View Full Version : Which snake? lizard?
Black_Panther
10-10-04, 10:06 AM
Though I have kept (and still keep) frogs, I am totally new to reptiles. I am interested in getting either a lizard or a snake (I like them both!) but seeing as I'm new, I'm not sure what to get. I'm looking for something that won't be too difficult for a beginner, isn't overly expensive to buy/take care of, can be held, and can fit comfortably in a forty gal. long glass terrarium. If it's a snake, I don't want anything that gets much longer than three feet max. I like to do a lot of research on any pet before I buy it, so I don't want to walk around the petshops and buy anything on impulse...
Anybody have any ideas?
Kevin McRae
10-10-04, 11:00 AM
I think any blue tongue skink species would be a good choice, they get around 2 feet, can be handled with ease and are slow moving.
Maybe a colony of leopard, pictus or african fat tail geckos would be good?
A 40 gallon would be too big for most snakes 3 feet and under though...
Black_Panther
10-10-04, 04:18 PM
I'll probably go for the skink... however, I also have a free thirty gallon if there's any good snakes out there...
AtlanticReptile
10-10-04, 04:37 PM
leopard geckos would be a good choice for a beginner, as far as beginner snakes somthing along the lines of a ball python or corn snake would be good, however a 30 gal may be too large for a baby snake. Although whichever new addition you decide to choose, proper research on the care of the animal be done.
Nick
Atlantic Reptiles
damzookeeper
10-10-04, 04:46 PM
Kenvin, I'm fairly new to snakes too, can I ask why a 40 gallon is to big for snakes that are 3 feet or under? Are you speaking hatchlings and neonates or adults as well? I'm building cages soon and I want to make sure I give the right amount of space. What would you give your adult ksb for floor space. I'm building 3x1.5.1 for my cages is that big enough for the adult corns and milks? will it be alright for the sand boas since they are so much smaller? My balls are getting 4 foot long cages as well. Thanks, any input would be appreciated.
Deb.
Black_panther, I'd go with a blue tongue too, but I"m kind of bias as I have 4 of them and want at least 2 more. lol. uromastyx are another great lizard to start with, and for geckos I have to say fat tails are my favorite and you could have a 1.2 or 1.3 in there. You could also look for info on kenyon sand boas or hognose snakes. I wouldn't call them beginner snakes but they are awesome snakes and I'm a beginner and find them fairly easy to care for. Sometimes feeding response is an issue with my ksb but so far he hasn't gone more than 3 weeks without eating if i give in and give him live fuzzies. Little bugger! He is only a year and still fairly small.
If you decide to go with a snake I'd use the 30 gallon and look for a sub adult. Even though corns can get much larger than 3 feet you really dont notice it believe me! I thought I would but I don't really, I even added some ball pythons to my collection and I love them as well. Snakes are very fascinating creatures and most are much more gentle than people think as long as you respect their needs and learn to read their body movements. My little hognose will let me know when she want to be left alone by hissing at me. It's kind of cute, wouldn't want to be bit by her though. lol, so when she is cranky (usually during shed or if I catch her unexpectedly) I keep the handling to a minimum to none. Other times she is as sweet as sugar. :)
K, I'm rambling now so I'll leave. lol, pumpkin pie is calling me anyway. :)
btw Happy Thanksgiving all!
Kevin McRae
10-10-04, 07:31 PM
Deb, I was told this buy numerous people, they say that the snake needs to feel secure, so give them a smaller cage.
I have my adult ball python in a 50 gallon, and he is doing alright though.
damzookeeper
10-10-04, 07:49 PM
Originally posted by Kevin McRae
Deb, I was told this buy numerous people, they say that the snake needs to feel secure, so give them a smaller cage.
I have my adult ball python in a 50 gallon, and he is doing alright though.
Huh, and all this time I was afraid I wouldn't give them enough. lol. At present I have my corns in blanket boxes and they just seem too small. They are fairly big bins but once the snake is in. lol. the dementions are on the bottom of the picture. But they will be going into 36x18x12 cages in the near future. They should be fine in those dementions? Or should I keep it small. They are mostly in there hides anyway. lol. I'm alwasy pulling them out for pictures, handling, feeding, you name it. These two were my first snakes. :)
http://www.reptilerascals.com/corn2004-09-06%20046.jpg
http://www.reptilerascals.com/corn2004-09-06%20044.jpg
Black Panther,
I agree leos might be a good choice. Not too many snakes fare well in tanks, due to their inability to hold heat and humidity. Desert species, as well as anything that would otherwise be ok in the room's ambient temp and humidity, are the best choices.
Deb,
There is no such thing as 'too large for the snake', however, there is too large for the keeper. The larger the enclosure, the more densley packed you must make it, to give the snake security. You may have problems finding your snake for general maintanance (cleaning, feeding) in such a setup. I keep my desert boas in shoeboxes or sweater boxes. The pics you show are the most practical by far in captive keeping.
