Pet care - Microchipping or marking reptiles     Microchipping is carried out for reptiles (once over a minimum size) to identify individual animals. It is also a legal requirement if the animal is a protected species and is being imported or kept to be sold or used commercially. The RSPCA would advise that a reptile owner consult an experienced vet to consider the following criteria before a decision is made to microchip your pet reptile: species size condition Note: Never be tempted to oil, mark or scratch the shell of a tortoise or terrapin to help with identification. This can cause injury and infection. photo © Andrew Forsyth/RSPCA Photolibrary Back to top © RSPCA 2009. All rights reserved.