Reptile Information

If you live in a large city, there are probably dozens if not hundreds of pet stores in your area. Finding one that will provide you with the products and services that you need for reptilian pets can be difficult. Here we offer some tips on selecting the right store for you.

Ethical Treatment

Find a store that treats all it's animals the way that you would want. If they have large dogs penned up in tiny cages, rodent cages that obviously haven't been cleaned for a while, or empty water dishes in abundance, then this is not the right place. All the animals should be kept in appropriate, clean and safe enclosures. The behaviour and health of your pet has a lot to do with how it was kept before you got it.

Knowledgeable staff

Some pet store staff simply don't know about reptiles. This is usually not their fault - the store has decided to sell reptiles, and hasn't had the time or taken the time to hire or train qualified people. Don't take it out on them and make them feel like idiots, just walk away and find somewhere else to buy from.

Your questions should be answered, or you should be referred to a reliable source of information. Guessing is dangerous. You wouldn't want to be seen by a doctor who "guessed" what your illness was. Watch out for stores that just give you the answer they think you want to hear, like "No Sir! This diamondback rattler is the non poisonous type"

Wide Selection

If the store has fourty kinds of gerbils, three hundred species of fish, and two dozen varieties of parrot but only two lonely Geckos in a cage as their reptile offering, be careful. Caring for and selling reptiles involves a commitement on the part of the store. If they have properly trained staff, and are well equipped to handle reptiles then you should see a variety on display. Otherwise, the store may either be experimenting with reptile sales, or they have found that they make a tremendous profit on this one particular type.

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