Snake or lizard?

youngster · 06-19-11, 04:04 PM

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 · 06-19-11, 04:11 PM

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 · 06-19-11, 04:16 PM

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 · 06-19-11, 06:08 PM

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

youngster · 06-19-11, 06:54 PM

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 · 06-19-11, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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

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 · 06-20-11, 12:13 AM

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 · 06-20-11, 04:21 AM

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:

Quote:

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.

Jay · 06-20-11, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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:

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

youngster · 06-20-11, 05:42 AM

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.

vendettaseve · 06-20-11, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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 · 06-20-11, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vendettaseve

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 · 06-20-11, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by youngster

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.

Gungirl · 06-20-11, 06:58 AM

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.

infernalis · 06-20-11, 08:14 AM

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

Garter Snakes Photo collection

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