Reptile choosing problem getting to me??!?

Question

Im getting really frustrated about getting a reptile!!

I dunno which one to choose!

I had thoughts about a leopard gecko but theyre nocturnal which isnt that good for playing or holding with since thayre half awake.

Beardies are cool but im gonna have to keep it in a huge plastic tub since thats all i can it house with!

Please help me,im very desperate if any of you can possibly list some reps that i can have fun with and not just looking at,for beginers and doesnt need a huge tank,it would be very helpful,answer even if alot of people have,i just need as many ideas as possible ty!

Oh and would it be ok if i house a lizzard in a plastic see-through tub?(huge)

Answer 1

All I can say is a leapard gecko is your best bet. If you turn off the light for about 20 minutes then the gecko will wake up and will not be cranky when you hold it. If your tub is at least 55 gallons, or has equal floor space as a 55 gallon tank then you can house a bearded dragon in there its whole life.

Good luck!=)

Answer 2

A turtle.... :3

Answer 3

i would suggest kingsnakes, cornsnakes, rosyboas and garter snake. they are all diurnal and love to be handled and play. they are all easy to take care of and rarley every bite. iv been biten twice by my kingsnake. but that was when he was flighty. he is now calm and a greatpet. and all of them can be housed in a plastic bin that is well ventalated.

Answer 4

The plastic container is not a suitable 'house' for your reptile.   One of the important parts of care for the animal is stripping down and disinfecting its home, and everything in it every few weeks.  Plastic will hold residue/fumes which can be toxic to your pet.  A glass reptile tank is the best 'home' for your pet (reptiles tanks are not meant to hold water, but have more floor/bottom space where the animal actually lives, than a fish tank, which is designed for side area to display swimming fish).

You will also need a separate small tank to move the animal to while its habitat is stripped and cleaned.

Hides, moisture hides, water bowl (areas of high use by the animal) need to be cleaned every 1-2 days, and any time they are soiled.  If your reptile illiminates in its water bowl, immediately remove the bowl, and disinfect it before rinsing well, drying, and refilling with declorinated water.  Wiping the messy water out of the bowl with a paper towel, or dumping it and rinsing will not suffice to kill the bateria.

Lizards are NOT easy to take care of, unless you have researched the animal of your choice thoroughly and have learned what all their needs are.  Each species requires a different temperature, humidity, light requirement, etc., based on the area of the world it originates from, and whether it's a noctural or diurnal reptile.

I always recommend that first time lizard owners get a male.  Most females can produce eggs, even if they are never with a male, and can get eggbound (unable to lay the eggs).  This leads to expesive vet bills, or even death.

Reptiles are not social animals in the wild, but they can tame down to tolerate human handling.  As mentioned by your other posters - they are not a cat/dog/hamster/ferret.  They must be handled gently (in the case of a lizard, using great care not to break off the delicate tail where they store fat reserves).

All animals can bite.  If you have a fear of being bitten - I suggest you refrain from getting a pet entirely.  Especially a delicate lizard you are able to injure if you flinch and drop or fling it, if it does bite.  Most lizards, when they are stressed or upset - bite and clamp.  They hold on.  It's necessary to allow the reptile to calm down and release you.  This could take a minute.  If getting bitten upsets you - then I don't recommend a reptile of any kind as a pet.

Also, if you get a lizard - never use sand or loose substrate for it.  You will read a billions tons of contradictory suggestions/advice for this, but - simply ask your vet.  I have yet to find a vet which recommends sand/loose material as substrate for lizards.  Most lizards are best kept on aged newspaper, paper toweling, or plain white paper.

I spend entirely too much of my time rehabbing impacted animals (the ones which CAN be saved, after expensive vet bills, and much care).  Do NOT put you lizard on sand at ANY age.  It most often ends in death, if the animal gets inpacted, and it's a slow, terrible death for the poor thing.

You will also (if you still think you want a reptile) need to do some research on gut loading insects before they are fed to your pet.  Reptiles', especially lizards', diet is very, very important.

I hope this has been helpful.

Answer 5

I would suggest that whatever you do get please dont treat it like its a cat or puppy. reptiles can be easily stressed and if you try to handle it 24/7 that is exactley what will happen and stress can lead to death. Im not saying not to handle whatever you get at all just do it at a happy medium for you and your new reptile. Bearded dragons are great for beginners and are easy to handle.

Answer 6

stick with the bearded dragon or leopard gecko. they are both very easy to care for. dragons need at least a 40 gallon tank. focus on which one, then focus on getting piece by piece all the stuff you will need. which is reptile carpet easy to clean and cant be eating. a heat lamp for the proper all in one light bulb, themonitors and a light source. plus their house and low water dish,etc. you will need to do it right befor you buy the pet to make sure he lives a long happy life. id go with the gecko if space is a factor, he is good in a 20 gallon.

Answer 7

Let me start by saying that ANY animal can bite you, so don't rule something out because of fear. We have turtles, a lizard, and 2 snakes and love them all and I would recommend any of them. But...reptiles are not for "playing" with like you would a cat or a dog.

They also require specialized care, so make sure you can provide them a suitable habitat BEFORE you bring one home. They all need a heat and light source because they are ectothermic and can't regulate their own body temps. Our turtles just have a basking spot light. The plastic see through tub is not a suitable enclosure for ANY reptile.