Why couldn’t they be asking for a hamster? You want to teach your child responsibility but a snake? You may be thinking we can’t have a pet snake. Snakes are dangerous.

I was the little boy asking my parents for a pet snake. Now 40 years later I have learned a thing or two about keeping snakes as pets. I still have a lot to learn so rather than rely only on my own experience I decided to do some research.

So, are pet snakes dangerous? Here’s what I found.

The majority of all snakes kept as pets pose very little to no threat of danger to their owners or their neighbors. Even if these snakes escaped, there would be no danger to the community. They are generally small, nonvenomous, and would likely die before they were ever seen. Some large constrictor pet snakes are dangerous, but you are more likely to die from a bee sting or dog attack than a large python.

Dangerous means “likely to cause harm or injury”.  So, anything that can cause you the slightest bit of harm is dangerous. Ants are dangerous because they can bite, sting, or spray formic acid on you. And it can hurt.

The question is, just how dangerous are pet snakes? And what degree of danger are you comfortable with?

How Dangerous Are Common Pet Snakes?

The term “pet snakes” is very general. There are many different species of snakes that are kept as pets. Each is a little bit different. Here are a few of the most popular pet snakes. All of these snakes are considered harmless to humans. Let’s take a closer look at each.

• Corn snake
• Kingsnake
• Milk snake
• Ball python
• Hognose snake

Corn Snake

Corn snakes are one of the most popular pet snakes. They were probably the most popular pet snake until the ball python craze really caught steam. They are calm, friendly, docile snakes that reach about 4-5 feet in length.

They rarely bite even if they feel threatened or are injured. Even when they do bite, the bite from a hatchling is so minimal you may not even know it’s happening. Bites from adults may draw a little blood like tiny little pinpricks.  

Kingsnake

Kingsnakes are one of the widest spread snakes in North America and have been popular pet snakes since before most of us were born. They average about 3-4 feet and are usually very docile and easy to handle. 

They also sometimes bite and probably more than any other snake on this list. This is usually because they are often hungry and mistake your hand for food. Especially if you smell like another snake or like something good to eat.  

The good thing is they are nonvenomous and their bite is considered one of the least problematic bites you can receive from a medium-sized snake.  This is true for all of the snakes on our list.

Milk Snake

Milk snakes are very popular pet snakes and have been for many years. They make great pet snakes, especially for beginners. They are easy to take care of, non-venomous, tame and easy to handle even for children.

Milk snakes usually don’t get much longer than 4 feet and are considered one of the safest pet snakes a person can own. Bites are rare and do very little damage if any.

Hognose Snake

Hognose snakes are often recommended for beginners. They are not very big averaging only about 2-3 feet in length, are very hardy, easy to handle, and easy to take care of.  These snakes are usually very tame and rarely bite but did you know that hognose snakes are actually venomous?

Yep, that’s right, a snake recommended for beginners is venomous. So why are they even sold as pets? Their venom is considered harmless to humans. So harmless in fact, that they are often listed as “nonvenomous”.

Ball Python

The ball python is by far one of the most popular, if not the most popular, pet snakes. Just the term “python” strikes fear into people’s hearts. Most people don’t realize there are 41 different species of python.  Some are large and some are small.

The ball python is a smaller sized constrictor that rarely gets longer than 5 feet. They can bite and sometimes do, but their bite is insignificant. They are typically very docile and easy to handle. When they are stressed for feel threatened, they usually just curl up into a “ball” and hide.

Fear of Snakes

Dr. Indiana Jones had ophidiophobia. A fear of snakes. This is a subcategory of herpetophobia which is the fear of reptiles. Of the top 10 phobias including social phobias, the fear of open spaces, fear of heights, and so forth, the fear of snakes is number 5.

According to the Verywell Mind, an online resource that provides guidance for mental health, researchers believe the fear of snakes is a learned fear rather an innate.

In other words, many people have an irrational fear of snakes though they don’t necessarily have ophidiophobia. They have been taught to fair snakes.

The fear of snakes is fairly common. This will probably never change but the media doesn’t help. They know that fear sells content and they try to capitalize on it as much as possible to increase their readership.

Snake related articles are therefore sensationalized to stoke those fears like pouring gasoline on a fire. Thus, the fear of snakes amplified lends itself to the belief that pet snakes are more dangerous than they actually are.

When it comes to pet snakes it seems the popular media would define “dangerous” as the very likely risk of serious injury or death. This is very far from the truth.

