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

Quote:

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.

Linds · 10-10-04, 07:57 PM

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.

Nicky · 10-10-04, 08:11 PM

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.

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.

Linds · 10-11-04, 09:59 AM

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

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.