Snake or lizard?

[youngster]

Well. im most likely going to get a snake. cause i love them. but i just want to know which would cost more in total, (tank food etc.)? a sav or a small colubrid probably a milksnake? thanks ahead of time. oh and whats a good first snake?

[reptile65]

A savannah monitor is definitely going to be a lot more expensive in the long run than a small snake. They need large enclosures, which will be more expensive. They are also more expensive to feed than a snake.

I'd recommend a corn snake as a first snake. If you get a baby, you can start off with a 10 gallon tank and move up to a 20 long (or bigger if you want) as it grows.

[brylecc1989]

Kingsnakes are really low maintenance and usually tame down pretty well. They usually TOP OUT at 5 feet so theyre not much to handle. Also I don;t know what your size limitations are but i got a Coastal Carpet Python for my first snake. Practically no humidity requirements, and a sweet feeding response make this snake an awesome pet but coastals max out around 10 11 feet. However males are generally smaller, and different breeds of carpets (like jungle or irian jaya) often stay smaller topping out around 8. I have a kingsnake, coastal, and a boa. Any more questions man feel free to PM. First snake is so exciting!!!

[infernalis]

A Savannah Monitor would be a huge undertaking.. massive cage requirements, huge electric bills and they eat a ton of food.

[youngster]

okay im getting a snake. probably a milk. but i love ccps. i would 8 ft would be the biggest i could go. ill look it to a carpet

[vendettaseve]

okay im getting a snake. probably a milk. but i love ccps. i would 8 ft would be the biggest i could go. ill look it to a carpet


At your age mate, Id suggest a Corn. Nothing against you, but they tend to be a little more fun to play with and less prone to panic.

Of course theres going to be 3 posts following mine that say milks are cooler than corns... so consider this a personal opinion.

[infernalis]

Milks are not "cooler" than corns, A corn snake is less likely to bite or musk, are easy to care for, and if life changes (all young peoples lives change constantly) it will be easier to find a new home for it.

One thing younger people have to consider, If you plan on college (university) in the future, a big reptile will not fit the plan for you... after you graduate, have a job and live in your own place, then by all means, go big.

[whoaxmary]

I'd definitively go with a corn snake for a first. They are pretty energetic, mine loves to climb and to burrow. And then they come in sooo many different morphs. North American Colubrids are fairly easy to maintain, and corns are a pretty decent size for a first snake.

Or maybe Wayne will send you one of his hyper garters. ;p jk.

EDIT: ne thing younger people have to consider, If you plan on college (university) in the future, a big reptile will not fit the plan for you... after you graduate, have a job and live in your own place, then by all means, go big

Very good point. ;/ I'm about to go to college myself, and even though I am bringing all my pets with me to my apartment, it's made it a hassle. No living on campus (I never really wanted to though) no roommate to help with rent, and it's hard to find a building that allows cats, large dogs, and reptiles. lol.
Just a few small issues I'm running into already with nothing like a sav to think of.

[youngster]

yeah i dont know. i dont really like corns that much. i like garters though. theyre common where i live. and i homeschool so thats not a problem. and i really dont care if i get bit by a little colubrid.

[Gungirl]

All I can say is do a lot of research on whatever it is you choose to get. Make sure that you know all you can about the animal you are giving a home before you get it. Think about the basics Time, money, room and experience how much do you have to work with? I would also think your parents have a fair amount of say ....... Talk to your parents and see what there thoughts are.

[Jay]

I'd definitively go with a corn snake for a first. They are pretty energetic, mine loves to climb and to burrow. And then they come in sooo many different morphs. North American Colubrids are fairly easy to maintain, and corns are a pretty decent size for a first snake.

Or maybe Wayne will send you one of his hyper garters. ;p jk.

EDIT:

Very good point. ;/ I'm about to go to college myself, and even though I am bringing all my pets with me to my apartment, it's made it a hassle. No living on campus (I never really wanted to though) no roommate to help with rent, and it's hard to find a building that allows cats, large dogs, and reptiles. lol.
Just a few small issues I'm running into already with nothing like a sav to think of.
I would be your roommate. lol

[infernalis]

Garters are gaining popularity, Most people never even thought of colour morphs in thiese awesome little snakes.

