Last Updated: 05/02/2026

5 Reptile Facts For Non-Herpetologists

Interested in knowing more about reptiles? Check out these cool facts about reptiles and learn more about them as pets from our vet team.

Author: Dr Nicole du Plessis BVSc (Hons)

Reading Time: 6 minutes - short read

Keeping reptiles might seem overwhelming if you've never done it before; they are less common than the dogs and cats many of us have grown up with as pets. However, once you know some basics and specifics about your chosen species, reptile keeping is a rewarding and thrilling experience!

These five facts will get you started in building your herpetology knowledge.

1 - The Planet Is Home To Over 8,000 Species Of Reptiles

Reptiles first appeared over 300 million years ago, around the time of the dinosaurs. Reptiles are divided into four main classificatory categories: turtles (order Testudines), tuatara (order Rhynchocephalia) lizards and snakes (order Squamata), and crocodiles (order Crocodylia).

Squamata is the largest taxonomy, with over 4,000 species of lizards and 3,000 species of snakes.

Many of these species have not been domesticated and are only found in the wild; however, you will still have a large variety to select from when it comes to choosing a reptilian pet!

If you are a first time reptile keeper, it is best to stick to more "beginner" species, such as the bearded dragon or Stimson's python. As you gain experience and knowledge, it is then appropriate to advance to rarer, more difficult species. In saying that, all reptiles have complex environmental requirements and should never be considered as a "low maintenance" pet. Proper research and preparation is essential to care adequately care for reptiles. Not to mention a suitable reptile-keeping license in Australia.

2 - Reptiles Are Ectotherms

If you spend much time in nature (or even at a zoo), you have probably seen a lizard, snake or turtle basking on a rock in the sun. They are not just working on their suntan, as humans would.

For reptiles, basking as a necessary behavior because they are ectothermic, meaning that they do not produce their own body heat, and must warm themselves through external sources.

The intensity and amount of light you will need to provide will vary based on where in the world your species naturally lives (the tropics are a vastly different climate from the desert) and on whether they are diurnal (active during the daytime) or nocturnal.

You will need to create a heat gradient within the enclosure - a warm side where they can go to heat themselves up, and a colder side where they can retreat to cool off. The best way to do this is to set up a thermostat attached to thermometers within the enclosure. Heat is very important for our reptiles as they rely on external sources of heat to metabolise and digest their food, fight infection, and even for maintaining a normal heart rate!

Only native reptiles can be kept in Australia, which means that the majority of species require warmer temperatures, with hot sections of the enclosure reaching up to 40 degrees Celsius. As the UV index in Australia is so high, the majority of our pet reptiles also have a huge requirement for UV light, and we recommend investing in the best UV globe, and changing it at least 6 months. We also recommend at least 1-2 hours of natural sunlight a week for diurnal reptiles like Bearded Dragons.

3 - Beware Of Salmonella

There are fewer risks to your health and safety than you might think when it comes to owning a reptile. Bites are uncommon in tame reptiles as long as the animal is healthy and you follow proper procedures when feeding by washing your hands before and after feeding, and using tongs or long tweezers to offer food. Beginner reptiles such as Stimsons Pythons and Central Bearded Dragons are also more docile and unlikely to bite.

However, one risk to be aware of is salmonella. Salmonella is a normal to find in a reptileâs gastrointestinal system and skin, and will not make them sick in the same way that it infects humans. It is commonly spread through their droppings.

Symptoms of salmonella include diarrhea, vomiting, cramps, and fever. Young children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems are at higher risk from developing complications from the infection.

However, donât let this scare you away: as long as you commit to good hygiene practices by cleaning the enclosure regularly and washing your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water after any interaction with your reptile. Do not allow children to interact with reptiles unattended, and ensure that your husbandry is ideal to reduce stress and a compromised immune system.

4 - They Are Surprisingly Long-Lived

If you’re thinking about a pet reptile, you aren’t just choosing a pet for the next few years; you’re often choosing a long-term commitment with most reptile lifespans extending for several decades. Their remarkably long lifespans are largely due to efficient, slow metabolisms, they age very differently than the mammals we. Even small discrepancies in diet or heating might not show up in their health for years, which is why preventative care is so important for reptiles.

Because of this, health problems caused by even minor husbandry errors such as inappropriate temperatures, lighting, or diet may take months or even years to become obvious. This delayed onset is exactly why preventative care and correct husbandry from day one are so critical for reptiles.

Here are some typical lifespans for commonly kept reptile species in Australia:

Lizards

Central Bearded Dragon: 10–15 years
Blue-tongue Skink: 20–30 years

Snakes

Diamond Python: 20–30 years
Green Tree Python: 20–30 years
Stimson’s Python: 15–25 years

Turtles

Turtles are the undisputed champions of longevity.

Eastern Long-necked Turtle: 30–50+ years
Murray River Turtle: 30–50+ years

With lifespans like these, especially for turtles, it’s worth thinking of them as a “living heirloom” that you might even need to include in your will! Before bringing a reptile home, ask yourself: are you truly prepared for the long haul?

5 - The Masters Of Hiding Illness

In the wild, if a reptile shows signs of illness or weakness this leaves them exposed and vulnerable to predators. Because of this, reptiles have evolved to hide disease exceptionally well. This instinct doesn’t disappear in captivity. As a result, reptiles often appear “fine” until they are quite unwell.

Early signs of illness are typically very subtle and may include reduced activity, a gradual decrease in appetite, slow weight loss, or difficulty shedding. By the time these changes are noticed, the underlying problem may have been developing quietly for weeks or even months.

This is why close monitoring at home is so important. Regularly observing your reptile’s appetite, body condition, behaviour, and shedding patterns can make a huge difference. Just as importantly, routine health checks with a reptile-experienced veterinarian are invaluable for early disease detection. For most species, 6–12 monthly veterinary check-ups are recommended to ensure your scaly companion is truly thriving, not just surviving.

Environmental Enrichment for Reptiles

Despite their teeny brains, reptiles absolutely still require plenty of environmental enrichment. Captive reptiles need wild-type simulations to keep them engaged.

For example, snuffle mats or forage trays can be used to simulate foraging in the wild for lizards like Bearded Dragons and Bluetongues. Arboreal snakes will appreciate climbing logs of different sizes, shapes, and textures, whereas ground-dwelling snakes love different sized hides.

Although it may seem like a good idea, never feed live rodents to any reptile. It may seem like the closest thing to their wild diet, but rodents are never trapped in an enclosure with a snake, and live rodents can severely injure reptiles to the point of killing them, not to mention the humane issues associated with live feeding. A live rodent can be simulated by moving the prey item around as the snake prepares to strike.

If these five facts are some of the first you have learned about reptile keeping, you are off to a pretty good start! Keep researching, keep learning, and soon, you'll be able to begin keeping!

Johnathan David is a graduate in animal welfare behavior, biologist and a reptile hobbyist.

Want to know more? Check out our Vet Squad Page for more tips on keeping your pets happy and healthy.