Ackie, BTS, or Frillie?

[boosh96]

I'm thinking about saving up for a blue tongued skink, an Ackie monitor, or a frilled lizard. What I'm looking for is a cool and intelligent lizard that I could interact with. Cost isn't the only concern I have, but it is a concern nonetheless. I hope it goes without saying that I'm going to consider any new addition VERY carefully and all that good stuff. So, what do you all think?

[smy_749]

Intelligent and Cool that you can interact with --> Ackie.

Blue tongued skinks are lame in my opinion so Its a biased vote. Tiny legs, funny looking body, slow....

Frilled dragons aren't definitely a bit more look don't touch. They can be a bit feisty.....

[Zoo Nanny]

The biggest problem you may run into is the personality of any animal you take on. Some are interested and some are not. My BTS could care less if I'm there but will watch my bird or the tv. He's very gentle and is curious about what's going on around him but really doesn't want to interact. I've met other BTS that are complete opposites some are very interactive with people and others want nothing to do with people and will bite to avoid interaction. I can't comment on the ackies or frilled as I've never worked with them. What would you do if the animal you got didn't want to interact?

[Lankyrob]

I have had a frilly and an ackie, the ackie was verey sociable, could play fetch with him and really easy to look after. The frilly was a total psychopath, couldnt dare put him down or he would be off, would bite and tail whip at every opportunity.

Obviously this is only one animal of each species so no proof of anyhting really :)

[boosh96]

The biggest problem you may run into is the personality of any animal you take on. Some are interested and some are not. My BTS could care less if I'm there but will watch my bird or the tv. He's very gentle and is curious about what's going on around him but really doesn't want to interact. I've met other BTS that are complete opposites some are very interactive with people and others want nothing to do with people and will bite to avoid interaction. I can't comment on the ackies or frilled as I've never worked with them. What would you do if the animal you got didn't want to interact?

I'd still give it the care it needs and deserves. I have to say I'm more prepared for a defensive Frillie or Ackie than a defensive BTS.

[smy_749]

I'd still give it the care it needs and deserves. I have to say I'm more prepared for a defensive Frillie or Ackie than a defensive BTS.

What does this mean?

[poison123]

I had a Frilly and he was an a** lol. Very pretty lizards though.

[boosh96]

That means I'd still care for the animal and give it the space it wants. What I meant by that, is that I'd be willing to care for any lizard I get, even if it is defensive, but it seems like I'd be more likely to wind up with a defensive Ackie or Frillie than a defensive BTS.

[smy_749]

That means I'd still care for the animal and give it the space it wants. What I meant by that, is that I'd be willing to care for any lizard I get, even if it is defensive, but it seems like I'd be more likely to wind up with a defensive Ackie or Frillie than a defensive BTS.

Frillies are the more likely to be aggressive, ackies more likely to be skittish, and BTS more likely to not give a s***.

I still think what you describe, is 100% bearded dragon. Especially since you haven't kept these advanced species before, and beardies are most likely to enjoy being held. I feel like you just don't want one because they are so common and you want something a bit more unique :P Give it a try. Get a few beardies, I don't think you will be disappointed. Even if you do get a tame ackie, they are very active species, they won't be doing any "chillin" typically.

A beardy will sit on your shoulder and fall asleep in your lap...

[boosh96]

I've kept Beardies in the past, and I'll have to agree that they're just awesome lizards. However, I like the idea of an active lizard even more than the idea of a "chillin" lizard. I also like the idea of an Ackie because of the intelligence Varanids are known for. But heck, I may consider and wind up getting a Beardie. Who knows?

EDIT: I may wanna add that, yes, I also kinda like the idea of a more exotic lizard than a Beardie. :P

[smy_749]

Why not get an argentine tegu?

[boosh96]

Why not get an argentine tegu?

I'd LOVE an Argentine tegu, but I'm concerned about the long-term cost, as well as the space requirements and stuff, of keeping a BIG lizard.

[smy_749]

Ackies and frillies aren't cheap food wise either :P unless you get a big roach colony.

[StudentoReptile]

Ackies (from what I could gather) are just a mini-monitor, almost like an Uromastyx that eats insects.

I've had frillies before. Very skittish, and can require a lot of vertical space as well as horizontal space.

Personally, I love BTS. They are very forgiving captives, they are a little laidback, but great for tolerating handling. You can even potty-train them to a degree.

IMHO, ackies may be the best option of your three choices: they are likely to be the most intelligent, interactive, and not TOO demanding on housing/care. Frillies can be great display lizards, but they require a lot of space and don't take excessive handling. BTS are easy to care for, but are almost like ball pythons with legs when it comes to intelligence/interaction.

[smy_749]

Ackies (from what I could gather) are just a mini-monitor, almost like an Uromastyx that eats insects.

I've had frillies before. Very skittish, and can require a lot of vertical space as well as horizontal space.

Personally, I love BTS. They are very forgiving captives, they are a little laidback, but great for tolerating handling. You can even potty-train them to a degree.

IMHO, ackies may be the best option of your three choices: they are likely to be the most intelligent, interactive, and not TOO demanding on housing/care. Frillies can be great display lizards, but they require a lot of space and don't take excessive handling. BTS are easy to care for, but are almost like ball pythons with legs when it comes to intelligence/interaction.


I guess its not just coincidence that I also hate BP's lol

[boosh96]

Do any of you have experience with Colombian tegus? I mean are they interactive?

[boosh96]

:crazy:I guess its not just coincidence that I also hate BP's lol

*Gasp* Blasphemy!

[poison123]

What kind of columbian tegu?

[boosh96]

What kind of columbian tegu?

Whichever one makes a better pet, I guess. I have to say I'm not really well-versed regarding tegus beyond their care.

[boosh96]

I'm thinking I'm going to save up for an Ackie. It'll take a while and I may change my mind, but I just can't get enough of the idea of having a little monitor-I don't really care if it winds up being an interactive pet or not. It's still one of the awesomest lizards ever in my book, and it deserves the best home I can provide it with. :D

[monitorlizard]

What kind of columbian tegu?

Whichever one makes a better pet, I guess. I have to say I'm not really well-versed regarding tegus beyond their care.

There are only two kings on columbian tegus gold columbians and black and white columbians. Tthey are both localities. Other than their colors, they are identical in every way.

They tend to be extremely defensive and skittish.

[franks]

If you decide to go with a frillie, I would suggest getting one as young as possible since they do take alot of work to calm down. Awesome looking display animals, but they do take alot of work (not that there is anything wrong with that.) How much space do you have available to make an enclosure? I guess that would be the million dollar question.

[Little Wise Owl]

There are only two kings on columbian tegus gold columbians and black and white columbians. Tthey are both localities. Other than their colors, they are identical in every way.

They tend to be extremely defensive and skittish.

This seems to be the common assumption. If you check out some Tegu forums and ask some reputale keepers, you'll find that there are many Colombian Tegus who are just as laid back Argentines. I believe their bad rep just comes from the fact that almost all of them are WC.