PetSmart Reptile Guide: Types, Prices & Care Tips
PetSmart sells beginner-friendly reptiles like leopard geckos, bearded dragons, corn snakes and ball pythons, with prices from about $8 to $200. Live reptiles are sold in store only, and stock varies by location.
Every reptile comes with PetSmart’s 14-day promise, and each listing has a care sheet. Here’s what’s available, what it costs and how to get set up before you buy.
Reptiles PetSmart Sells
PetSmart’s live reptile section listed 28 animals in October 2026, including lizards, snakes, frogs and invertebrates. Turtles and tortoises weren’t among them, as our PetSmart turtles guide explains.
| Animal | Listed price |
|---|---|
| Bahaman anole | $7.99 |
| Green anole | $9.99 |
| Leopard gecko | $34.99 |
| Eyelash crested gecko | $68.99 |
| Bearded dragon | $79.99 |
| Veiled chameleon | $79.99 |
| Milk snake | $84.99 |
| Corn snake | $89.99 |
| Ball python | $99.99 |
| King snake | $119.99 |
| Juvenile fancy ball python | $199.99 |
Prices are PetSmart’s listed prices and can differ in store. Call your local PetSmart to check which animals it has before you go.
The Best Reptiles for Beginners
PetSmart rates leopard geckos, crested geckos and corn snakes as beginner pets. All three stay manageable in size and are easy to handle once settled.
Think about lifespan before you choose. A corn snake can live past 20 years, and a ball python up to 30.
Leopard Geckos
Leopard geckos are PetSmart’s cheapest beginner lizard at $34.99. They grow to about 10 inches and live 15 to 20 years on average.
They’re docile and nocturnal, so they’re most active in the evening. A heat mat under one end of the tank creates the warm side they need to digest food.
They eat live insects dusted with calcium. At about 14 to 17 cents per cricket at PetSmart, feeding costs stay low.
Crested Geckos
Eyelash crested geckos cost $68.99, grow up to 10 inches and can live more than 10 years. PetSmart calls them easy to handle.
They love to climb, so they need a tall enclosure with branches and plants. Most keepers feed a prepared crested gecko diet plus occasional insects.
Bearded Dragons
Bearded dragons are $79.99 at PetSmart. They grow up to 24 inches, live about 10 years and are known for calm, curious personalities.
They need a large enclosure, UVB lighting and a hot basking spot, plus insects and vegetables. Our PetSmart bearded dragon guide covers the full setup and costs.
Corn Snakes
Corn snakes cost $89.99, or $99.99 for fancy color morphs. PetSmart’s care sheet says they grow 48 to 60 inches and live about 18 to 23 years.
They’re docile and native to the U.S., which makes them a common first snake. They eat frozen-thawed mice sized to the snake.
Ball Pythons
Ball pythons cost $99.99, or $199.99 for a juvenile fancy morph. PetSmart says they grow up to 5 feet and live 20 to 30 years.
PetSmart’s care sheet calls for at least a 40-gallon terrarium with a locking screen lid, at least as long as the snake. Ball pythons should live alone.
Feed frozen-thawed rodents no wider than the widest part of the snake, since live prey can bite and injure it. See our PetSmart snakes guide for more species.
Lizard or Snake?
| Lizards | Snakes | |
|---|---|---|
| Feeding | Insects several times a week | Frozen rodents every week or two |
| Handling | Often enjoy short, regular handling | Tolerate handling once settled |
| Lighting | Many need UVB lighting | Usually just a heat source |
| Activity | Visible and active, some at night | Spend more time hiding |
Lizards suit owners who want to watch and interact daily. Snakes suit owners who prefer less frequent feeding and a quieter pet.
If you don’t want to keep live insects at home, a snake or a crested gecko on prepared diet is easier.
Other Reptiles and Exotics
Anoles cost under $10 and suit keepers who enjoy watching rather than handling. Veiled chameleons are $79.99 but need more advanced care with careful humidity and misting.
PetSmart also sells frogs, like the $19.99 Pacman frog, plus tarantulas, scorpions and millipedes. Each listing includes a care sheet with diet and enclosure needs.
Setting Up the Enclosure
Have the full habitat running before your reptile comes home. Turn on heat and lights at least 24 hours early and check the temperatures.
