PET owners wanting to keep exotic reptiles are warned of the dangers of having too-small accommodation.

Darren Kwee, pet store manager at the Golden Days Garden Centre at Bradley Fold, says that owners don't always realise that cute reptiles can grow from six inches to four feet in length -- and live up to 16 years!

In the wilds of Florida and South America, these friendly reptiles feed on crickets and insects when young and spend their days sunbathing.

In Bolton households, these reptiles, bought for around £120 apiece, freely roam conservatories like traditional houshold pets.

Reptiles like Iggy the Iguana -- farm-bred in South America and currently residing in the Garden Centre in Radcliffe Moor Road -- are increasingly popular with children of all ages. This is due to their dinosaur appearance and friendly character, explained Darren.

The danger lies in their owners failing to recognise that such cute little pets outgrow their accommodation in a matter of a couple of years, he stressed. "These reptiles are suited to a large house," added Darren. "And they need UV lights situated no more than three feet away."

They also need heat mats, non-toxic plants and a large cage to simulate a tropical environment.

Regular handling from a young age will tame the iguana providing it is farm-bred.

Wild iguanas are more vicious and are not recommended for pets because they still have parasites and their age is often unknown.

Iguanas feed on a bowl of fresh fruit and vegetables a day. They also need calcium supplements dusted on to their food to improve their bones which in the wild would be assisted through the sun's UV rays.

They are reasonably easy to look after, said Darren, providing their owners are knowlegeable about reptiles and they have the room to accommodate such a potentially large pet.

If not, then a gheko -- a kind of little lizard -- is a more realistic alternative for younger children, needing similar care but remaining smaller in size.