The majority of pet snakes are not very dangerous at all. The following video will help illustrate this point.

What Happens When Snakes Bite?

How Dangerous Are Snakes in General?

According to National Geographic, there are over 3,000 species of snakes on the planet. About 600 species are venomous, and only about 200 or 7% of them are able to kill or significantly wound a human.

According to the University of Florida, the odds of dying from a venomous snakebite are 1 in 50 million. In the United States, the odds are nearly zero because of the availability of quality medical care.

Nearly all snakes commonly kept as pets are nonvenomous or considered nonvenomous to humans. There are some very rare exceptions for individuals who have a special permit to keep venomous reptiles.

What Pet Snakes Are Dangerous?

While most pet snakes are not dangerous there are some that are. The most dangerous pet snakes are very large constrictor species such as green anacondas, reticulated pythons, and Burmese pythons. 

These snakes are also nonvenomous but can become very large and powerful. Unlike our bite video above a bite from a large constrictor can cause deep lacerations and easily send you to the hospital for stitches.  This doesn’t always happen but it can.

It’s also important to remember that large constrictors represent a very small percentage of all pet snakes. Relatively few people own them.

If you are thinking of buying a large snake as a pet and are wondering if they are dangerous the answer is yes.  Very large snakes are dangerous. 

Researchers say, between 1978 and 2009, large snakes killed 16 people in the United States. This is sobering. If you want to own a large snake you need to know that snake has the power to harm or even kill you. 

What About Other Dangerous Pets?

Let’s compare our data to a much more popular pet animal. Dogs. According to dogsbite.org between 2005 and 2018, dogs killed 471 Americans. Wow. If dogs where a neighboring country, we would surely be going to war.

I actually love dogs, (don’t tell my family) but that’s more than 30 people a year! Compare that to 16 people in 31 years for very large snakes.

Further research shows that around 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs every year, and between 6,000 to 13,000 of those result in hospitalizing. Dogs are dangerous. Perhaps more people should be afraid of dogs.

To be fair, if people owned very large snakes like people own dogs, then the number of snake related injuries and deaths would be higher.

Regardless, you are more likely to be injured by a dog than a pet snake.

More Dangerous Than Dogs and Snakes?

I developed a healthy, let’s call it respect, for bees when I was about 17 years old and was attacked by a swarm of yellow jackets. I received over 100 stings on my arms, shoulders, legs, and head. I was lucky I didn’t have a strong reaction to their stings.

It turns out that we don’t need to fear snakes and dogs nearly as much as we need to fear bees. According to the CDC, from 2000 to 2017, stings from bees and wasps were responsible for 1,109 deaths, or roughly 62 fatalities each year.

You are much more likely to die from a swarm of bees than a large pet snake. You are even more likely to die from an ant attack. (If you live in Africa). 

It turns out that ants are dangerous.  Ants kill 30 people per year. The fire ant and Siafu ants of Africa live in colonies of up to 20 million. Once they attack the colony swarms their prey.  

Most attacks that result in death are due to people falling asleep near an anthill. They die from anaphylactic shock due to countless ant bites.

Most Dangerous Creature on the Planet

There aren’t very many things that are as unnerving or annoying as the high-pitched buzzing of a mosquito in your ear.  The nearly invisible, flying, vampiric, insect whose sole intent is to literally suck your blood.  

Snakes, dogs, bees, and ants really aren’t very dangerous compared to mosquitos.

Mosquitos are the most dangerous creature on the planet – According to the World Health Organization, 1 million people die every year from mosquito bites. It’s not the actual bite that kills but what it can carry. Most of these deaths are due to malaria. 

Are Pet Snakes Dangerous?

So, are pet snakes dangerous? Though the fear of snakes is common, most pose little to no danger to their owners and those around them. They are wonderful, low maintenance pets, that are a joy to own and very safe to keep.

Some are dangerous, but not as dangerous as the media may lead people to believe. There are many other things all around you that are more dangerous than a pet snake. You are more likely to be injured by a dog or swarm of bees than pet snakes.  

Other Dangers

Speaking of other dangers. Here is a list of common things that are more dangerous that pet snakes. Some may surprise you.

