Calling all Reptileologists

cowasaki

cowasaki

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My youngest son wants a reptile for Christmas (he is 15). He has wanted one for years so we have decided to let him have one this year.

So the question is....

What kind of scaly green knarly creature is ideal as a starter? I take it I just need a big glass box, thermostatically controlled heat source, creature and food. Anyone know where would be a good place to look for these?

Thanks in advance......

(I'm asking now as I like to do a bit of research before I dive into something, I'm not buying if quite yet because its not Christmas yet!)
 
I was lookig into this the other year, and from what I was told, I would go for a Bearded Dragon.

Here is a good LINKY
 
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How long was that piece of string again ? :D
I think yo need to first figure out what type of reptile he would likeyou would like

Snake or lizard ?

Boa's can get exceed 2 meters but are for the most part
placid
corn snakes rarely exceed 1 meter and are placid
Royal pythons rarely exceed 1 meter and are placid but a right pain in the
ass at times (feeding wise)

If you go for a snake don't forget that you will be feeding them on mice or rats
( dead that is) some pets shops sell them you may breed your own and then have to kill
it ( live feeding ( birds mammals is illegal in this country)

There are so many different types of lizards on the market
most eat insects
Crickets and locusts are readily available on Flea bay
some eat " pinkies" ( very small mice or rats)

The larger that Vivarium the better
build one out of faced melamine with sliding glass doors
buying one will cost a fortune
lighting
"True light" or natural daylight tubes are the best
"black light" is another alternative
Ceramic heat lamps( well shielded) controlled via a thermostat
are the order of the day
specialist reptile shops can supply all your needs
but mostly it can be sourced through fleabay at a reasonable cost

our very own Stuart H is a mod on here

http://www.captivebredreptileforums.co.uk/
Have a wander around there is a lot of useful tips and tricks
and also a for sale section to give you an idea of prices


This one is quite useful also

http://www.reptileforums.co.uk/
That should get you started
Anything else feel free to ask :thumbs:
 
Thanks,

... definitely lizards.

I will check those sites.
 
Congratulations on your intended purchase.....

I was surprised at how big bearded dragons actually get - the ones in my local pet shop are about 6" long for sale but the girl in the shop told me that they can grow to about 2' (not sure if that's right or not) - I still think they are pretty cute though

My only recommendation would be to handle it as often as is possible - makes life much easier

oh and locusts are much easier to catch (and quieter) than crickets :lol:
 
rubber duck said:
oh and locusts are much easier to catch (and quieter) than crickets :lol:
Click to expand...

True enough but did you know you can now buy "silent crickets"
( yes really, check fleabay if you don't believe me)
A God send :thumbs:
 
hmm, I once purchased silent ones but I had a stray noisy one or five in there LOL - they're also great escape artists and gave me the heebie jeebies all the time they were alive - locusts are much easier to handle !
 
cowasaki said:
Thanks Cobra....

http://www.captivebredreptileforums.co.uk/say-hello/26384-hello-all.html#post291018

We have just realised that his computer desk would make a sizable vivarium. Its 70cm wide 60cm tall and 50cm deep and made from melamine. Just need to put a back on it and sliding doors then heater......
Click to expand...


Glad to have helped :thumbs:
( I am Sioux on there but don't post anywhere near as much as I should)
Don't forget to seal the joints with mastic as it will get humid / damp water spills etc in there

( and then vent for a few days to get rid of the smell )
 
Cobra said:
Glad to have helped :thumbs:
( I am Sioux on there but don't post anywhere near as much as I should)
Don't forget to seal the joints with mastic as it will get humid / damp water spills etc in there

( and then vent for a few days to get rid of the smell )
Click to expand...

Excellent cheers. I have had to tell him because we can now spend the next few months getting the vivarium perfect and looking up all the relevant info.

He has a picture on his wall of a lizard he really likes:

lizard.jpg


Any ideas what this is? If you do have then have you any idea if they are suitable for a beginner and how much it is likely to cost?

Its frames so the scanner got it out of focus :)
 
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Its a Gecko but no idea which one sorry
If he wants to handle and play with his new captive then I think that
really he would be better off with something a little larger
( these things run up walls and even glass BTW )

But if he is just looking to study / watch it then it would be fine
I'm a little out of touch price wise but if you check out the second link I sent
that forum has a pretty good classified section ( better than the first IMO

Edit a quick search and I think that its a "green day Gecko"
 
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as above, if he wants to watch and study them then Anoles and gecko's are a great option. I used to have 2 house gecko's, 2 green anoles and 2 brown anoles and could sit and watch them for hours.

if he wants something to handle then something larger would be better, although I did manage to get one of my green anoles hand tame without too many issues, time and patience was all that was required...... oh and some food :)
 
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