Beginner friendly reptiles

CritterPoor · 05-28-12, 08:26 AM

Hello all,

I'm very new to this form still and have mostly been lurking and reading the different threads. I've loved reptiles since I was little with a particular soft spot for snakes, unfortunately, my mom was not a fan.

If all goes well *fingers crossed* my husband and I will be closing on a house in mid-June and I will, hopefully, have room to finally get a reptile or two. As much as I love the look of snakes, especially constrictors and especially, especially, balls & carpets, the idea of feeding mike kind of icks me out and the idea of possibly having to brain one. Don't even want to go there, so I'll leave that to people with a stronger stomach than I. Maybe someday.
Don't laugh! Sometimes I get sad when I prune my plants. And yes, I recognize that might say something about my mental health.

So onto other reptiles. I 'know' a few people online with leopard geckos and man are those things cute and colorful. Definitely high on my list. I've also been eyeing blue tongue skinks for a little while.

I know I'm asking a lot, but any suggestions on something that is:
~ Beginner friendly
~ Doesn't eat mammals (I'm just fine with feeding bugs and worms)
~ Bonus points if it's pretty and easy to handle.

Thanks!

Terranaut · 05-28-12, 09:18 AM

Adopt an unwanted bearded dragon. There are more of these than homes looking for one. Very easy to handle and they eat veggies and bugs.

alessia55 · 05-28-12, 02:21 PM

A bearded dragon or a leopard gecko are both good options

USMCgunner11 · 05-28-12, 02:46 PM

I second the bearded dragon recommendation. I kept them for a few years and I especially liked their calm demeanor

Fredricks · 05-28-12, 03:22 PM

Bearded dragons have tons of personality, and are a throw away pet to a lot of people. I'm sure you could find them very easily for free or through adoption.

Welcome, and good luck

StudentoReptile · 05-29-12, 08:27 AM

Personally, I love blue-tongued skinks. In my experience, they're not as stinky as bearded dragons, and they are slightly more forgiving in terms of husbandry and diet than most other lizards. They are docile, not as "hyperactive" as beardies and "durable" for handling.

One thing it is debatable if they require UVB lighting or not. My personal opinion is that with proper housing, heating (thermal gradient) and a well-rounded, vitamin-fortified diet, they don't.

Case. in point. "Baby Sinclair" raised from day 1 without no UVB and no access to sunlight. No symptoms of MBD or other deficiencies or maladies.

Toronto1977 · 05-29-12, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StudentoReptile

Personally, I love blue-tongued skinks. In my experience, they're not as stinky as bearded dragons, and they are slightly more forgiving in terms of husbandry and diet than most other lizards. They are docile, not as "hyperactive" as beardies and "durable" for handling.

One thing it is debatable if they require UVB lighting or not. My personal opinion is that with proper housing, heating (thermal gradient) and a well-rounded, vitamin-fortified diet, they don't.

Case. in point. "Baby Sinclair" raised from day 1 without no UVB and no access to sunlight. No symptoms of MBD or other deficiencies or maladies.

Awesome skink! If I ever decide to get a lizard, this will be the one! Thanks for sharing

CritterPoor · 05-31-12, 05:13 AM

Than you guys. This might seem like a silly question, but how would one go about finding a Bearded dragon for adoption?

Gungirl · 05-31-12, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CritterPoor

Than you guys. This might seem like a silly question, but how would one go about finding a Bearded dragon for adoption?

Craigslist , petfinder , check with local humane society or just google them in your area. Just be very careful with the one you choose to take home. You need to Quarantine it from any other reptile and be careful seeing as you have no idea what it might have been in contact with.

Terranaut · 05-31-12, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gungirl

Craigslist , petfinder , check with local humane society or just google them in your area. Just be very careful with the one you choose to take home. You need to Quarantine it from any other reptile and be careful seeing as you have no idea what it might have been in contact with.

Yup . What she said!!

shaunyboy · 05-31-12, 09:30 AM

hello and welcome

cheers shaun