• High School and College Football claim an average of 12 lives each year. We had to pull our son out of high school football due to a very severe concussion. The doctor said he was lucky it wasn’t much worse.
• Vending machines fall over and kill 13 people per year. That’s each year! More people die from vending machines than large snakes.
• Cows kill 20 people in America each year.
• Horses also kill 20 people in the U.S annually.
• Flying champagne corks kill nearly 24 people each year.
• Falling Icicles are responsible for more than 100 deaths every year. Yikes! Talk about a cold death.
• Falling coconuts kill 150 people annually. Ouch!
• Falls from ladders cause more than 350 deaths each year. Be careful when putting up those Christmas lights!
• The CDC says Falling out of bed kills 450 people annually and results in 1.8 million emergency room visits and more than 400 thousand hospitalizations each year. Apparently sleeping is dangerous.
• Hippos kill 2,900 people every year. They are considered the most dangerous animal in Africa.
• About 3,000 people die from choking on their own food annually. Eating is dangerous.
• Nearly 6,000 people die from tripping each year.  This gives new meaning to the phrase, watch your step.
• Texting while driving kills 6,000 people each year in the U.S. alone. Is Texting dangerous? It depends on when you are doing it. I wonder if people trip because they are texting?
• About 24,000 people die from being struck by lightning worldwide each year.
• 1.25 million people die in road crashes and 20-50 million people are injured or disabled each year globally.  Cars are dangerous.

How long will you be housing and taking care of your pet lizard? How will this fit into your plans? Are you buying a pet for your son or daughter? If that lizard is a very long-lived species, what will the plan be when they decide to move out?

If that lizard is a very short-lived species will it cause too much trauma for them when their pet passes away? How long will you be taking care of it? How long will your pet lizard be with your family?

So, how long do lizards live in captivity?  I decided to do some research to answer this very question. As it turns out it really depends on the species. My research involved a sampling of 25 species that are commonly kept as pets.  Here’s what I found.

Based on 25 different species commonly kept as pets the average age of a pet lizard in captivity is 13.6 years. This very much depends on the specific species and can even depend on gender. Male panther chameleons average about 3 to 5 years of age. If females are breeding, they may only last 2 to 3 years. On the other side of the spectrum, uromastyx lizards can live more than 30 years but 15 years is more typical.

I wanted to focus my research on lizards that are actually kept as pets.  And narrow that list further to include those that are the most common and most popular, such as bearded dragons, crested geckos, leopard geckos, blue tongued skinks, green iguanas and so forth. The entire list is below.

25 Lizards Commonly Kept as Pets

• Ackie Monitor
• African Fat-Tailed Gecko
• Argentine Black and White Tegu
• Argus Monitor
• Asian Water Monitor
• Bearded Dragon
• Black Throat Monitor
• Blue Tongued Skink
• Chinese Water Dragon
• Chuckwalla
• Crested Gecko
• Dumeril’s monitor
• Frilled Dragon
• Gargoyle Gecko
• Giant Day Gecko
• Green Anole
• Green Basilisk
• Green Iguana
• Jackson’s Chameleon
• Leachianus gecko
• Leopard Gecko
• Ornate Uromastyx
• Panther Chameleon
• Savannah Monitor
• Veiled Chameleon

When researching the life span of each lizard species I began to realize that there is a lot of variability. Some species live longer than others and some don’t live nearly as long as I thought. So, asking “how long do lizards live in captivity” may not be the right question.

I’m reminded of the movie I,Robot when the hologram of Dr. Lanning tells Detective Spooner (played by Will Smith), “I’m sorry, my responses are limited. You must ask the right questions.”  

The answer to our question really depends on the specific species. So, a better question would be, “How long do leopard geckos live?”  Of course, if you aren’t considering a leopard gecko then your question would be…well…you know what I mean.

Not only is their variability when considering a range of 25 different species there are also wide age ranges within a specific species.

For example, the average captive lifespan for bearded dragons is between 6 and 10 years, but there are reports of some living up to 20 years. Ours is currently at 13 years.  6 to 20 years is quite a bit of a range. This is like saying most humans live about 75 years but some live to 150!    

The following chart shows the 25 species in this study and their average life expectancy in captivity. Keep in mind that averages are not meant to be exact numbers. Some individuals will live longer and some will not even reach the average age. 

What Determines How Long a Lizard Will Live?

So, what determines how long your pet lizard will live? This question is probably best asked when looking in the mirror because the answer will be staring right back at you.

The single most important factor affecting your pet lizard’s quality of life and how long that life will be is you.  Owning any animal requires taking on responsibility. One of the oldest, most rewarding and interesting ways to teach a child responsibility is to get them a pet to take care of.

