Never had reptiles as pets before - suggestions, please?

Question

I've been entertaining the idea of getting some reptiles as pets - I've always been fascinated by them - but I admit I don't know all that much about them.

What would be a good FIRST reptile to get as a pet?

I don't have a tremendous amount of space for a tank - so it/they would have to be OK with a smaller tank. Something that isn't too expensive and is rather simple to take care of.

Maybe someday - way out in the future - I'd be ready for some pets that are more complex - but I'd like to start my reptile hobby with something ultra-easy.

Thanks!

Answer 1

Here's a great page of Beginner Reptiles. It lists Leopard Geckos, Corn Snakes, Bearded Dragons, and Blue Tongued Skinks and gives some basic info about all of them.

http://www.kingsnake.com/rockymountain/RMHPages/RMHbest.htm

Answer 2

If you just want to have cool to look at animals, then anoles are okay. But if you actually want to handle them, they are really twitchy and very quick, and VERY good escape artists. I wouldn't recommend them as a beginner level herp.

Corn snakes are good for starters. You can get them at a reptile show for $10-30. The tank and set up are going to cost you more than anything else. The biggest tank you'll need for a corn would be 20 gallon. You might be able to get one at a thrift store or on freecycle for cheap or free. make sure you get a good lid. Corns are escape artists. They eat one frozen thawed prey item a week. ($1-2 each) They need an under the tank heater, a hide (plastic bowl with a hole cut in it will do) substrate, (I use aspen shavings) and a water dish big enough for the snake to soak in if needed. (a bowl will work just fine for that too)
My 8 year old is going to be getting a Bearded Dragon in the spring, but they take a bit of work. They eat a wide variety of food, and have to have certain conditions at certain times.
Leopard geckos are nice.
There are lots of really cool reptile pets. I would suggest going to a reptile fair and looking at a WHOLE bunch of them before you decide. Do some research on two or three that you are really interested in, get a tank with a good lid, and go from there. The animals and the habitat supplies are usually cheaper at the reptile shows than anywhere else I've seen. I highly recommend that. That's were I got my snake. She was $10, and I got most of her habitat items that I didn't already have for at least a third less than any I have seen new online or in a pet store.
Pet co and Petsmart both have really good care sheet listings on their websites, even for animals that they don't carry in their stores.
Good luck. We are really enjoying our reptiles here.

Answer 3

If you want a lizard you should get a bearded dragon or a skink since they are pretty hardy...beardeds have a lot of personality too....if you want a snake a sand boa or a corn snake would be good since they are docile and stay pretty small....I would stay away from a Burmese python or an iguana since they get really big..chameleons need alot of work....

Please do not get an anole most are too small and too quick, I can go outside and get a dozen....they are considered "new world "chameleons as opposed to old world like the veiled.....most people say get a snake it eats crickets when the majority eat mice so that is too much of a blanket statement....I have snakes, lizards, turtles and hermit crabs.....you will do best with a hardy snake or lizard...there are many good ones to choose from like monitors, agamas, chameleons basilisk, uromastics and on and on...I mention the bearded because they are cool to look at and very personable and very popular...snakes are good because they can be very easy to take care of and live for 20 or more years, most lizards do not live that long...well good luck, go to a pet show if you get a chance...also go to kingsnake.com to learn about reptiles and they also have care sheets, go over them....petco has care sheets and a check off to see if you could manage the pet.
oh and all reptiles have the chance of carrying salmonella especially turtles

Answer 4

corn snakes are a very easy to care for and are a simple reptile to keep. they eat dead mice and make good pets. when they are babies they will need a 10-20 gallon tank and when they are adults they will need a 30-40 gallon tank. if you would like more information on corn snakes then type in "corn snakes" into google then you should get a lot of useful websites which should help. hope you find this useful!

Answer 5

How about a house gecko?
Or a corn snake?
Would you call owning bugs (spiders) a part of this? They are real simple, and the more exotic ones are very easy to care for.
The ball python is real easy to care for, do not get real big either.
Just remember if you get talked into at the pet store for a iguana that they do get big and do spread salmonella, causing the poisoning of some people who do not realize this and let it roam the home....
Good luck, do a lot of independent reading (do not trust all pet stores, they are out to sell, sell, sell). If you notice some people are rather gong ho for the type of critter they have experience with or own, I am no different :0)

Answer 6

corn snakes are extremely well pets. get a small 10 gal. tank w/ a lid., a heat lamp(dont use a rock. the snake might get wet, crawl on the rock and fry), sand, something for it to crawl in or under jus make sure its ruff so when he sheds. ok when u get him, let him set it the tank for two to nine days without messing with him.(still feed him), cornsnakes will eat dead babey mice, or very small crickets. dont mess w/ him if he hasnt ate in 3-6 days, or if he is about to shed or just shed. feed him once a week. they are very docile reptile. keep the temp in the tank between 75 and 82 degree F. thats a bout it. Good Luck

