There are tons of articles covering the best reptiles for beginners. Heck I wrote one myself as you can see from this link! Choosing Your First Pet Lizard.
But what about the most challenging reptiles to keep in captivity?
I don’t mean super rare reptiles, or ones that have highly specific needs like the marine iguana (link leads to Wikipedia). I’m talking about well known reptiles, available to buy and often found in common places like reptile shows that may seem easy, but are really hard to keep.
Well today I’ve compiled that list for you.
1. Iguanas
It would be easy to believe that iguanas are easy to keep as pets.
They are frequently found in pet stores, reptile shows and are readily available online. In fact they are seen so frequently that people naturally assume they’re simple.
The truth is, iguanas are one of the hardest reptiles to keep.
They have some pretty specific needs if they are to be raised successfully, and have a long healthy life.
Iguanas require extensive care.
Here are the things that make iguanas so hard to keep.
Diet
The dietary needs for these lizards is pretty strict. They need fruits and vegetables, but variety and amounts are important.
You should feed 8-12 different varieties of leafy vegetables along with 2-3 varieties of fruits for every meal.
It’s important to learn the nutritional values, and deficiencies, of each food item in order to provide them with the well balanced diet they require. This can also get a little pricey.
A nutritious iguana diet will typically run you $30 per week or more. That’s over $1,500 per year! And that’s in the summer when variety is easy to come by. It becomes a bit more challenging in the winter.
In addition to that, you will need to add supplements to their diet. They need the correct amount of calcium, vitamin D3, phosphorous, and other multi vitamins and minerals.
These need to be in the proper quantities since too much is just as dangerous as not enough.
Size
Iguanas get big. Males can grow to seven feet in length from the tip of their nose to the tip of their tail.
It’s not their size itself that is the issue however, it’s the problem of properly housing them.
You can’t just let them wander the house, or give them a bedroom to claim as their own. They have lighting, temperature and humidity needs that must be maintained.
Iguanas require 10-12 hours per day of UV lighting, and the bulbs need to be changed every 6-9 months. They also need large basking areas with temperatures of 100 degrees or higher while also maintaining a humidity level around 60-70%.
Giving them adequate space to move around and live comfortable while meeting all of these needs in an enclosure requires a lot of time, energy, devotion and money. Not to mention these guys like to swim, and should be allowed to do so frequently.
Temperament
Iguanas do not really like to be handled.
Sure you see pictures of people carrying a six foot iguana that perches on their shoulder and clings to their back, but that takes a lot of time and effort to get them to that point.
And they aren’t that way all the time!
You need to understand your lizard’s body language in order to interpret when and how they will accept handling.
The consequences of attempting to handle an iguana that is not in the mood can be fairly severe. Besides a whipping tail that is like getting hit with a bullwhip, they can also deliver nasty bites which are fully capable of taking off a finger.
Bottom Line
Iguanas are beautiful and amazing lizards that are better suited to the pros.
I also want to add in the morality of owning one. There aren’t very many respectable breeders of iguanas. Most of the ones available in the pet trade are either wild caught or farmed.
Farmed iguanas are either eggs that have been removed from the wild, or pregnant females that have been caught and kept until they lay their eggs.
In the worst cases, the eggs are surgically removed, the iguana is sewn back up and released back into the wild which often times leads to its death.
2. Reticulated Pythons
People hear that a snake can grow to over 20 feet, but they don’t realize exactly what that means until it becomes too much to handle. Here’s an article I wrote about reticulated pythons.
Size
Retics regularly grow to lengths of 25 feet or more, and can weigh over 350 pounds. That’s a huge snake!
And when you have a big snake you need a big enclosure.
Breeders don’t worry about this as much because they typically keep their snakes in totes, and only bring them out to breed and eat. For pet owners however, you will want an enclosure that’s at least 8′ x 6′. That’s about the size of a bathroom.
Many care sheets will tell you that the housing should be around 2 feet tall, but reticulated pythons in the wild are often found in trees. You will want an enclosure that is at least 6 feet tall.
In other words, they practically need a room of their own.
Diet
Big snakes also require big food. Mice and rats will work when they are babies, but as they grow they will require much larger prey.
Many people will feed rabbits to their python, but a diet of solely rabbits does not give the snake all of the nutrients it needs.