Garter Snakes Photo collection (http://www.thamnophis.net/Gartersnakes/index.html)

Have a look at that photo gallery, those are my garter snakes.

[vendettaseve]

yeah i dont know. i dont really like corns that much. i like garters though. theyre common where i live. and i homeschool so thats not a problem. and i really dont care if i get bit by a little colubrid.

Its not really the biting you have to worry about with Milks. Its the horrible smell and slime. And most of them generally dont really want to "play" with you. Corns on the other hand will wiggle all over you for hours and mess around without getting stressed or trying to escape generally.

I can wear my friends corn as a belt, infact the snake prefers it that way.

[youngster]

Its not really the biting you have to worry about with Milks. Its the horrible smell and slime. And most of them generally dont really want to "play" with you. Corns on the other hand will wiggle all over you for hours and mess around without getting stressed or trying to escape generally.

I can wear my friends corn as a belt, infact the snake prefers it that way.

thanks. that helps. cause i really love handling snakes and the smell might be a problem in my house

[vendettaseve]

thanks. that helps. cause i really love handling snakes and the smell might be a problem in my house


They dont smell all the time. Just when they musk, which is usually every time you pick them up till they get comfortable with it, and that is usual an if so I hear.

[whoaxmary]

yeah i dont know. i dont really like corns that much. i like garters though. theyre common where i live. and i homeschool so thats not a problem. and i really dont care if i get bit by a little colubrid.

I never thought I'd be a fan either, 'till I got one. :)
And even though you homeschool now, there will be other issues that arise with a large scale pet. Remember some of these animals live 20+ years, you need to think waaaaaaaaaaay into the future, and being younger (I mean myself to - at 19 not just you) so many things can happen and change, it's a huge commitment to think about. Not saying you an't do it, just think whatever pet you want over hard and good.

And as mentioned, musking is something brutal. lol. My corn only ever musked once, in her enclosure, on the way home. She loves to climb over my fingers while typing, or through my hair while I walk around. (She's a tiny girl)

I would be your roommate. lol
Wanna move to Kingston in August/ Sept with me? ;P

[vendettaseve]

Wanna move to Kingston in August/ Sept with me? ;P

Count me in, We can get bunk beds and have Reptile Slumber Partys.

[stephanbakir]

Make sure to practise safe herping:P Dun wana let your scaly friends get any bugs from someone else's animals :)

[vendettaseve]

Make sure to practise safe herping:P Dun wana let your scaly friends get any bugs from someone else's animals :)

Hey, I always practice safe herps.

[whoaxmary]

Hey, I always practice safe herps.

I just fell off my chair laughing...I think it's too early for me to be awake. o.o

[youngster]

yeah ill get a corn snake. after some research i like corn snakes more. i just like milksnakes. theyre colorful

[vendettaseve]

yeah ill get a corn snake. after some research i like corn snakes more. i just like milksnakes. theyre colorful

Milks have awesome stripe patterns and stuff. but you can get a real wicked corn pattern and colours too for not alot. :3

I like almost all the different morphs out there, my favorites being the ones with the real dark checkering on the belly.

[whoaxmary]

Mhm, there's a HUGE variety of morphs with corns.
I have yet to completely decide on what genes my yellow, pink, white, and lavender baby is.
http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x354/whoaxmary/ruby003-1.jpg
You can't see very well in this picture but she has white and lavender around her saddles which I think is really neat.

[reptile65]

Mhm, there's a HUGE variety of morphs with corns.
I have yet to completely decide on what genes my yellow, pink, white, and lavender baby is.
http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x354/whoaxmary/ruby003-1.jpg
You can't see very well in this picture but she has white and lavender around her saddles which I think is really neat.

She looks like a very beautiful snow to me, but I'm no expert.

[youngster]

Milks have awesome stripe patterns and stuff. but you can get a real wicked corn pattern and colours too for not alot. :3

I like almost all the different morphs out there, my favorites being the ones with the real dark checkering on the belly.

yeah i like snows and i saw this intense one called lavender snow. it was white with the faintest hint of lavender purple. its was amazing