What would you recommend for a "beginner" reptile owner?

Question

What would you recommend to someone who has never owned a reptile before?
(No snakes.)
Just curious, I'm not actually going to go out and buy one.

Answer 1

Leopard geckos or bearded dragons are amongst the best for beginners. They both require very specific care as far as size tank, temps, lighting, food, etc. If you can meet thes needs then they aren't too much trouble.

Iguanas and water dragons are much more difficult. A good website to check out is the forum section of reptile rooms. You can browse the various care sheets and Q&A's and learn lots about many many species!

http://www.reptilerooms.com/

Answer 2

You probably want something you can handle. All of these are good options.

*Bearded Dragons - Need 40 gallon tank, eats crickets, mealworms, and veggies, needs UVB light and heating (basking lights or heat mats work great)

*Uromastyx - Need 40 gallon tanks, eats veggies only, needs UVB light and intense heating (strong basking bulbs work)

*Blue Tongue Skink - Need 30 gallon tank, eats wide assortment of bugs and veggies, needs UVB light and mild heating (just heating pad works fine)

*Savannah Monitor - these get big, but they are very tame. They need an enclosure about 5'x2'x1'. That's about 74 gallons, but fish tanks usually lack floor space. They eat many insects and maybe a mouse when they are big.

For UVB, you need a light fixture and a bulb. 10.0 is the most intense and 2.0 is the least, must need 5.0.

Heat is found many ways. There are ceramic heaters. There are heating mats which you can stick to the bottom of an aquarium. You can also get a heating fixture (Fluker's Clamp Lamp is great) with a basking bulb.

Most reptiles eat live food. Few are strict vegetarians. If feeding crickets or mice is too hard for you, then don't get a carnivorous reptile. Uromastyx and iguanas are herbivores, but I do not recommend iguanas since they are very aggressive and hard to tame.

Answer 3

I chose a blue tongue lizard to start with, because they are easy. Then I went to a snake, more fascinating, less maintenance,and a bit of a challenge. Then I added some bearded dragons, more active than blueys,more sociable and love the attention. Oh, and I was so fascinated by the 1st snake, that I have added another, only carpet pythons though, I wouldn't go anything venomous. I chose reptiles because I have always had a fascination with them, they are just incredible creatures,and so variable. You can get 3 types of dog or cat, but they all eat the same, do the same. 3 different reptiles, 3 different lifestyles, food, activity, sociability,etc.

Answer 4

Turtles are definitely not starter pets..they require tanks up to 90 gallons large, a heater, dock, two light fixtures, two light bulbs..large filter and more...and don't use rocks-only dirties the tank and kills the turtle if eaten.

hermit Crabs are kind of like reptiles and easy to take care of...only need a ten gallon tank or you can g et an anole which stays relatively small.

Answer 5

There are many types of reptiles/ amphibians that make great pets. The best option a person can do is go to a reputable petstore, library or animal shelter and ask to speak to a person who is knowlegable about them. You can then talk to them and decide if you want a hands on/ hands off, small/ large, vegan, carnivor or omnivor type of pet. Whats easy to one person may be beyond the scope of another.

Answer 6

Russian tortoises are fairly easy to care for. I've had mine since April 1, 2007 and she's great. Very cute when she eats and they have different personalities. Next, bearded dragons are friendly and like to be handled. They need attention and become like small dogs when fully grown. Both need a heat lamp and UVB lamp. The tortoise only eats greens and veggies and the bearded dragon eats greens, veggies, crickets, and waxworms. NO MEALWORMS or REPTI-SAND.

Answer 7

I think a turtle would be great! just get a small one, get a tank, put some water and rocks in it, a little food, and washing it at least twice a week...... and you will be alright!

Answer 8

leopard geckos or fat tailed geckos all they need is a heat lamp (no UVB) 2 hides(one warm and humid one dry and cool ) and a 20 gallon tank

Answer 9

leopard gecko if you want ill give you a link just in case they rock i own one may be getting another
http://members.aol.com/msnick1/leopardgeckos.html
i trust this website its very good

Answer 10

a green anole....as a matter of fact if you are interested, you can come get them out of my yard....I never understood why people actually paid for those lil buggers