Another cool snake choice you could consider is a garter snake. I've heard they are very good biggner snakes and very active as opposde to corns and balls ( i own both ans they aren't usually out much at least not compared to a garter). I wouldn't put a baby garter snake in a 40 gal tank though as babies seem to get stressed out very easly if they are into big of cage. The 30 gal would probably be ok as long as you offered at least 4 hideboxes as you have to rember how nervous baby snakes are. Or simply go out and buy a 15 gal and when its older switch it over. As for docility they are supposde to be great holding snakes and shouldn;t musk you once its used to you which shouldn;t take long with some gentel holding sessions. different garter snakes get different lengths but most max out around 3 feet where as ball pythons and corns get anywhere from 4-6 feet ( 6 feet is usually rare and only seen in huge females.) Since no one else seemed to suggest these awsome little guys I just thought I'd drop a line about them.
whatever you end up getting just rember to do your research and most of all enjoy your new pet!
Kayla
damzookeeper
10-10-04, 08:13 PM
wow, linds, I thought maybe they were too small though. lol. So, maybe I should make a rack system instead of the 10 cages. I would have much more room that is for sure. :D What do you advise? I like the rubbermaids because they are so easy to clean and move about but I thought the cages might let them get more exercise. But would they really use it or would they continue to hide in their boxes eithor way? Thanks in advance. Guess I may be doing some more designing soon. lol.
justinO
10-10-04, 08:22 PM
Being as my personal preference leans towards the boids over the colubrids, i'd recommend a spotted/childrens python.. small, docile and easy to care for.
just my $0.02
cheers,
Justin
madison.s
10-10-04, 09:05 PM
WOW, No one has even touched on Bearded Dragons......they are very easy to care for, are very handable and eat crickets and vegs they make the best starter and even greater pets. You can get some many different colours. I would also say that Leopard geckos are the best starter to for alot of the same reasons. they are very easy to care for. I have many and they do very will. For snakes a sandboa or ball or maybe even a spotted/childs python would work. but with a 40 gal you might want to go with a colony of leopard geckos or maybe a dragon or 2.
Black_Panther
10-11-04, 05:03 AM
Yeah, I think I'll do some research on bearded dragons and ball pythons as well, and maybe figure out what a uromastyx is...I like to do a lot of research on any pet before I get it, which is why I'm not asking you what to do with something I just bought and don't know about. I hate it when people buy animals on impulse.
40 gallon is much too small for a Beardie, which is why I'm sure nobody has mentioned them yet, as well as most ssp. of uromastyx. Lizards require much more room than snakes do, so a 40 gallon doesn't leave you open to anything more sizeable.
Deb,
I just reread your post, 3' for corns seems to work well, as they are more active than most boids tend to be, and will utilize the space a bit better. You could still go with rubbermaids and go larger than blanket boxes, underbeds are great unless you wanted more height. A 3' or 4' cage however, is pretty much overkill for the inactive sand boas and balls. I have my remaining bp in a 3' underbed and he pretty much just wastes the space. Sandboas just spend all their time burrowing in substrate, so it might be a bit hard to keep track of them :p
madison.s
10-12-04, 08:45 PM
You can start with a 40 gallon tank dragons take time to grow so you have lots of time to get another tank if needed,not all dragons get hugh. I have seen full grown that are not that big, and with having snakes to they need room as if they are not in a big enought space they dont grow will either,thats just my opinion but i think that a dragon would be good or a spotted python.good luck with whatever you choose to get, i am sure what you choose you will take care of and care for.
40 gal to small for a SINGLE beardie?? I don't agree...... whats a 40 gal, 36x12x18 high? you can house a single beardie in that, beardies tend to be semi-arboreal as well, 18" of height gives you room to put in a nice big semi tall piece of driftwood... It would be cozy, but if its well fed, and exercised its certainly not inhumane.
Well, I say this everytime, crested geckos! easy to care for. Where are you at black panther??
Mike
damzookeeper
10-13-04, 05:19 AM
cresties are some of my absolute favorite geckos, but I wouldn't advise them for beginners and if he wants something he can handle alot I also wouldn't advise them. I'd go with fat tail geckos if he's looking for something to handle, or if he want's color a nice tangerine leo colony. I still think a corn snake is one of the best starter snakes though. :) And I've found with the balls many of my friends are afraid of thier heads, if he doesn't want something too big, I'd go with a corn or a kenyon sand boa.
