Quote Originally Posted by chrisdab View Post
Why do I always hear how it is important to clean your hands after handling reptiles like my ball python, yet I never get an explanation as to why it is important. What makes reptiles different than mammals like dogs and cats. Rats are unhygienic so I can see why one should clean after them. I dont see all reptiles as being unhygienic though.
Rats are not unhygienic given proper living conditions. They are naturally very clean animals that groom themselves as frequently as cats and most designiate an area of their cage as the toilet corner. Now if they are crammed in a tiny little tub and forced to stand in their own feces and urine all day, then they may be unhygienic; but that's not really their fault, is it?