Reptiles are very cool animals, both literally and figuratively. If you would like to own any sort of reptile because they fascinate you, just be aware that the ones you see in pet shops are babies. They do not represent the animal's full adult size. Before you start buying up all of the habitat equipment you will need to house a reptile as a pet, you should understand more about these reptiles for sale and what you are buying before you buy it.

Anoles: The Smallest Lizard, and the Most Difficult to Treat Medically

Anoles are tiny little lizards that are amusing to watch and really quite clever. People are drawn to them because their cute size. However, anoles are the most difficult to treat medically because of their size. If the anole you buy gets sick and needs vet care, it could cost you more than most other reptiles.

Turtles: Slow-Growing and More Delicate Than You Think

People always think that turtles do not get very big and that the turtle's shell protects its innards. They are wrong on both accounts.  Some pet turtles can grow to be as big as a foot long and ten inches across the tops of their shells. The shells are actually bones, and are part of the turtle's skeleton. If you step on the poor turtle by accident, or it gets stuck somewhere and crushed, the shell will be so damaged that the turtle could either bleed to death or get a serious infection. Turtles should always be handled with care and given a large enough habitat that you do not have to keep buying a new tank every two years.

Snakes: Fastest-Growing, Largest, and Quickest Escape Artists of All Reptiles

Snakes can be quite fascinating, but they also require the most care. They molt (shed their entire skin) one to three times a year, are larger than other reptile pets, require bigger tanks and more heat, and, quite often, learn to escape their cages and slither away. If you are going to capture a snake, you need need to be just as fast and outwit it too.

When it comes to vet care, many vets will not care for snakes. Their personal and professional reasons for avoiding these pets vary. That means you might have to find a herpetologist (someone who studies reptiles for a living) or veterinary specialist  who provides care for snakes.