Conservationist and
wildlife advocate Ben
Dessen is Reptiles
Department Manager
at Kellyville Pets and is
passionate about
educating newcomers
to the reptile hobby.
The ability to interact
with your reptile pet is
important for many
owners, but not all
reptiles are suitable for
regular handling....
‘To Have and to Hold.’
Handling Captive Reptiles.
Pets play an important part in our lives, bringing us
much enjoyment, and even affection. Interacting
with animals and being ‘hands-on’ with them is one
of the greatest pleasures of owning a pet. However,
‘cuddles’ are less commonly associated with pets of
the scaly variety.
Some reptile keepers anthropomorphise their pets
(i.e. attribute human characteristics or behaviours
to an animal), assuming that their bearded dragon,
turtle or python loves being cuddled and scratched
on the head, or is excited to see them when they
come home. But most reptiles are solitary
creatures; do they really enjoy being handled, or
rather do they simply tolerate our mammalian need
for tactile interaction?
Studies suggest that reptiles are capable of feeling
very basic emotions such as fear, aggression and
perhaps, to a lesser extent, pleasure. When your
bearded dragon runs to the door of his enclosure
as you enter the room, is he excited to see you and
eager to jump into your arms? Or does he associ-
ate you with food and expect a tasty meal? It’s all a
matter of perspective. A common theme throughout
my past articles in iHerp Australia and the key to
being a successful reptile keeper comes back to
‘thinking like a reptile’.
Whether they enjoy it, or merely tolerate it, interact-
ing with reptiles is a huge part of the attraction of
Right: this beautiful two-year-old yellow phase
hypomelanistic bearded dragon is obviously
perfectly relaxed while being held by its owner.
Note how all of its limbs are being supported.
caring for these incredible creatures. Children and
people who have a fear of reptiles can develop
respect and appreciation for these often misunder-
stood creatures as a result of hands-on experience.
However, some reptile species are more suited to