It may seem like a dumb question, but I'm doubtful about getting an iguana because I've heard that one bit a lady's finger off- don't know how true that is, but I know they can get very aggressive. I don't want to have to be afraid of it biting - if it does bite I want to be sure it can't do damage. I do want a lizard, so I was wondering if the the ones I mentioned above are much better to go with? (keep in mind I would be a first time reptile owner) Thank you!
2007-02-07 03:07:31 · 11 answers · asked by vmp009 1 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
Beardeds are generally very tame but I've noticed then can be more aggressive when not eating enough insect protien. I've seen some pretty nasty Blue Tongue skinks in my time and they are kind of 50/50 on temperment. I don't know about an Iguana biting off a finger but an adult 5-6 footer can send you to the emergency room because even the tamest ones can just freak out sometimes. I would go with a Bearded Dragon, especially for a beginner.
2007-02-07 05:04:25 · answer #1 · answered by Jaffar 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
If you are a first time reptile owner, stay away from iguanas. It's not that they are dangerous, but they get very large and do NOT make good beginner pets...
I can recommend either a beardie or a blue tongue. A bite from either one would probably hurt, but you'd survive... Both species are pretty mellow and not quick to bite anyway. I've worked with many, many beardies, and own a blue tongue... Can't go wrong with either, though I personally prefer a blue tongue... More personality.
2007-02-07 05:06:40 · answer #2 · answered by snake_girl85 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The only reptile I have experience with is a Leopard Gecko. My brother has one. Only thing is they're nocturnal, but if you want to mess around with their internal clocks you can turn on a light at night and keep their cage dark during the day. I've heard bearded dragons are easy too. Besides, iguanas get to five feet. Although. I've heard of them getting to seven feet long. You'd need a pretty big cage for them.
2007-02-07 06:01:26 · answer #3 · answered by Jacob 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Iguanas cannot bite your finger off. In fact, their best defense is their thick tails. Any lizard that you get will need to be handled with regularity to ensure that they do not become aggressive. Iguanas do require a lot of care and a lot of space once they get large--there are no pre-fabricated cages that are large enough. Bearded dragons are great first-time lizards. And as long as they are handled a lot, they are extremely tame. Skinks can be tame as well, but generally not as friendly as bearded dragons.
2007-02-07 03:25:09 · answer #4 · answered by Stephanie H 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Bearded dragon is the best for a beginner. I have 2 and never have been bitten. Just make sure you do all your research on what you need. Handle them a few times a day and you will have a best friend.
2007-02-07 03:12:24 · answer #5 · answered by KathyS 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Bearded Dragons are easier to look after and can be handled a lot more .. blue tongues can be very skitish
2016-03-18 01:43:19 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They have little tiny very sharp teeth. It pinches, hurts and you will bleed (if they are adult) but they can't bite your finger off (perhaps a rodents fingers) but I've had a poorly socialized iguana clamp onto my fingers at a pet store. It hurt, I bled, I disinfected the wound, and I healed. I've never seen a female iguana that is properly socialized bite a human. Male...they get a little crazy around breeding season.
2007-02-07 10:54:34 · answer #7 · answered by moabmusher 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
well when an iggy is aggressive it usually whips you with its tail not bite you. they don't usually bite I owned a beardie never got bit I have got bitten by my iggy but it didn't hurt I was hand feeding him and he just like grabbed my finger it tickled didn't hurt. I have owned the iggy for 8 years and that only happened one time mine is pretty tame but I do get bitten by my monitors and snakes all the time and a good monitor bit Is definetly pretty painful.
2007-02-07 13:12:01 · answer #8 · answered by jason c 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Blue Tongue Lizard Bite
2016-10-03 07:57:45 · answer #9 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i had 3 of them growing up and was never bitten. i got then when they were babies and they grew to about 3 feet from head to tip of tail. make sure you handle them alot and don't frighten them when you pick them up. however they will swat you with their tail and it does sting but like i said they do this when they are threatened
2007-02-07 03:26:11 · answer #10 · answered by Mz. Tanning Bed Junkie! 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