If you are considering a pet reptile you may be wondering if they have a personality. When I was a kid, I used to spend hour after hour and day after day hunting for snakes, lizards, turtles, and any reptile or interesting creature I could find.
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.