THINGS TO THINK ABOUT IF YOU WANT A PET REPTILE

While reptiles don't need to be fed daily, walked, or even given much attention, here are some things you should consider before making a big reptilian purchase:

• Look into the diet of your future pet. If you get a leopard gecko, you're going to have to stock up on crickets and mealworms, while a pet snake might require a freezer full of frozen mice.

• Find out how big your reptile will get. African spurred tortoises can grow up to 231 lbs (105 kg), while Savannah monitors can grow to be 4 ft (1.2 m) long.

• Since they're cold-blooded, reptiles also need some sort of heating element in their cage and that could turn into a noticeable rise in your electric bill.

• Some people who own reptiles and sometimes the rooms where they keep the reptiles smell weird.