Looking After a Reptile While You’re Away

Reptiles are some of my favourite animals to mind — and they’re often the ones other sitters won’t touch. They’re not difficult to look after, but they are particular. Here’s what actually matters when someone else is caring for them.

Heat and light are everything

Reptiles are cold-blooded, so they rely on their enclosure to do what their body can’t. That means a proper temperature gradient — a warm basking end and a cooler end so they can move between the two — and, for most, UVB lighting to stay healthy. A thermostat and a thermometer aren’t optional extras; they’re the difference between a thriving reptile and a poorly one. A reptile that’s too cold can’t even digest its food. When I’m minding reptiles, checking the basking temperature and that the heat and UV gear is actually working is the first thing I do, every visit.

Every species is its own animal

A bearded dragon, a python and a gecko want completely different temperatures, humidity and diets. There’s no one-size-fits-all, so the golden rule is simple: know your animal’s specifics, and leave them written down. The more I know about what your reptile’s normal looks like, the better I can keep it that way.

Feeding is all over the map

Some reptiles eat every day; others eat weekly, or even less. Leave clear instructions — what, how much, how often, and whether it’s live or prepared food. One important one: don’t leave uneaten live insects loose in the enclosure, as they can stress or even nibble at the animal. When in doubt, a little less often is usually safer than too much.

Humidity and water

Humidity is another that’s species-specific — some need regular misting and a humid hide, others want it dry and will suffer if it’s too damp. A clean water source is a must, and for the humidity-lovers a hygrometer takes the guesswork out.

Calm and hands-off

Plenty of reptiles would rather not be handled much, and even the sociable ones can be a bit unsettled when their people are away. Unless their routine genuinely needs it, I keep things calm and hands-off — a steady environment, quiet visits, no fuss.

Actually easy to leave

Here’s the part that surprises people: a well-set-up reptile is often one of the easiest pets to leave. Some don’t even eat daily. As long as the environment stays stable and someone reliable checks the temperatures, the water, and does any scheduled feed, they barely notice you’ve gone. That’s exactly what I do — and if your reptile’s the pet other sitters say no to, it’s just the kind I enjoy.