A ball python's head is the cutest head out there
Mike
damzookeeper
10-13-04, 11:01 AM
Originally posted by Ptindy
A ball python's head is the cutest head out there
Mike
I can't agree with you more. I love my bps. :D I've been getting them used of being pet on the head too. It's so cool. :D
madison.s
10-14-04, 08:16 PM
I agree with you about the balls, I just got one that has some spin problems but is doing great, just as a pet ofcourse not a breeder. will really she is my daughters,she fell in love with her so we took her home and we are hoping that she will be fine. I think so she eating and is nice and fat. I would go with either a dragon or a ball maybe a corn or spotted python.
RepTylE
10-14-04, 11:11 PM
I smiled when you said that you would research a few animals. With all the tons of reference material and of course good sites like this for info, you should be able to make an informed decision. When it comes right down to it, it's a matter of personal taste as to what is best for you. Glad that you take the time to do your homework before purchasing any new animal. Whatever you decide on, best of luck and enjoy :)
Black_Panther
10-15-04, 03:51 PM
I personally do NOT like geckos. At least not fat tail geckos. I HATE the way their tail looks! (They are nice, I'm not saying they aren't--just a personal opinion, I know it's stupid). Oh, and by the way, it's not a forty its a fifty. I got it from a friend so I wasn't sure 'til I found fifties on sale a store that are exactly like mine. So make that a fifty!! (sorry) I would LOVE a Ball Python (I also have a 30 gallon that could work). My only problem would be feeding it live mice... after owning gerbils for several years in the past, I'm a bit squeamish about that. I'm thinking about a Mali Uro...but I can't stop being attracted to the bp even despite the mice!
Um
Suggestions?
KMHerps
10-15-04, 04:46 PM
Get a blue tongue, there awesome:)
RepTylE
10-15-04, 08:54 PM
What are your feelings about feeding frozen mice or rats? I have a soft spot for pet rodents but mice and rats don't get to me like hamsters and gerbils do.
I would recommend feeding f/t anyway.
Black_Panther
10-16-04, 09:10 AM
Frozen I can do. But what if I end up with a snake that will only eat live mice/rats?
ChunkyMunky
10-16-04, 09:32 AM
If you do decide to buy a snake, buy it from a reputable breeder. If you go with a ball python, try to get one that is well started and already feeding on frozen thawed. This way you will not run into the problem of having to feed live. Also, if you house it in the 50 gal. make sure you provide multiple hides, which in fact will decrease the chance of feeding problems in the future. Take care, and best of luck with choosing your new reptile.
Dan.
concept3
10-16-04, 09:41 AM
pictus geckos? I have a breeding trio of pictus geckos and you could house 4 in that tank. they are easy to care for and if you are intrested in breeding they are the perfect animal. They lay 1-2 eggs every two weeks for 6 months. They are hardy, huge appetited lizards, awsome looking and breed so easely they are a great experience for any new herper. But whatever you decide to get good luck and keeo us posted
Black_Panther
10-16-04, 11:12 AM
I've been looking up Ball Pythons and after reading about the best ways to kill a mouse and buying gerbils to feed them :eek: (I used to breed gerbils!) I think I've decided to go with a uro...they eat veggies.
Any way I go, though, I will buy from a breeder; I absolutely WILL NOT buy a captive bred animal of ANY sort!!!!!!!!!!!
ChunkyMunky
10-16-04, 04:25 PM
"Any way I go, though, I will buy from a breeder; I absolutely WILL NOT buy a captive bred animal of ANY sort!!!!!!!!!!!"
Don you mean you won't buy wild caught animals? Captive bred is what you get from breeders.
madison.s
10-16-04, 07:03 PM
Uros are great to, I have a pair and they are so cute and they eat veggies and crickets every now and again. they are so lazy tho. good luck.
Black_Panther
10-16-04, 08:21 PM
Originally posted by ChunkyMunky
"Any way I go, though, I will buy from a breeder; I absolutely WILL NOT buy a captive bred animal of ANY sort!!!!!!!!!!!"
Don you mean you won't buy wild caught animals? Captive bred is what you get from breeders.
OOOOOPs.:o Yeah, um. I mean. WILD CAUGHT! I won't buy any WILD CAUGHT!!!:o :D :D
Ummm.
ALRIGHT!!! I've decided I want a Mali uromastyx. Anybody know a reputable breeder?
ChunkyMunky
10-16-04, 08:36 PM
Where do you live?
RepTylE
10-17-04, 10:53 PM
Support your local breeder :D
Make sure to check out:
www.deerfernfarms.com
for care info!!!! And they are a VERY reputable breeder, tho not sure if they ship to Canada.
And definitely check out http://www.gillardsherpscanada.com/ who are mali breeders here in Canada, and also post here on ssnakess. Nice people, and nice animals. :)
Good luck and if you have any uro questions, post them in the general lizard forum below!!! :)
vBulletin® v3.8.7, Copyright ©2000-2025, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.