Reptiles… are they the best pets to have? I think yes!

Pets are something that can be found in households around the world and have plenty of beneficial characteristics, especially if it’s a reptile.

From dogs, cats, fish and even birds, people have the option to get any animal they want and train it to be their best friend.

According to an article released by animalsmart.org titled Dogs help humans reduce stress, a 2001 study showed that playing or even petting an animal can increase levels of the stress-reducing hormone know as oxytocin.

With some apartments and houses not allowing dogs or charging monthly payments to own a dog, having one while renting can be difficult.

Dogs are a well-known pet and are often referred to as “a man’s best friend,” but, they are also hard and expensive to maintain. Thankfully, there is a cheaper option.

Reptiles are pets that require very little maintenance and tend to be fairly cheap but can also be a very rewarding pet to own.

Some people will tell you that reptiles are boring and don’t do anything without even giving a reptile a chance.

Yes, they may be rough-skinned, and maybe you can’t take them on walks, but the amount of happiness a reptile can give someone is equal to that of any other pet.

Worldwide there are millions of different and unique breeds and colours of reptiles. From red and spiked, to blue and smooth, there are multiple characteristics to choose from with reptiles.

As someone who owns two reptiles, (a bearded dragon and a crested gecko), I can attest to the fact that reptiles have some of the biggest personalities among pets.

They are continuously curious and always excited when they see a familiar face. They may not wag their tails, but they will run to the front of their tank and wait for you to acknowledge them.

Reptiles come in all shapes and sizes as well, so people have the ability to pick the perfect sized pet that’s right for their lives.

Whether you have a mansion and want a dog-sized lizard or a tiny apartment and want a small palm-sized gecko, there are plenty of options when it comes to reptiles.

Bearded dragons tend to be the most popular among reptiles due to their easy maintenance, but oversized personalities.

There is nothing more interesting the watching a bearded dragon try and size itself up in a mirror. The puffing up action of their beard and the waving of their heads is always amusing and will put a smile on anyone’s face.

Overall, reptiles are a pet that will enjoy being held by their owner, but are also very self-sufficient and can go days without contact with humans. This makes them perfect pets for busy people or students.

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Justin is a second-year Digital Journalism student at Lethbridge College. He is originally from High River Albert and is a huge sports fan. Outside of school, Justin loves spending most of his time chilling with the boys.

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