Lizard

It can be challenging trying to figure out what your pet reptile is feeling based on its actions and body language. It takes experience, time, and patience to aptly read whatever body language reptiles use to indicate what they feel. The slightest movement can indicate that your pet is not feeling well and might be ill or stressed.

Here are a few tips on determining what some movements may indicate among pet reptiles:

Stress among reptiles can lead to more serious illnesses. It is best to be aware of when your pet is feeling upset. It can be caused by a number of things such as how it is handled, aches and pains, and its environment. It’s also important to know what the cause is so that you can act immediately to make it feel better and more relaxed.

Some signs to look for to know that your reptile is stressed out:

-Your pet reptile snaps, strikes, or tries to bite.
-Your pet goes into hiding when you try to pick it up.
-Your reptile tries to run away from you.
-Your reptile appears dazed, and squirms and hisses when it usually is tame.
-Your reptile is breathing heavily.

Many types of reptiles may exhibit different behavior that will allow you to know when it feels discomfort. Some signs to look out for are:

Snake – it may wrap itself around your arm or leg, draw its head back and position itself into a letter S, it thrashes around and can attempt to strike you.

Lizards – tries to dig its claws on you, climbs all over you, whips its tail around and gapes with its mouth open.

Turtles - Legs flail out of water and in mid air and they retreat into their shells.

Reptiles are usually tame and gentle creatures. When they react in a negative way towards you, it can usually mean they are being defensive and feel threatened or they may not feel well. They do not intentionally want to hurt you but rather they are only reacting based on their instincts.

How to Determine If a Reptile is Happy

Unlike other types of expressive pets, like dogs and cats, it can be difficult to tell if your pet reptile is happy. A few indications to let you know that it is content:

-Your reptile does not run away from you even if it is given the opportunity to do so.
-It does not try to bite, strike, or hiss at you.
-It goes to sleep while you are holding it, or while it is near.
-It doesn’t avoid your touch.
-Even if you stop petting it, it still remains close to you.

If you think your pet is sick, immediately seek veterinary assistance.

Photo: http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i256/halloweenking/EnzoEye.jpg

To view this article in spanish, click here: http://www.petsintouch.com/pnnespanol/12634/comprendiendo-el-lenguaje-corporal-de-tu-reptil