| We Brits are a nation of pet lovers. But what do you | | | | dwellers or burrowers, as they tend to be a little |
| do if you are an animal lover and are allergic to their | | | | slower moving. Best tarantulas to start with include, |
| fluff? It's a real nightmare: you love animals and | | | | Chilean Rose, Costa Rican Zebra, Mexican Redknee, |
| would like to keep a pet, but the wheezing, sneezing | | | | Mexican Redleg, Desert/Mexican Blonde, and Curly |
| and itchy eyes associated with pet allergies makes it | | | | Hair Tarantula. The pinktoe is a good first arboreal |
| impossible to have a pet dog or cat. Well, fear not | | | | (tree-living) tarantula, but not a good first tarantula. |
| good pet-lover, as there are other pets that are | | | | Normally, arboreal species are more challenging. The |
| recommended to keep which won't have you | | | | pinktoe is also quite fast and agile. Try to have a |
| reaching for the anti-histamines! | | | | female as they live longer than the males. The males |
| Lizards - Firstly, you need to choose whether or not | | | | will also try to get out to find a mate, causing them |
| to get a herbivore or a carnivore. For the carnivorous | | | | unnecessary distress. |
| types you will need to get live bait for food. With | | | | Tortoises and Turtles can live for about 50 years and |
| lizards this so that they can see it move, and identify | | | | sometimes more, so they are a long term |
| it as food. It's not always best just to get fly larvae | | | | commitment. All turtles and tortoises need exposure |
| as if they aren't eaten immediately, they will spin | | | | to ultraviolet light, either by the use of UVA/UVB |
| cocoons and become flies, proving difficult for the | | | | producing bulbs or through natural exposure to |
| lizards to catch. So it's best to stick with crickets as | | | | sunlight. On the whole turtles grow quite large and |
| they will breed in the lizard's container. If you are | | | | need large tanks. Box turtles and tortoises are best |
| brave enough, some larger lizards will eat live mice. | | | | kept outdoors in pens for at least part of the year, |
| Don't give your lizard raw meat unless you physically | | | | weather permitting. |
| feed them yourself, it doesn't move so they will not | | | | These creatures need fresh vegetables and fruits, |
| eat it. Most lizards do not eat every day either, so | | | | and there are also some formulated foods on the |
| try not to overfeed, as it can cause problems | | | | market for certain species. Because they eat a lot, |
| including insect infestation. Always research how big | | | | they will also produce a lot of excrement, so they |
| your lizard will grow when adult, some get extremely | | | | can be messy. They are also not good for younger |
| big and you will have to accommodate them. Most | | | | children due to the risk of salmonella. A balanced diet |
| lizards are small enough to be housed in a five or ten | | | | is essential; luckily most common garden plants, like |
| gallon aquarium. Always keep the lid on so the food | | | | cress, parsley and dandelion leaves are great because |
| doesn't escape! You don't want them moving into | | | | they have high levels of minerals and vitamins. Try to |
| your house! Inside the tank, you must keep a heat | | | | steer away from lettuce which isn't very nutritious |
| rock; lizards are cold blooded, so it is important that | | | | and too much cabbage slows down a tortoises |
| they have a source of heat. You must also | | | | metabolism. Make sure that there is always plenty of |
| remember that lizards are usually sluggish creatures, | | | | clean water. |
| so do not be overly concerned if they don't move a | | | | Ensure that you research what is best for your type |
| lot. | | | | of tortoise. You must consider what you can offer |
| If you are new to lizards, begin with species that are | | | | them in terms of space. Can you give an outdoor |
| easier to care for. These include: | | | | terrarium, indoor terrarium, or perhaps both? It is |
| - Leopard Geckos which are small, easy to handle, | | | | thought that tortoises are able to live outdoors and |
| only need a small tank, and do not need special UV | | | | are capable of surviving our various weather |
| lighting | | | | conditions, but the small period of warm weather and |
| - Crested geckos and fat tailed geckos are very | | | | sunshine in the UK is not really enough for farming |
| similar in their needs, so are good choices too | | | | them. Therefore tortoises should always be kept |
| - Bearded Dragons are docile and easy to handle, but | | | | warm and awake and never put through hibernation |
| they do need a largish tank and UV lighting | | | | without professional advice. Good indoor enclosures |
| - Blue Tongued Skinks are usually docile, but again | | | | should consist of a cardboard box with a UV light and |
| need a large tank and UV lighting | | | | heater at one end to create a temperature gradient. |
| - Green Anoles are relatively small, they don't need a | | | | Ideally though, a tank with a thermostat controlled |
| huge tank, but do need UV lighting Other lizards such | | | | heating and UV light will ensure a more realistic, |
| as Geckos, Iguanas, Chameleons, Chinese Water | | | | natural environment. |
| Dragons and Savannah Monitors, are better suited to | | | | Due to the kidnap of many tortoises as well as |
| more experienced reptile owners. They require | | | | looting of turtle eggs from Southern European |
| proper environments and large spaces. | | | | beaches, there is now a strict governance of only |
| Snakes can make great pets, but it is best never to | | | | captive bred Mediterranean species being sold |
| keep large constricting snakes or venomous snakes. | | | | legitimately in the UK. Ensure that you are aware of |
| Most snakes will live to be about 20 years old, so | | | | where your tortoise or turtle has come from, as |
| they are a huge commitment. If you are starting out | | | | there is sadly a huge black market whereby they are |