Regardless of the prey you choose, it should be pre-killed or frozen. That’s simply good snake husbandry. It isn’t a problem to find frozen mice and rats, but finding food beyond that becomes a challenge.
Safety
Any snake over 8 feet should be handled by two people. I’m not going to say it’s absolutely necessary as I myself have owned snakes that were closer to 10 feet in length which I often handled alone.
When you have a snake that is more than twice that size however, you definitely want someone else with you when you handle it.
When a snake that is literally big enough to eat you decides to strike, there’s a good chance it is going to do so with intent.
It’s not that these guys want to hunt you and kill you, but one mistake could be all it takes. When a snake that is bigger than you strikes, it is most likely going to latch on and attempt to constrict. You will lose.
Snakes can not be tamed!
Yes they can become accustomed to human handling, but they are never truly tame.
Even if your retic doesn’t coil around you, it has a mouth bigger than your hand, filled with razor sharp teeth that will inflict some major damage.
Beyond that is the safety of your kids or pets. These are perfect sized meals for a reticulated python.
Bottom Line
Personally, I love reticulated pythons.
In fact there is one at our local zoo that I visit often. I probably spend more time watching that snake than any other snake in this particular zoo because it has such a large and natural environment that it is usually exploring.
I would never own one though. The upkeep, and housing requirements are more than I am willing to provide.
That being said, they are not impossible to keep and many keepers do a great job. It is challenging enough however, to make it onto our list as one of the hardest reptiles to keep.
3. African Rock Python
Like the reticulated python, the African rock python is an extraordinarily large snake.
The reticulated is definitely longer, but there is a bigger issue here (pun intended); the African rock python is known for having a pretty nasty disposition.
Temperament
Retics used to have a reputation for being less than friendly, but improved husbandry and breeding standards have led to a snake that has become at least somewhat docile.
African rock pythons on the other hand, are still known for having an aggressive temperament.
When you have a snake that commonly exceeds 12-15 feet in length and can weigh over 200 pounds, , you’d better be able to handle it safely.
These pythons won’t make it easy.
Size
Beyond the temperament issue you’ll have to contend with, there is also challenges associated with size.
As with all of the largest constrictors, size can present considerable challenges in several ways.
- Diet – These snakes have been known to eat goat, deer and even young crocodiles in the wild.
- Housing – They almost need a room all to their own.
- Costs – Keeping a large enclosure at a constant temperature gradient, providing the entire cage with adequate UV lighting, plus the additional costs of feeding these large snakes can add up to a lot of money each year.
4. Burmese Python
This snake is slightly smaller than the last two I mentioned. In addition to that, they have a more even temperament than the last two as well.
You’ll face the same housing challenges as retics and rocks, plus many of the same issues with the diet so I won’t go into all of that.
I mention the Burmese python for one main reason.
There is an abundance of them in the pet trade, and these snakes are often abandoned into the wild when owners can no longer house them.
This has actually become a pretty large problem for places like Florida. In fact it’s such a big problem that Florida is actually paying people to go into forests and swamps to catch and kill these snakes.
The fact that such an enormous number of people try to raise them and fail should prove to you that Burmese pythons deserve a place on this list of hardest reptiles to keep.
5. Nile Monitor
These lizards are big, they’re strong, and they can be aggressive.
They can grow to lengths of over seven feet, and have a hearty appetite. You’d better believe your small dog or cat will be on the menu if the opportunity presents itself.
Housing
One of the main challenges with owning a Nile monitor is housing.
First you have the size. Lizards should have an enclosure that is at least twice as long as their body. This would mean an adult enclosure somewhere in the 15 foot range.
In addition to that, Nile’s like to climb, and they love to swim. It can be extremely challenging to provide them with a home that gives them access to all of their environmental needs.
Temperament
This species of lizard is known for being aggressive.
Even adults that are raised from babies are notorious for never becoming fully docile. They tend to stay this way their entire life.
At the end of the day you have a very large lizard that doesn’t like to be handled, and can cause some serious damage. Besides whipping with their tail, these lizards are not afraid to deliver a nasty bite.
6. Asian Water Monitor
Like the Nile monitor, this lizard is too challenging for the average lizard keeper.
The main obstacle is housing.
These guys grow to an average of 4-6 feet in length which requires a large enclosure. In addition to that, they are semi-aquatic, and so require room to swim.
They are great climbers as well, so you need a tall enclosure with plenty of height.