In captivity, your lizard depends on you for everything.  They depend on you for how much space they will have to stretch out. They depend on you for what kind of food they will eat, the quality of that food and how often they will be able to eat it.

Your pet lizard depends on you to learn as much as you can about its specific needs and to provide the right conditions for it to be healthy and happy.  This includes the right kind of lighting, temperature, humidity levels, substrate, access to water, places to hide and places to explore.

Pet lizards can’t do any of these things for themselves.  In the wild, all of these things are provided by mother nature. In captivity, you are taking on that role. This can be sobering and exciting.

There are certainly other factors that have an impact on how long your lizard will live. Some of these things are just not in your control.

Genetics, unforeseen health issues unrelated to husbandry, and natural disasters come to mind.  You can only control what you can control. And you can control how you care for your pet.

Some keepers make honest mistakes, that if corrected, won’t impact their pet lizard’s health significantly. We all make mistakes and that is part of the learning process.

With a little research and talking to other more experienced keepers, this can be an ongoing and rewarding process, especially if your collection grows from one species to another and another or even more. Part of the joy of keeping reptiles as pets is learning all about them! It’s so much fun!

Unfortunately, some owners don’t take this role very seriously. Some don’t do enough research and fail to provide the right conditions. And sadly, some are just lazy and negligent. Their animals live out a sad existence and die slowly. Don’t let that person be you.

The best thing you can do is find the right information. And this should start before you buy your new lizard. So, how do you find the right information?

How Do I Find the Right Information?

In our world, there is no shortage of information. Even in places that have little food, you can still find internet access. We are swimming in a sea of videos on YouTube, posts on social media, and searches on google. The key is getting the right information.

So, how do you get the right information?

 Hopefully, you are buying your new pet lizard from a breeder. If that is the case you are getting off to an excellent start. Breeders started off just like you with an interest in buying a new pet lizard.

They learned all they could and took that interest so far that they are now reproducing the lizard species they love.

They are experts. Reputable breeders will often have something called a “care sheet” this is a one- or two-page document that will give you the right information on how to care for your new pet reptile.

If you are buying your lizard from a pet store, they may also have a care sheet or even a book about how to care for your specific species.

Always cross-reference any of the information they give you with another credible source.  I have seen pet stores recommending the wrong guidelines for caring for a specific kind of reptile way too many times.

Even if you didn’t buy your animal from a breeder you can often find breeders online that share that information freely on their site. 

There are also reputable websites that have very helpful information such as reptilesmagazine.com. I have often found answers to my questions on their website.

Other experienced keepers, who have kept the species you are interested in successfully, are also good people to talk to.   

What Kind of Keeper Will You Be?

Raising reptiles and keeping them as pets can be fun and interesting.  It’s a hobby that is growing in popularity every year. Keeping your favorite lizard can be fun and exciting but comes with responsibility.

It’s up to you to decide what kind of keeper you are going to be. Most people want to do everything they can to care for their reptiles so they have a good quality of life.

Do your best to control what you can control, learn as much as you can, and provide the best quality of life you can for your pet lizard.

As you do this, your amazing reptilian pet will have a long and happy life, and you will have a wonderful and rewarding experience.

I did some research involving 11 popular pet lizard species and this is what I found.

The average time it takes for lizard eggs to hatch is 80 days. This depends on the species. For example, it takes an average of 60 days for leopard gecko eggs to hatch and much longer for veiled chameleons at around 180 days. It all depends on the kind of lizard you are breeding.

There are also other factors to consider. The temperature and humidity levels in the incubator can affect this time and eggs will either hatch a little sooner or a few days later.  Leopard gecko eggs can hatch in as little as 35 days or just over 1 month and veiled chameleon eggs can take as long as 9 months!

That’s similar to humans! Though obviously humans don’t lay eggs…

Common Pet Lizards That Are Bred in Captivity

The lizards in my research include those that are most commonly kept as pets. Some are widely bred by your average pet lizard owner and hobbyists, while a few are bred mostly by professional breeders.

These include the following: 

• Bearded Dragons
• Crested Geckos
• Gargoyle Geckos
• Leopard Geckos
• Green Iguanas
• Argentine Black and White Tegus
• Blue Tongued Skinks
• Asian Water Monitors
• Ornate Uromastyx
• Chinese Water Dragons
• Veiled Chameleons

The chart below shows the average number of eggs laid by each species (average clutch size) and the average number of days it takes for those eggs to hatch.

