PET REPTILE

[bobby]

hi im lookin for a pet reptile that doesnt grow to be too big and preferably is a vegertarian. i want to be able to hold it and it cant be so fast that if it gets away then i will never get it back. i dont want it to bite me and to be quite afectionate. I know that I'm fussy but i just wanted to know if anybody had any ideas about what i could get.

[wattso]

Hiya bobby, Reptiles on the whole dont like to be held and NONE of then can really be said to be affectionate ! Youwant a vegetarian so that rules out any snake(no insectivorous ones in oz, i think), perhaps a turtle might be what your looking for.
You can hold them
there fun
they wont escape quickly
and species Emydura are mostly vegetarian after a certain age(although hatchies and up to 1 year require worms crickets etc.
go see yahoo australian freshwater turtles and frogs site, they will tell you all you need to know! Cheers

[Alexahnder]

Maybe a bluey or shingleback

[Slateman]

I saw gregory handling berdies and they looked to me friendly and i think they can be good pets.
But nothing beets snakes. LOL I love snakeys best.

[python_guy85]

Bobby, a blue tounge lizard sounds like the kind of reptile your after. Having kept bluetounges myself for many years, i can tell you that with the right care, bluetounges can grow up to be a great pet reptile.

If you are able to, purchase a juvenile. By doing this, it allows the baby to become accustomed with being handled and is less likely to grow up wanting to take out a bite of you every time you handle it!

A cage 100cmLx45cmWx50cmH will be fine for a fully grown adult bluey. I use the recycled paper kitty litter as substrate due to it's ease for cleaning. Make sure a water bowl is present in the enclosure at all times and is always kept clean. At one end of the cage, provide a basking spot. I use a clip-on lamp with a 100 watt globe positioned onto a rock below and adjusted the lamp until i got a desired reading of approx 32-35 degrees C. If the enclosure is going to pe placed near a window, make sure to also provide shade and a shelter such as a log or hide cave.

I feed my adult bluey a varied diet consisting of banana, apple, dog food, snails, worms, crickets, grapes and pinkies ( baby mice, yes i know it might sound gross, but they love em). Feeding takes place in the enclosure on a dish every 2-3 days during summer and maybe only 1-2 times during colder months. Make sure any insects caught havn't come into contact with any insect killers ( baits).

A healthy bluetounge can be expected to grow to around 30cm ( head to tail). They are a great pet whose temperament and low maintanence make an ideal first reptile.

Hope this has been helpful

[gemima2]

Originally Posted by python_guy85

Bobby, a blue tounge lizard sounds like the kind of reptile your after. Having kept bluetounges myself for many years, i can tell you that with the right care, bluetounges can grow up to be a great pet reptile.

If you are able to, purchase a juvenile. By doing this, it allows the baby to become accustomed with being handled and is less likely to grow up wanting to take out a bite of you every time you handle it!

A cage 100cmLx45cmWx50cmH will be fine for a fully grown adult bluey. I use the recycled paper kitty litter as substrate due to it's ease for cleaning. Make sure a water bowl is present in the enclosure at all times and is always kept clean. At one end of the cage, provide a basking spot. I use a clip-on lamp with a 100 watt globe positioned onto a rock below and adjusted the lamp until i got a desired reading of approx 32-35 degrees C. If the enclosure is going to pe placed near a window, make sure to also provide shade and a shelter such as a log or hide cave.

I feed my adult bluey a varied diet consisting of banana, apple, dog food, snails, worms, crickets, grapes and pinkies ( baby mice, yes i know it might sound gross, but they love em). Feeding takes place in the enclosure on a dish every 2-3 days during summer and maybe only 1-2 times during colder months. Make sure any insects caught havn't come into contact with any insect killers ( baits).

A healthy bluetounge can be expected to grow to around 30cm ( head to tail). They are a great pet whose temperament and low maintanence make an ideal first reptile.

Hope this has been helpful

hi, i think a blue tongue would be a great idea, or many of the skink family. i personally prefer shingle backs, they have a realy kool and highly unique look to them. if u haven't had a reptile before then they are also great for a beginer and low maitenance. they will eat insects and any fruits and vegetables. like most reptiles u can controle how quick they move by there environments temp. good luck. i hope i have helped u.

[africancichlidau]

I reckon a Beardy is the go here.

[bobby]

where do i get one and how much are they, will it be able to climb out of a fishtank?

[dan_lizard]

Originally Posted by bobby

where do i get one and how much are they, will it be able to climb out of a fishtank?

Bobby - You need to find someone who's blueys have bred this year. Ask on this site, as I'm sure there are a few here.

As long as you do not have any branches near the top of the tank, they shouldn't be able to climb out. However, it might be a better idea to not use a fishtank, but rather a wooden (or moulded plastic) vivarium. This is because the blueys (or beardies, or shinglebacks, or whatever) will need UV, and it is easier to install a IV light into one of these. It is possible to put one on a fishtank though, so I guess it is up to you really.

[Nicole]

Bobby,
Welcome to APS, and wishing you many happy years of reptile keeping!
Also remember to checkout all the licensing requirements that apply to your state.

[Alexahnder]

one of my blueys seems to be pregnant. Also If given the opportunity the can grow very large very quickly-mine are 2.5 years old and are almost 50 cm long

[saikrett]

A fish tanks seems fine, that'll be the day when i see jumping blue tongues!
where abouts are you bobby?

[+Gecko~Gaze+]

Welcome to APS bobby! Personally, I think snakes are the best and most species are easier to look after than lizards (IMO), but if you want a lizard I would definatly go for a Beardy. Great little buggers, friendly and lots of fun to play with Or maybe an eastern long neck turtle? I dont have any myself but a friend at school has recently bought some and cant stop talking about them!

Best of luck!

[_popp_]

I think he asked for something that wasnt quik,last time i checked beardies were pretty fast so id go with shingles or bluies as i can run faster than them lol.

[+Gecko~Gaze+]

I only have 1 beardie ( barbattus..or however you spell it ) And he hasn't run out on me. I have only seen him walk but he's probably just lazy