New stuffs

[TheBoogieDown]

So, I'm looking at getting a new herp (they are so much like tattoos, to me, that one just isn't enough!) But I'm not sure what I want to get. I'm pretty much a "noob" at this stuff, so I hope you all can point me in the right direction. My ideas were this: a garter snake (I really want a Neon Blue garter, hopefully infernalis can give some ideas and such), but I'm also looking at possibly green anoles, or a bearded dragon. Any thoughts on these things? I'm always looking for some input and maybe a "are you crazy? You noob, you don't want *insert herp name here*" So, let me have it!

[StudentoReptile]

My standard response is three questions:

1.) how much space do you have to devote to the new herp? Do you already have a cage/tank available?
2.) what kind of food do you want to deal with: veggies, bugs, or rodents? [food is always the biggest expense of any pet]
3.) is handling an important factor for you?

[rmfsnakes32]

I think if you have the time and finances a beardie would be good! From what I have seen they love attenttion! Good luck keep us posted with pics on what you get!

[Tango]

Ooooh, lucky you! Getting something new!!! :D

[MoreliAddict]

Rhino Rat snakes are good looking snakes that seem to fit the direction you're looking to go in.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/33/Rhynchophis_boulengeri_(1).jpg/800px-Rhynchophis_boulengeri_(1).jpg

[TheBoogieDown]

My standard response is three questions:

1.) how much space do you have to devote to the new herp? Do you already have a cage/tank available?
2.) what kind of food do you want to deal with: veggies, bugs, or rodents? [food is always the biggest expense of any pet]
3.) is handling an important factor for you?

This is a few weeks, perhaps a month or more, down the road. I'm in the initial stages of thought. As of right now, food wouldn't really matter so much, but if it ate rodents or bugs I'd more so okay with that. I do have an old 20 gallon terrarium available, although I might buy something new (as I've seen a lot of people talking about how terrariums are not the way to go). As for handling, my corn snake is pretty good about handling, he's never struck at me, so I could go for something that would enjoy being handled, but, at the same time, with a busy lifestyle I'm bound to have 5 years down the road (I think positively lol) something that is more of a "look, but no touchies" isn't a bad idea.

[TheBoogieDown]

Ooooh, lucky you! Getting something new!!! :D

Well, my roommates don't want me to get a fuzzy animal (I am DYING to get a Vizsla pup) so, might as well get the next thing on the list (which I can have) which would be a herp of some type.

[StudentoReptile]

Well, yeah a garter snake would do great in a 20-gal, as would most other smaller snakes (house snakes, corn snakes, ribbon snakes, rosy boa, sand boa, children' python...just to name a few).

Lizards that stay on the small side: fire skink, Schneider's (Berber's) skink, sandfish, Mt horned dragon, leopard geckos, African fattailed geckos, heck, most any gecko would do fine (you can always turn the tank up on its side for arboreal species).

[rmfsnakes32]

Right now snakes are what fit in my lifestyle they dont require near the amount of work to take care of as a beardie or any lizard for that matter and certain species of snakes dont require as much handling such as a ATB just food for thought!

[TheBoogieDown]

I thought about the turning it on it's side. I'd have to get a new lid, most likely. One like I have now that sits flush (if that makes sense). Also, I was looking at the anoles, and are they communal? Also, I was at the chain pet store here, and it looked like one of the anoles was dead (I mean, he was lying on his back, completely motionless with his legs stuck straight in the air) and when I brought it to an employees attention they said "naw, he's just sleeping" and walked away. I was quite sad.
Also, sandfish look cool as heck haha.

[TheBoogieDown]

Right now snakes are what fit in my lifestyle they dont require near the amount of work to take care of as a beardie or any lizard for that matter and certain species of snakes dont require as much handling such as a ATB just food for thought!

I was thinking snake. Because I'm studying to be a radio DJ, and that means I'll be at work for ridiculous hours (from what I've talked to other DJs about) so, I'm hoping that I can get something that wont mind me ignoring him (other than water changes, and feeding) for days and when I have time handling him and such.