The above numbers are averages. It can take less time for eggs to hatch and may take longer depending on the conditions.

Will the Eggs Hatch at All? 

Most lizards do not raise there young. The majority deposit their eggs in a nice secluded spot where temperatures and humidity levels are stable, bury them and leave. Never to return. Talk about abandonment.

Predators can be a factor. In the wild, predators will pillage a nest of lizard eggs and eat them all for a nice meal.

In captivity the main factor contributing to the time it takes for lizard eggs to hatch and if they will hatch at all is the breeder.

The Human Factor

It can be fun and exciting to care for and hatch the offspring of your pet reptile! Maybe this is one reason the hobby is growing so fast.

Unlike a lizard who lays her eggs and leaves, breeders have the opportunity to take a parental role in this process. Breeders become the caring parents those little eggs have been missing.

This means that the various factors that play a role in giving lizard eggs a chance to hatch, and how long it takes them, are largely in your hands.

Just as temperatures and humidity determine how long it takes for lizard eggs to hatch, they also determine if the eggs will hatch at all. If these two factors are not in an appropriate range, the eggs will not make it.

These requirements will vary among species and it’s important to get them right. Fortunately, there are incubators made specifically for this purpose that are available commercially. It is also possible to build one yourself.  

In captivity, the threat of predators is also eliminated; unless your cat is allowed to roam the house (and breeding/incubating room) free.

Once you have established a controlled environment and collected the eggs. All that’s left is to put them in the incubator, adjust to the appropriate settings and wait. There is actually a little more to it. You will want to check the incubator on a regular basis to make sure all is going well.

Though it may be impossible to predict exactly when those little eggs will hatch, it helps to have an idea. The chart above can give you a reference for average times but it’s a good idea to do some additional research on your specific lizard species.  

The more you know the better you will be able to care for those eggs. You will be able to increase the percentage of eggs that hatch successfully as well as more accurately predict how long it takes.

Many Mouths to Feed

One last thing to keep in mind. Once your lizard eggs hatch whether that takes 35 days or 9 months you will soon have many little mouths to feed. If that is 2 or 22 or even 50 that certainly adds up and it’s important to be ready for that added responsibility.

Are you going to sell them? Do you have potential buyers? Are you going to keep them? Are you prepared for what that will mean in terms of care? Do you have the appropriately sized food items readily available?

Even if you do plan to sell them there is a good chance you won’t sell them all at once and you will need to care for all those little babies during that time.  Whew, being a parent can be a lot of work. It can also be very rewarding!  

I’m not sure if I will ever get into breeding lizards, but I have to say after writing this article, I’m thinking about it again. My daughter has been asking for a crested gecko. Maybe we’ll get a few and see if we can start our own little breeding project. 

Related Questions

How many eggs do lizards lay?

The average clutch size for lizard eggs is 17. This depends on the species.  The fewest eggs per clutch for lizards on our list are crested geckos and gargoyle geckos with 2 eggs per clutch. The highest are veiled chameleons at 56 and they can lay as many as 85.

Other factors that determine clutch size include the age, size, and health of the female.  Larger more mature healthy females often lay more than the average. 

What is the average temperature for hatching lizard eggs?

The average temperature for incubating lizard eggs is about 81 degrees. About 70 degrees for chameleons and as high as 92-93 degrees for uromastyx.

What is the average humidity for incubating lizard eggs?

The average humidity required for incubating most lizard eggs is about 75%. Humid but not wet. If eggs get too wet there is a good chance mold and fungus will grow and attack your eggs. In this case, the eggs will become infertile and not hatch.

Interesting Facts

• Some lizard species lay multiple clutches during the breeding season. Crested geckos, for example, will lay 2 eggs every 30 to 45 days.

• Incubation temperatures can also determine if baby lizards will be male or female.

• Some species of nearly hatched lizards are believed to be able to sense if predators are nearby. They will burst out of their eggs and take off running.

Now, after 40 years of catching keeping, buying, owning, and caring for many different species of reptiles, I’ve learned a little about this topic. And, there is one thing I can tell you.

Yes, reptiles do have personalities. Not like people. They aren’t going to be doing stand-up comedy for example and they are not quite the same as a dog or cat. They have their specific behaviors. Snakes, lizards, turtles, and tortoises all behave a little differently and each individual has its unique personality. Many owners feel they are capable of developing a bond and relationship with you. 

