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It should come as no surprise that the top four most produced reptiles in the world also happen to be the best reptile pets for handling. They are comprised of two snakes and two lizards and even though they originate from the four corners of the world they all have one trait in common. That trait is what makes them an easy animal to handle and has kept them as the leaders in the reptile pet trade. The two snakes are the African ball python and the North American corn snake. The two lizards are the Pakistani Leopard gecko and the Australian bearded dragon. There are many more docile snakes and lizards as well as many other reptiles on this list but if you are looking for the best reptile pets for handling these four are always on the top of the list.
Why Are These The Best Reptile Pets For Beginners
There is more than one criterion for making the list of the best reptile pets for beginners. An animal can be docile and gentle but have care needs that exceed the capabilities of a new pet owner. The four reptiles we mentioned earlier are all easy to handle, care for and feed but even within that short list there are differences. The most reproduced pet reptiles on the planet are leopard geckos and corn snakes. Neither one gets too big to be a nuisance. They both start life in a small terrarium with minimum heating needs and no lighting needs other than for illumination. They both feed on live food that can be easily obtained at most reptile shops or pet shops. Both young reptile keepers and beginners alike can handle them without fear of injury to themselves or their new pet.
Ball Pythons
There are a few reasons why a ball python is one of the best reptile pets for handling. The main reason is that they are one of the few snakes that ball up when they are startled and instead of sticking or fleeing they just tuck in their head and hide. Another reason is that they stay relatively small for a python and rarely need an enclosure that is bigger than 36 inches wide. Finally ball pythons are available in an almost endless variety of patterns and colors with more being made every year.
Corn Snakes
Another great reptile pet for beginners is the corn snake. Corn snakes are more slender than ball pythons and start out as a tiny baby the size of a drinking straw. They are also available in a variety of colors and patterns and will rarely offer to strike when provoked. They are produced year round by a number of large-scale breeders so that you can always find a brand new baby no matter what time of the year it is.
Leopard Geckos
One of the best reptile pets for beginners happens to be a small lizard called a leopard gecko. Leopard geckos are originally from the deserts of Pakistan but over the last twenty years they have been reproduced in captivity in multitudes of colors and patterns. They rarely require a terrarium larger than a ten-gallon tank when kept alone and some keepers even maintain groups of them in a larger sized setting. Leopard geckos are easy to feed and can handle a large temperature gradient so it is easy to get them the perfect setup.
Bearded Dragons
Finally one of the most popular reptile pets for beginners is the bearded dragon. Bearded dragons are kept for their extremely docile temperament and their ability to interact with people in the household as well as other pets without any trouble. Dragon enclosures tend to be larger than other reptiles and they do have precise lighting and heating requirements but most keepers enjoy them so much that the small amount of extra work seems like no problem at all.