humidity, use beech chips or bio grass pellets. The last method is best, since if swallowed accidentally, it won't cause any harm to your reptile. In vivarium with elevated humidity, it is highly advisable to take out food leftovers or feces, as they will more rapidly decompose, causing mold and mites issues. Again, it is essential to do some research on the type of reptile you are interested in, to know which type of substrate and conditions are needed for its keeping. So don't overlook that if you wish to enjoy your reptile as much as possible.