Snakes have their own set of instincts and behaviors that make them snakes. And lizards have their own set of instincts and behaviors that make them lizards. The same is true for turtles and tortoises. Each specific species also has unique behaviors.  Boas behave differently than pythons for example. And both behave quite a bit differently than garter snakes.

Bearded dragons behave differently than monitor lizards and both act differently than geckos. Turtles and tortoises, though similar, still behave differently than each other.

We are not just talking about what makes a snake a snake or what makes a lizard a lizard or even what makes a specific species of snake different from another. We are talking about personality.

Once we go beyond stimulus-response instinctive behaviors that make a reptile a specific kind of reptile and a specific species unique from another, we find out a little more. When given the opportunity to observe and interact with two bearded dragons for example you will find that each has its own special personality that is different than the other.

You will also learn that each one will respond to you as their owner just a little bit differently. This is one thing that makes owning a reptile so interesting (and cool!) for so many people.

Aren’t They Just Primitive Creatures?

Some people will argue that snakes and lizards or any reptile for that matter, are too simple-minded, primitive and underdeveloped creatures to have personalities. These are usually people who have little to no experience keeping reptiles as pets.

On the other side of the spectrum, there are some reptile owners who tend to go to opposite extremes and over personify their reptile friends. 

So, who is right? Actually, the answer is really somewhere in the middle.

Reptiles certainly have more primitive characteristics than dogs or cats. Dogs and cats have larger more developed brains and interact with people in different ways.

Reptiles are more driven by survival instincts such as eating, digesting food, hiding or defending themselves. They are not going to rub up against your leg or sit in your lap and purr.

They aren’t going to greet you at the door wagging their tales with excitement when you come home. This doesn’t mean you can’t develop a bond with them. Your relationship with your reptile friend can be very rewarding.

The better you take care of them, and the more you handle them, the more rewarding that relationship will be. When you take care of a pet reptile on a daily basis you learn its own unique personality very well.

You begin to notice the unique traits that make them an individual creature. Not just a mindless robot, driven by instinct and genetic code.

What Are Their Personalities Like?

Sometimes they will act very happy to see you and not just because they think you have food. Other times they will act like they actually want you to take them out of their enclosure and hold them. Not just because they want to escape.

Sometimes they are lazy and sometimes they are active. Sometimes they are aloof and indifferent. And sometimes, just like humans, they can be cranky. Still, other times they will look you directly in your eye with an unspoken understanding.

A look that says, you have a connection with them, and they know it, just as well as you do.  

What Reptiles Have the Most Personality?

This question is fairly difficult to answer because there are so many different reptiles to consider and such a range of behaviors between each one. The term “reptile” is also very broad.

The following is a list of some well-known species that rank very high based on my own personal experience or others. Likely owners that have a specific kind of animal that is not listed here could make a very good argument why their favorite reptile should be listed.

It is by no means meant to be a comprehensive list, but it should give you a good idea.

Snakes

• Garter Snakes
• Boas
• Reticulated Pythons

Lizards

• Bearded Dragons
• Crested Geckos
• Green Iguanas

Turtles and Tortoises

• Red-eared Sliders
• Leopard Tortoises
• Sulcatas (African Spur-thighed tortoise.)

Snakes That Have the Most Personality

Garter Snakes

Garter snakes are active, curious, and known as one of the only snakes that are “social”.  No, they don’t go on Instagram or Pinterest, though you might find their pictures there, but they can actually live in groups.

In captivity, they actually tend to be healthier when kept with other garter snakes. This is rarely the case with most any other snake. For more information on garter snakes click here.

Boas

I once owned a pair of Argentine Boas. Beautiful snakes! The male was very docile and would chill on my shoulder, or in my hands, and on my arms when being held. The female was much more active and intense. She would hiss and strike occasionally but never actually bit me.

Boas, in general, have very calm dispositions but each is unique with its own personality traits. Unlike ball pythons, boas like to move and explore when being held. They are curious and calm and make great pets.

Reticulated Pythons

Kevin McCurley, the owner of New England Reptile Distributors, is an expert reticulated python breeder. He says reticulated pythons are very intelligent. They recognize their owners. They remember when they are treated well and when they aren’t.

They reward their owners with good behavior when they are well taken care of. Some reticulated pythons are grumpy, and some are very docile. And, it can all depend on what kind of day they are having, just like humans.

Reticulated pythons are now being used in educational programs more than they ever have in the past. They are the longest snake species in the world and they can make great pets for the right person.