| with snakes, try to get a snake from infancy as they | | | | smuggled into the UK from not only Europe, but |
| will be easier to tame, so stay away from wild | | | | Africa, Asia and South America too. Many turtles and |
| caught adults. | | | | tortoises end up at animal sanctuaries having been |
| Snakes are best kept in glass or Plexiglas tank, so | | | | seized by immigration officials, so check at your local |
| that you can see them and control their environment | | | | santuary first before rushing into a private purchase. |
| accordingly with the temperature and humidity. | | | | The main types of tortoise for sale in the UK are |
| Always keep the lid secure. Any snake will try to | | | | now: |
| escape! Try to line the enclosure with butchers' paper | | | | - Greek or Spur-Thighed Tortoise - this was the |
| for easy cleaning. Don't use gravel or cat litter or | | | | original tortoise; they need daytime temperatures of |
| wood shavings, as they trap moisture and waste and | | | | 25C (78F) and 18C (65F) at night. They can spend |
| can hide parasites. They should be kept around 80 to | | | | the British summer outside; they hibernate over |
| 85 degrees during the day for tropical snakes. If | | | | winter; and grows a shell length around 9 inches |
| necessary, have a heating pad or shielded heat lamps. | | | | (22.5cm). They are herbivores, so need an area to |
| Most other snakes can manage in 70 to 80 degrees. | | | | graze |
| Snakes need either live or dead food. You can buy | | | | - Hermann's Tortoise is another very commonly kept |
| frozen rats which you can thaw to room | | | | European tortoise, very similar to the Spur-Thighed, |
| temperature and these are very convenient, as long | | | | but with a more domed and clearly marked shell and |
| as you are happy to keep them in your freezer! | | | | they are slightly larger |
| when it comes to feeding live ones, you must | | | | - Marginated Tortoises - not so commonly known, |
| remember to train your snake to feed in this way, as | | | | grow to about 12-14 inches (30-35cm). These |
| a healthy rat is quite capable of seriously injuring | | | | tortoises should only be outside on the warmest and |
| even a large snake. | | | | driest of days |
| The best snakes for beginners are Corn Snakes, King | | | | - Horsfield's Tortoise or Russian Tortoise is very |
| and Milk Snakes and Ball Pythons. Try to avoid large | | | | similar to the Greek; they hibernate and are |
| constricting snakes, venomous snakes, and snakes | | | | herbivores but are sensitive to humidity, so they |
| that require more care requirements, such as Boa | | | | need slightly higher temperatures and drier conditions; |
| constrictors, red-tailed boas, Burmese pythons, Tree | | | | only hot, dry days can be spent outside. |
| boas or pythons, Water snakes and Green snakes. | | | | - Bell's Hinge-Back Tortoise is the West African |
| Never have Reticulated pythons, Anacondas or any | | | | species, similar in size to the Greek. Again they need |
| venomous snakes as these are potentially very | | | | higher temperatures and more humidity, they do not |
| dangerous. Another fact to bear in mind is that you | | | | hibernate and are omnivores. They can go outside in |
| may need a permit to keep certain types of snake, | | | | really good conditions, but otherwise need a heated |
| as they will only act on instinct and can be dangerous. | | | | tank. Only experienced owners should keep these |
| Keeping exotic pets is a big responsibility for which | | | | tortoises. |
| you need to be prepared. | | | | Hairless Cats and Dogs: Certain breeds of dog or cat |
| Spiders Tarantulas are the best and most popular | | | | which are hairless or hypoallergenic, so a known pet |
| spider to keep as a pet. However they are large and | | | | allergy should not be a problem in all but the most |
| although only slightly venomous, their bite is painful. | | | | sensitive of sufferers. For dogs these breeds include, |
| The New World spiders flick hairs from their | | | | American Hairless Terrier, Chinese Crested, Peruvian |
| abdomen when threatened so they can irritate the | | | | Inca Orchid and Xoloitzcuintli. Low-dander breeds |
| skin and eyes. However, most species are docile. You | | | | which allergy sufferers may be tolerant of include |
| could go for a wolf spider; their venom is virtually | | | | Basenji, Bedlington Terrier, Bichon Frise, Irish Water |
| non-existent and the bite is almost completely | | | | Spaniel, Italian Greyhound, Kerry Blue Terrier, Maltese, |
| harmless to humans. The only problem is, is that they | | | | Poodles, Portuguese Water Dog, Schnauzers and |
| are fast and aggressive, and they can escape! | | | | Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier. For cats, breeds |
| Tarantulas and Wolf Spiders need the same amount | | | | include the Siberian, Sphynx, Cornish Rex and Devon |
| of space and feeding, but the temperature and | | | | Rex. |
| humidity are different for each. Enclosures are usually | | | | Whatever your choice of animal, there are certain |
| fairly small, but you must ensure that you have either | | | | responsibilities which come with being a pet owner. |
| burrows or climbing spaces, depending on your type | | | | These include providing the basics of food, water and |
| of spider. Hiding places are essential. Try not to use | | | | shelter, as well as health and veterinary care. Vet's |
| lamps, use heated strips instead. Tanks should be | | | | fees can be expensive, so another consideration, |
| kept in darker areas of the room. Spiders like to feed | | | | especially for cats and dogs, should be protecting |
| on live insects such as crickets. Spiders tend not to | | | | yourself financially with a good pet insurance policy. |
| overeat. However, a live prey insect may be a | | | | All pets, even spiders and reptiles, deserve love, care |
| danger to your spider during molting. | | | | and attention - whether or not they are capable of |
| Generally the best beginner tarantulas are the ground | | | | showing it in return! |