- A glass terrarium with a secure, locking screen lid
- A heat source, like an under-tank mat or heat bulb, on a thermostat
- Two thermometers, one for each end, and a hygrometer for humidity
- At least two hides, one on the warm side and one on the cool side
- Substrate suited to the species, plus a water dish
Reptiles control body heat by moving between warm and cool areas. A tank without that gradient can make them sick.
Feeding Costs
| Food | Who eats it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Live crickets | Geckos, bearded dragons, anoles | About 14 to 17 cents each |
| Frozen mice | Corn snakes, ball pythons | Priced by size |
| Prepared gecko diet | Crested geckos | One container lasts weeks |
| Calcium and vitamin powder | Most insect eaters | A few dollars a month |
Insect eaters need food several times a week, while adult snakes usually eat every week or two. Small costs add up over a lifespan of 10 to 30 years.
PetSmart’s 14-Day Promise
Reptiles at PetSmart are part of its Vet Assured program, which sets care and health screening standards for vendors and stores. Each care sheet includes the PetSmart Promise.
If your reptile becomes ill within the first 14 days, or you’re not satisfied for any reason, PetSmart will replace it or refund the price. Keep your receipt.
Our PetSmart return policy guide covers returns of supplies and other items.
Picking a Healthy Reptile in Store
Ask a store associate to show you the animal before you buy. A healthy reptile looks alert and reacts to movement.
- Clear, bright eyes with no swelling or crust
- Clean nose and mouth with no bubbles or discharge
- A rounded body, with no visible hip bones or ribs
- No stuck shed around the toes, tail or eyes
- A clean vent with no smearing
Ask when the animal last ate and what it eats. Starting on the same food at home makes the move easier.
Bringing Your Reptile Home
Go straight home and keep the carrier out of direct sun or cold air. Reptiles can’t warm or cool themselves well in transit.
Place your pet in its warm, ready enclosure and leave it alone for a few days. Hiding and skipping a meal at first is normal.
The First Month at Home
PetSmart recommends quarantining a new pet for 30 days, away from other reptiles. That lets you spot illness before it spreads.
Book an exam with a reptile vet within the first week. It gives you a health baseline while the 14-day promise still applies.
Handling Tips
Wait until your reptile is eating well before regular handling. Start with a few minutes at a time and build up slowly.
Scoop from below rather than grabbing from above, which feels like a predator. Never pick up a lizard by the tail, as some species can drop it.
Staying Safe Around Reptiles
All reptiles can carry germs like salmonella that spread to people. Wash your hands with warm, soapy water before and after touching your pet or its habitat.
Adults should help children wash up after handling. Reptiles may bite or scratch when stressed, so move slowly and support the body.
Common Beginner Mistakes
- Buying the reptile before the enclosure is set up and tested
- Using a heat source without a thermostat
- Skipping calcium powder for insect eaters
- Housing two animals together that should live alone
- Handling too much in the first week
Most early health problems come from temperature, lighting or diet. Getting the setup right fixes the majority of them before they start.
Reptiles and Children
Calm species like leopard geckos and corn snakes can be good family pets with adult supervision. An adult should still handle daily care and cleaning.
Health agencies advise extra care with reptiles around children under 5, because of the salmonella risk. Keep reptiles and their gear out of kitchens and away from food.
When to Buy
PetSmart runs reptile deals often, such as 25X Treats points on reptiles in store through October 18, 2026. Check the app for current offers.
Stock changes week to week. Calling ahead saves a trip if you want a specific species.
Reptile Questions
How much is a bearded dragon at PetSmart?
PetSmart lists bearded dragons at $79.99. Budget more for the enclosure, UVB lighting and food.
Can I buy a reptile online from PetSmart?
No. Live reptiles are listed as available in store only.
Does PetSmart sell turtles?
No turtles or tortoises were listed in October 2026.
What’s the easiest reptile for a beginner?
Leopard geckos are a popular choice. They’re small, docile and cost $34.99.
How long do PetSmart reptiles live?
It depends on the species. PetSmart lists 15 to 20 years for leopard geckos and 20 to 30 years for ball pythons.
Do reptiles need a vet?
Yes. Book a reptile vet exam in the first week, then yearly checkups.
What if my reptile gets sick after I buy it?
PetSmart will replace it or refund the price within 14 days. See a reptile vet as soon as you notice symptoms.
