Ball python
The classic first python: calm, compact and available in hundreds of colors. Can be a picky eater.
- Length
- 3–5 ft
- Lifespan
- 20–30 years
- Enclosure
- 4×2×2 ft
Check the law before you buy the reptile.
Snakes, lizards and tortoises are legal in some places and banned in others. Pick your state and species, see what the rules say, and follow the link to the agency that decides.
Is it legal where you live?
Choose a state and a species to see the rules.
Not legal advice. Laws change and cities, counties and landlords can add their own rules. Always confirm with the state agency linked in each result before you buy an animal.
Everything at a glance
| Species | California | Colorado | Florida |
|---|
Species guides
Short starting points. Full care guides are in progress. Sizes and lifespans are typical figures and vary by individual.
Corn snake
Hardy, docile and easy to feed. A common first snake.
- Length
- 3–5 ft
- Lifespan
- 15–20 years
- Enclosure
- 4×2×2 ft
Bearded dragon
Friendly daytime lizard that eats insects and greens. Needs strong UVB light and a basking spot.
- Length
- 18–24 in
- Lifespan
- 8–12 years
- Enclosure
- 4×2×2 ft
Leopard gecko
Small, hardy ground-dweller that eats insects. Needs no UVB in most setups.
- Length
- 8–10 in
- Lifespan
- 15–20 years
- Enclosure
- 20–40 gallon
Sulcata tortoise
Starts palm-sized and grows to 100 lb or more. Needs a large outdoor yard and a heated shelter.
- Length
- 24–30 in
- Lifespan
- 50–100 years
- Enclosure
- Large yard plus shelter
Russian tortoise
Small, active and long-lived. Does well with an outdoor pen in mild weather.
- Length
- 5–8 in
- Lifespan
- 40+ years
- Enclosure
- Large table or pen
Red-footed tortoise
Humid-forest tortoise that eats fruit and greens. Needs warm, damp conditions.
- Length
- 10–14 in
- Lifespan
- 40–50 years
- Enclosure
- Large, humid
Hermann's tortoise
Hardy Mediterranean tortoise that thrives outdoors in dry, mild climates.
- Length
- 6–8 in
- Lifespan
- 40+ years
- Enclosure
- Large pen, outdoor access
Boa constrictor
The most manageable of the giants. Heavy-bodied but calm when handled consistently.
- Length
- 6–10 ft
- Lifespan
- 20+ years
- Enclosure
- 6×2×2 ft or larger
Reticulated python
The longest snake in the world; needs two people to handle at full size. Not a first big snake.
- Length
- 10–20 ft
- Lifespan
- 20+ years
- Enclosure
- 8×4×4 ft or larger
Green anaconda
The heaviest snake in the world. Needs a large water feature. Check federal rules first.
- Length
- 9–15 ft
- Lifespan
- ~20 years
- Enclosure
- Custom, with water
Monitor lizards
Smart, active and demanding. Savannah monitors are the usual entry point; larger species need rooms, not cages.
- Length
- 2–6 ft (varies)
- Lifespan
- 10–20 years
- Enclosure
- Varies widely
Gear by budget
Setup recommendations for a young boa constrictor. Product links are being added.
Starter
Roughly $250–400
- Tub or PVC enclosure for a hatchling
- Heat panel with thermostat
- Two hides, water dish, thermometer
Links coming soon.
Standard
Roughly $600–1,000
- Adult-size PVC enclosure
- Thermostat-controlled heat and humidity gauges
- Climbing branches and larger hides
Links coming soon.
Showpiece
$1,500 and up
- Custom-built enclosure
- Automated humidity and lighting
- Room-level temperature control
Links coming soon.
When product links go live, some will be affiliate links. If you buy through them, Lantern Reptiles may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices above are rough estimates, not quotes.
About Lantern Reptiles
Lantern Reptiles started with a simple problem: the rules for keeping large reptiles are scattered across state agencies, old statutes and local ordinances. We pull them into one place and link back to the source.
Content is reviewed by a keeper with hands-on experience with boas, pythons and monitors. The Lantern Keeper has years of hands-on experience with reptiles. [Short bio coming.]
Spot something out of date? Rules change. A contact address will be added before launch.