First Reptile Pet

[Horse Lover]

To know them is to love them. If you do get a snake I highly recommend a corn snake as a first snake. They don't get too big and as far as snakes go they are about the easiest.

As others have stated chameleons aren't easy and should not be a starter reptile. I absolutely adore them and someday hope to have one.

I've never had a leopard gecko or a bearded dragon either.

I would like to say that iguanas are generally very popular because when you see them in the pet store they are small, cute, and extremely cheap. But I highly advise you to NOT get one. They grow to be very large lizards and they need a WHOLE LOT of space. They are also very very expensive to maintain. Sadly the majority of iguanas either die young because of improper care or they end up in an iguana rescue.

Good luck finding your pet.

Yes, at one point in my life I was reading a book and I happened to find Iquanas, then I did my research, I figured they are too big for me right now! But they do look wonderful! If we got a snake, how big of a tank? I will do some reseach right now!
Thanks

[CathyBogart]

If we got a snake, how big of a tank? I will do some reseach right now!
Thanks

That depends on the species too. Rosy Boas are my personal favorite beginner's snake, and they're happy in a ten gallon. Corn snakes should have around 40 gallons IMO, but my aunt's lives in a 20 and he seems happy and healthy. (he gets lots of "out and about" time)

[Horse Lover]

Well, I did a bit of research on snakes and I came upon this really cool website with nice cages/ aquariums! its http://www.customcages.com/ but they are pertty expensive for me! Any how how big are the Boas you mentioned? I gotta do reseach soon!
Thanks!
And do you think its cheaper to buy a aquarium or make one? Just wondering , I highly doubt I will make one but just asking!

[Suki Wingy]

You have already gotten a lot of good advice, but I kust wanted to tell you a little bit about the Schneider's skink. If you can find them, they make good pets. I have had one for 11 years now. They are very easy keepers, love hot sand tanks, and mine lived in a 10 gal, then a propper 20 gal long. They are nice to look at but don't enjoy too much handling. They eat live crickets and a small bit of fruits/veggies.

[Horse Lover]

You have already gotten a lot of good advice, but I kust wanted to tell you a little bit about the Schneider's skink. If you can find them, they make good pets. I have had one for 11 years now. They are very easy keepers, love hot sand tanks, and mine lived in a 10 gal, then a propper 20 gal long. They are nice to look at but don't enjoy too much handling. They eat live crickets and a small bit of fruits/veggies.

Hmmm, I will do some research on them , thye sound pretty nice But, I actually have never seen them in petstores... where did you purchase yours?

[IRescue452]

A Uromastyx. They need a big, dry cage, no messing with any humidity. Vegetables only- no live food needed. They get fat and about a foot long plus tail. My sister has two, they are easy keepers. I am usually afraid to hold the little lizards because they go so quick and seem so fragile. With the uros they just sit in our hands, they aren't quick enough to get away anyway. She's got two bearded dragons that are pretty tame but I still worry about them getting out of my hands and they have skinny tails and legs that I'm afraid to pick them up. They don't climb either.

[Horse Lover]

WoW! Thanks everyone! There are so many pets to look at! I'll for sure find the perfect one for my family!
PS: I just realized HERMIcrabs are EXCELLENT escape artist I lft them for like 5 minutes in a box and I couldnt find them for 2 hours!

[Horse Lover]

Do you think anyone could post a pic of what their aquariums for whatever reptile they have if possible? If I get one of these pets I want something to look at to make sure the aquarium has everything it needs and looks Ok. I get confused on websites.. I get freaked out when getting a pet because even if I read a LOT about them, I still worry about home their homes will be like ! So if possible please post pics Thank-You

[Horse Lover]

Ummm, We looked at the petsstore today and there was a baby beardie pretty small! I was wondering If I could use repti-carpet (i think its called) for substrate or what? And since I must feed them crickets, do they HAVE to be live crickets? Or can I get already dead( ) crickets and get this little thing that shakes the food so Its vibrating?

[shihtzulover850]

I once had a turtle I don't know a whole lot about them though so I don't know if they would bee right for you!

[Suki Wingy]

But, I actually have never seen them in petstores... where did you purchase yours?

At a crappy little petstore in Chicago. I've actually seen them at Petsmart every few months. Also a little shop called The Fish Bowl. I think buying her orginally cost about $30.
Just keep in mind Uromastyx can be quite expensive (Over $100 to purchase)

[CathyBogart]

Well, I did a bit of research on snakes and I came upon this really cool website with nice cages/ aquariums! its http://www.customcages.com/ but they are pertty expensive for me! Any how how big are the Boas you mentioned? I gotta do reseach soon!
Thanks!
And do you think its cheaper to buy a aquarium or make one? Just wondering , I highly doubt I will make one but just asking!

Nice website, the cages are a bit pricey for me too. As for making VS. buying...um...I think it would be cheaper to make one if you knew how, but not by a whole lot.

Rosy Boas stay under 2 feet long generally. Here's a typical Rosy Boa(baby):



Ummm, IRescue452, all Uromastyx are OMNIVOROUS, and they do need some live food in their diets.