Other snakes that belong on this list include ball pythons, king snakes, corn snakes, and of course hognose snakes. All of these make great pet snakes and there are many others.

Lizards That Have the Most Personality

Bearded Dragon

Bearded dragons. Of course, bearded dragons are on this list! They are at the top for a reason. Bearded dragons are arguably the most popular pet lizard in the world. This is mostly because of personality. They are also very hardy and easy to take care of.

They are almost always docile and easy to handle. They are well known for being curious and active. Bearded dragons are also known for exhibiting curiously, comical behaviors such as head-bobbing, arm waving and doing pushups. 

For more about bearded dragons click here to take you to a post about why they make good pets.

Crested Geckos

Crested Geckos, sometimes referred to as “cresties” are known for having a gentle disposition that makes them easy to handle. They are often thought of as display animals.

It is popular to create beautiful bioactive enclosures. Complete with live plants, soil, automated foggers, and even live insects that eat the geckos waste and keep the cage clean.

These amazing little creatures also adapt to handling very well. Once their owners interact with them on a regular basis it is easy to see each one’s unique personality.  One owner described her crested gecko as being “silly, mischievous and sweet.”

Crested Geckos have become extremely popular pet lizards because they are generally easy to care for, easy to handle and have interesting personalities. For more about crested geckos click here for a post about why they make good pets.

Green Iguana

Green Iguanas have been very popular as pets for many years. They are big, beautiful, spectacular animals. They used to be considered the best pet lizard because they can often be very tame. 

That is until bearded dragons and other small to medium-sized lizards became more available. These other lizards are easier to take care of in some ways and have more consistent and predictable personalities. I put green iguanas on the list to illustrate that reptiles do have personalities.

Years ago, I had a pet Iguana named Rex and he used to enjoy being scratched or petted especially around his neck and under his chin. This is actually not uncommon with tame iguanas. He was very calm and very easy to handle most of the time.

I also had a second pet green iguana named Raptor. As it turned out, that was the perfect name for her. She did not like being handled at all. She would puff up and whip me with her tail every time I tried to clean the cage. She was not having it.

This is an example of two lizards of the same species that had very different personalities. I believe both recognized me. One seemed to consider me a friend and ally and the other…well she preferred to be left alone.   

Green iguanas are intelligent when it comes to lizards and they definitely have personalities. For more information on green iguanas click here. This will take you to a post about why they make a great pet lizard for the right person.

Other lizards that definitely belong on this list include, leopard geckos, uromastyx, Argentine black and white tegus, Asian water monitors and many others.  

Turtles and Tortoises That Have the Most Personality

Red-Eared Slider

Red-eared sliders are probably the most popular pet turtles. Each one has its own unique personality. When you first bring one home, he will be shy and hide in his shell for a few days or more. Once he is comfortable, he will soon come out to greet you especially when you have food.

One owner says they are a lot smarter than he ever thought they were. He lets his red-eared slider roam his house. She will come to people when they call her and even knows how to push doors open. He insists that she craves attention.

Turtles may not be pizza-loving ninjas but they have much more personality than most people think. Red-eared sliders are a great example of this.

Leopard Tortoise

Leopard tortoises are extremely popular pets. They have beautiful shells and are very hardy. They don’t get as large as sulcatas but still grow to a good size. And they have interesting personalities.  Some are outgoing and interactive and some are shy.

In general, they are not quite as outgoing and active as Red-eared sliders but they have personalities all their own. Leopard tortoises are very peaceful animals and are also believed to form a bond with their owners.

Sulcata (African spur-thighed tortoise.)

Our sulcata tortoise Mordecai, runs over to see us whenever we approach his enclosure. When it’s time to eat he runs around his outdoor habitat excitedly doing laps until he is given a pile of greens.

After interacting with this amazing creature for the last five years I am convinced that he recognizes people.

Not just because they are “people” but he can tell the difference. He recognizes individuals. He is very intelligent. It’s funny to see him act shy sometimes and very outgoing at other times. I never thought sulcata tortoises could have such personality but they absolutely do.

Reptile Personality

Pet reptiles certainly have personalities. Though this might not go as far as your favorite Disney character, they can be very entertaining.

It’s interesting to see the range in personality from species to species as well as each individual animal. People are often surprised at just how intelligent and interactive they can be.

They aren’t quite the same as dogs or cats but they have their own special way of touching our hearts.