Meeting these needs is not impossible, but is expensive and hard to maintain.
7. Chameleons
This is another lizard that is very popular in the pet trade, but shouldn’t be.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve talked to someone who thought they were doing everything right and providing a perfect home for their chameleon, only to wake up one day and find that their “healthy” lizard had died.
They are easily stressed, their care requirements are pretty strict and they are less hardy than many other lizard species.
Housing
The first challenge chameleon owners face is adequate housing.
These guys need high humidity, but they also require good air flow. As you may or may not know, good air flow typically dries up the air and lowers the humidity.
They also need plenty of heat, and 10-12 hours of UV lighting.
They are arboreal creatures however, who prefer to stay hidden in the leaves of a tree, so getting them to feel comfortable enough to come out of the shade and into the light can be a struggle.
Speaking of their arboreal nature, chameleons in the wild will typically have an entire tree with a 30 foot canopy (or larger) to themselves. You’re just not going to be able to provide them with this in captivity.
Why is this important?
Because chameleons get stressed very easily. They need to be able to hide, and they don’t like a lot of commotion.
A stressed lizard leads to a sick lizard.
8. Wild Caught Reptiles
You have to be careful in the pet reptile world.
Many animals are wild caught, and shipped overseas. Many more are farmed as I described in the iguana section.
Beyond the morality of taking an animal out of nature to own as a pet, are the health issues.
Wild caught reptiles are tightly packed into containers with no food, no water, and little air. They can spend weeks or even months in these conditions as they are transported from their place of origin.
If they happen to survive this trip (many of them die), you receive a reptile that is dehydrated, malnourished, stressed and often times temperamental.
Many of these animals have internal parasites, external parasites or some sort of disease.
It is always best to get your pet from a reputable breeder.
9. Emerald Tree Boa
I might take a little flak from this one because so many people own them.
I’m not saying they are impossible to keep, or that you can’t provide a good home for them.
I am simply stating that they are more of an advanced snake to keep, and are a big challenge for beginner or average reptile keepers.
Part of the problem is people who own them for a few years and then get rid of them.
They think they did a good job taking care of their pet, but didn’t realize all of the deficiencies that might shorten the snakes life span, or cause health issues down the road.
They Are A Fragile Snake
Emerald tree boas have fairly strict care requirements in the way of temperature, humidity and water needs.
There are multiple health issues associated with this snake, most of which are typically a result of poor husbandry.
For example, many people often assume that a dehydrated snake needs higher humidity. Low humidity can cause respiratory issues, but does not effect their hydration levels.
They are not like frogs with permeable skin that can absorb water.
Housing
Speaking of humidity, these guys require a really high humidity which can lead to mold and fungal growth in the enclosure if it is not cleaned rigorously.
They also need to be induced to exercise. Lack of exercise for these snakes can cause several health issues. It’s hard to exercise a nocturnal snake that spends all of its time perching though.
Emerald tree boas are absolutely beautiful snakes, but save them for when you are an advanced herper who is experienced in reading a snakes body language for signs of stress and health, and who has consistently provided a perfect habitat for other snakes before purchasing one of them.
10. Turtles And Tortoises
This is another pet that people frequently believe is easy to care for.
You might even be able to keep one for several years and it seems healthy. Then one day out of the blue it gets sick and dies.
Keep in mind, turtles and tortoises in the wild live an average of 30 or more years. Keeping one for 10 years before it dies does not mean you were successful.
Speaking of their lifespan, that is another important point to consider before purchasing one. Thirty or more years is a LONG time to care for a pet!
Of course you could always sell it, or give it away, but that is exactly my point as to why these are some of the hardest reptiles to keep!
Housing
These reptiles require a terrarium which offers them both plenty of room to swim as well as plenty of room to roam. The bigger the better.
For an average sized turtle or tortoise you are going to need something in the range of a 100 gallon aquarium. Big terrariums are hard to keep up with. They need constant cleaning to prevent algae, mold and fungus.
You also need a great filtration system and frequent water changes in order to provide the right conditions for your pet. You’ll need UV lighting too.
There are a lot of upfront costs as well as maintenance costs to successfully maintain a good home for these pets.
Salmonella
Turtles are known for carrying the bacteria that causes salmonella. Especially young ones. This is why most states prohibit the sale of baby turtles.
