The First Week With a New Reptile: Set Up First, Handle Later

Set up first, shop second

The order matters more than most new keepers expect. The RSPCA advises setting up the vivarium and running it for a minimum of one week before the animal arrives. That week is for dialing in heating, lighting, and humidity - catching a faulty thermostat or a hot spot while the enclosure is still empty, not while something living is depending on it.

Day one: in, fed, and ignored

When the dragon arrives, the RSPCA's sequence is deliberately low-key: carefully allow the dragon to climb into the vivarium, leave food and water, and then no further interaction until the following day. This reduces stress and lets the animal explore at its own pace. And it's best not to start unnecessary handling for the first week at all - let the dragon get used to its surroundings before it has to get used to you.

When handling does begin

Once your reptile is settled, the RSPCA's handling guidance keeps sessions short and gentle:

• Never surprise or grab the animal - scoop gently with both hands so all four legs are supported.
• If the dragon backs away or threatens to bite, leave them be and try another time.
• Keep sessions to around 10 to 15 minutes at a time so the animal's core temperature doesn't drop outside the vivarium.
• Regular, gentle handling has a practical payoff: it makes routine health checks much easier later.

One more newcomer rule

Keep other household pets separated from a new reptile, the RSPCA advises, regardless of how trustworthy they've been before.

Log the first week in PawLine

A settling-in week goes smoother when the observations are written down: first meal, first shed, temperatures each day, the first short handling session. You can find a place for all of it in the PawLine app - and the record becomes the baseline you'll compare against for years. You can find this in the PawLine app.