Answer 7

the terrific reptiles for novices are Leopard Geckos (they are nocturnal and don't require lots) Bearded Dragons and a pair different not so person-friendly geckos. those you prefer to circumvent once you're a newbie are Iguanas and Chameleons. They the two require ALOT of care and complicated artwork. And the Iguanas can get rather massive and area is a huge element you could think of roughly. they are in a position to additionally get very aggresive. you could start up out with a novices lizard then as quickly as you recognize all there is to appreciate approximately keeping one then do study on the greater solid ones. The animal itself does not often fee lots its the climate and enclosure, I agree. Thats why its superb to not pass out without caution and purchase each thing you opt for then and there. First week purchase the enclosure (or build) then next get the lighting fixtures fixtures and then the decorations. And purely shop getting each thing you opt for over a volume of time then it does not devour up all your funds at as quickly as. It took us 2 months to get our chinese language Water Dragon because of the fact of ways spendy all of his stuff became into yet we've him and we are chuffed we waited it became into good to make amends for study too. Any questions approximately this pass forward and email me its on my Q&A website. wish I helped

Answer 8

To start out, I'd recommed a turtle. They are low maintenance and you can let them run around your place. Just provide a "corner" with a water dish (like a cake pan) and a saucer for food (lettuce, tomatoes, bananas, corn, green beans, berries, etc.) Reptiles are cold blooded so are the temperture of their surroundings. You can easily warm them up by holding them against you and they like to sun themselves. Beware...turtles are much faster than their reputation would have you believe. It is possible to lose a turtle if you let them wander away from you outdoors. Hope this helps.

Answer 9

i would go for anoles there small and easy to take care
Common Name: Anole - Green

Other Common Names: none listed

Scientific Name: Anolis carolinensis (Full Taxonomy)

Group: Anoles

Origin or Range: North America

Relative Size: Smaller Than Average
(as compared to other lizards)

Average Lifespan: 5 year(s)

Compatibility: Relatively Non-Aggressive
(as compared to other lizards)

Category: Reptiles » Lizards


Animal Description:
The Green Anole is an extremely popular pet. They are sometimes called "Chameleons" because they can change color a little, but they are not true chameleons.

Green Anoles are quite shy, though some may become tolerant of handling with exposure to gentle caretakers, though they normally object to being handled unless they are handled frequently. They are active lizards and usually do well housed in groups of one male to one or more females. As is true with all reptiles in captivity it is best to try to mimic their natural environment. In the wild, they generally are arboreal and can often be found on basking on walls and fences. Green Anoles will require greenery, shade, and a moist environment. Use a large wire cage with live, edible plants for best results. Temperatures should be set at daytime temperatures of 30 degrees Celsius over the basking area to 25 degrees Celsius in the cooler shady areas. Nighttime temperatures should be decreased to a range of 18 degrees Celsius to twenty-three degrees Celsius. A high level of humidity should also be maintained. In the wild the Green Anole eats small insects and spiders. In captivity, feeding should consist of a balanced diet consisting largely of insects; some may also eat meat and small amounts of fruit. Some keepers also recommend sprinkling food with vitamin powder. For watering, spray the leaves of the plants and then they will drink in this manner. The average life span of the Green Anole ranges from 2 to 7 years.

At maturity, Green Anoles will grow to a length of 5 to 8 inches. They are slenderly built, with a long, narrow head and a tail. Their tails are so long that they can be up to twice the length of their bodies. They are seen in several colors including, gray-brown, brown, and various shades of green, though most healthy males are bright green when non-threatened. Their colors depend largely on their environment and mood and will change depending on where they are kept and what conditions they are kept under. The male Anole also has a large pink fan of skin on its throat, called a dewlap. This is used for courtship rituals and when showing territoriality. It should be noted that some individuals may have white or blue dewlaps. They can climb and walk on almost all surfaces and they have fragile tails, which separates from the body if it is grabbed. This adaptation allows them to escape from predators.

The Green Anole is commonly seen in the Southeastern United States and in South America.


Specific Care Information: Relative Care Ease: Relatively Easy
Anoles should be exposed to full spectrum UV lighting for about 13 hours a day. Many anoles do not drink water from a dish; instead they lick water droplets from leaves. It is important to recognize this when setting up a captive environment. Many will set up misting systems or sprays, which allow water to fall upon leaves mimicking dew drops or rain.

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Answer 10

Many snakes are pretty easy maintenance. Corn snakes and ball pythons are good for beginners. They stay reasonably small and tend to have a good temperament.