[StudentoReptile]

Anoles can be communal, but you probably need something a little larger than a 20 long. Definitely don't two males together either.

[TheBoogieDown]

Yeah, I'm afraid of getting something like that, I'd prefer not to have any of my animals get into turf wars.

[TheBoogieDown]

Also, can someone PM me a good site to get herp type stuff. Unfortunately, the herp stores around here are few and far between (if any at all, I haven't seen 'em)

[Kingsnakechris]

Check out amazon dot com. They have everything

[StudentoReptile]

You'd be surprised what you can find at Lowe's, Home Depot and Tractor Supply as well.

But yes, set-up an Amazon account. Nearly anything you can find at a pet store can be had on Amazon for half the retail price.

[TheBoogieDown]

You'd be surprised what you can find at Lowe's, Home Depot and Tractor Supply as well.

But yes, set-up an Amazon account. Nearly anything you can find at a pet store can be had on Amazon for half the retail price.

I've had an amazon account for years. Just never thought to look for herp stuff there. I guess it makes sense as they do have everything there lol

[StudentoReptile]

I buy most everything there now: light bulbs, undertank heat pads, temp guns, commercial diets, even cages! Had a 36" glass terrarium shipped straight to my door from Amazon. Cheaper than buying it at the pet shop.

Bedding, materials for building cages, dome light fixtures, etc, I get at those other places I mentioned.

[TheBoogieDown]

I buy most everything there now: light bulbs, undertank heat pads, temp guns, commercial diets, even cages! Had a 36" glass terrarium shipped straight to my door from Amazon. Cheaper than buying it at the pet shop.

Bedding, materials for building cages, dome light fixtures, etc, I get at those other places I mentioned.

I should probably stay away from BUILDING my own cages... I'm pretty terrible at building things haha

[StudentoReptile]

You'd be surprised what you can accomplish when you set your mind to something (and when saving money is a motivating factor!). I have never considered myself very adept at this kinda stuff, but as I've matured and have become familiar with tools, basic electricity and wiring, etc etc...I've found that building a cage isn't that difficult. Just takes a little time, but if you do it right, it can save some $$$. It does help to have some work space (in my case, a nearly vacant 4-car garage) at your disposal.

Of course, a lot depends on the species you're building cages for. I keep mostly turtles and tortoises, and I don't have to worry about making enclosures "airtight" to prevent tiny lizards or snakes from squeezing or climbing out.

Here's a couple helpful links, in case you ever want to tinker around with building a custom cage for one of your beasties.

Cage Building Tips (http://www.arbreptiles.com/cages/tips.shtml)

Herpers toolbox (http://www.arbreptiles.com/cages/cages.shtml)

[Kingsnakechris]

Lol I've been working on one for months and months but ran out of extra cash so I had to set it down for a while. I'm turning an old dresser into an enclosure and also building some outta plywood and plexi. Its not as difficult as you would think.

[Pareeeee]

I have my Rosy Boa in a 20 gal, flipped onto its side with the snap-on metal barred lid as the front. It works perfectly for him.

[Ragnar]

Snakes seem to be the cats of the reptile world, very low maintenance and not a lot of requirements for them to thrive. Lizards, on the other hand, need much more of a time devotion through out the week, taller enclosures, expensive lighting and humidity set ups, etc. The positives of having a couple of cool little anoles is they tend to be fairly active, running and jumping all over, so they are fun to watch. As a kid I'd catch green and brown anoles and keep them just for a few hours to watch them feed. I'd throw moths and such in their temporary vivs and the crazy lil guys would literally jump off the branches to capture them in mid-air. It was pretty entertaining! But you have to ask yourself if they would be worth the time and money investment to you, or if a simpler garter snake that wont do all those acrobatics but is easy to care for is a better fit.

[Pareeeee]

Lizards require more devotion - usually - unless you get a Crested Gecko. They have to be the world's easiest pet, lol.