11. Crocodilians
I know this sounds like a no brainer to many people, but you’d be surprised at how many caiman, alligators and crocodiles actually make their way into the pet trade.
All crocodilians are hard to keep as pets.
For starters, most of them grow to extremely large sizes. And even something small like a caiman requires a substantial enclosure to meet its needs.
All crocodilians need a vast amount of water in addition to a fair chunk of land to call home. You’re not going to find a commercial enclosure big enough to meet your needs which means it will need to be custom made.
A large, custom made enclosure is going to have to maintain the heat and humidity that these guys require which can be extremely expensive.
And what about keeping it clean?
You can plan on spending a minimum of 1-2 hours per day maintaining a properly cleaned environment. And that’s just with a small caiman. Imagine having something larger!
And of course there’s the obvious danger level associated with the bigger alligators and crocodiles.
The people who are able to meet all of the needs that crocodilians have, typically live in environments that are well suited to keeping these animals outside, like southern Florida.
12. Anacondas
Now we’re talking about a truly massive snake.
They don’t grow as long as a reticulated python on average, but they are the largest snake in the world due to their mass. These guys can grow to over 20 feet in length and weigh over 1,000 pounds!
Housing
Like several others of the reptiles on this list, anacondas require both land and water to stay healthy and survive.
You will need a custom made terrarium in order to meet their housing needs. Ambushing prey from the water is the natural way these snakes hunt.
How big of an enclosure do you think you need for a snake that is over a foot in diameter, is over 20 feet long, and weighs 1,000 pounds? A BIG one!
Anacondas are considered aquatic snakes, so you will need plenty of water. You will probably want a floor drain as well in order to make cleaning easier.
Temperament
What’s worse than an overly large snake that requires a huge house and lots of maintenance?
An aggressive one!
Green anacondas especially are known for having a fairly sour disposition. The last thing you want is to get into the cage of a hostile snake that is large enough to eat you whole.
Bottom line, this is a snake that requires tons of rooms, tons of maintenance, is too big and mean too handle often, and is not often seen in its full glory because it spends most of its time in water.
But hey! I’m not here to tell you not to get one. Some people are just fine with all of these things and that is OK.
13. Venomous Snakes
It should be obvious why venomous snakes are some of the hardest reptiles to keep, but there are so many videos out there that make it look easy.
And who wouldn’t want an awesome 18 foot king cobra as a pet?
Housing
In all honesty, the housing requirements for a venomous snake are no more challenging than their non venomous counterparts.
Heat, humidity, fresh water, a clean environment…all of those are the same.
The biggest challenge is doing things like changing the water or cleaning the cage safely. This includes providing an enclosure that is 100% escape proof.
Safety
When you own a venomous snake, you are not just responsible for your own safety. You are responsible for the safety of ANYONE that the snake may bite.
If you’re showing the snake off to some friends and one of them gets bitten, you are responsible.
If the snake were to get out and bite someone, you are responsible.
If you were to suffer a medical emergency, like a heart attack, falling and hitting your head rendering yourself unconscious, or getting bitten by the snake and not being able to get to the hospital, you are responsible for anyone who comes in to help you.
This includes friends, family, neighbors and emergency personnel.
This means you need to put A LOT of thought into safety.
- Your snake enclosure needs to be absolutely secure. Not just secure against the snake getting out, but also secure so that no one else can get into it.
- You need to have written emergency procedures that are in plain view and easy to find in case someone other than you, an EMT for example, can find them.
- There needs to be antivenom on hand, which costs thousands of dollars. At the very least, you should know exactly which nearby hospitals have the correct antivenom, and have those hospitals listed in your emergency procedures.
All of these are minimum requirements for safely keeping a venomous snake. Check out my article on keeping copperheads if you’d like to learn more.
Disposition
Most venomous snakes have a nasty disposition compared to non venomous ones, and few if any are calm enough to be handled without tools.
You really need to be an expert at reading a snakes body language in order to handle them safely.
They may make it look easy on YouTube, but the vast majority of keepers you see handling dangerous snakes have had years of practice.
Summary
As I said at the beginning of this article, none of these reptiles are impossible to keep.
All of them do however, require a deep dedication, specific knowledge and an advanced level of experience in order to keep them successfully.
It takes more than simply wanting a cool and unique looking pet. You must be dedicated to spending your time and resources to providing any animal the best home possible.