Aussie Pythons and Snakes

Horsy · #1 31-May-07, 08:35 PM

Since my snake passed away I've been saving for a new enclosure (the one my snake was in now holds my frogs). We were at the pet shop today and I saw some turtles and I've always wanted them but wasn't allowed. Mum said "This time around you can either get another snake or two turtles but you can't have both" so now I have to decide. If I got another snake I'd probably go with a MD or Coastal.
What are your opinions?

cris · #2 31-May-07, 08:38 PM

turtle

MrBredli · #3 31-May-07, 08:40 PM

I'd go with a turtle, but they are far more costly to set up and maintain.

Horsy · #4 31-May-07, 08:42 PM

I do love snakes though. Especially when they are huge. And when we move house we are moving to a farm so we'd have a pond/dam that I could buy and keep some turtles in..it's hard to decide.

mrboajangles · #5 31-May-07, 08:42 PM

i have had a turtle i find them over rated!!!
Snakes are a lot less work!!! and easier to feed etc

peterjohnson64 · #6 31-May-07, 08:42 PM

get a pair of Mary River Turtle hatchies

cyclamen · #7 31-May-07, 08:42 PM

guess it all depends on what you want.
i have 3 turts , 1 murray and 2 saw-shelled. they are great to watch and do have alot of charecter. but you cant really hold them and interact with them alot.
i dont hold any of my snakes just for pure enjoyment anyway. but u can interact with them on a different level.
people say turtles are messy and smelly. but i think thats crap. i have 3 in a massive tank with a super filter pump thingie and i just emptied it out cause we moving and the water was still really clean with no poo at the bottom. so if u go with turtles. get a good pump. decisions decisions..

peterjohnson64 · #8 31-May-07, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrboajangles

i have had a turtle i find them over rated!!!
Snakes are a lot less work!!! and easier to feed etc

I NEVER feed my long necks as they eat feeder fish that breed themselves. I am afraid that my snakes are a lot more work than that!!!

Hoppa1874 · #9 31-May-07, 08:44 PM

i wood pik a snake.. must less drama.. and a cool pet..

Horsy · #10 31-May-07, 08:44 PM

Yeah before I got my reptile license back in the day I wanted a turtle which was the reason I got my license. I spent about 6 hours one day researching them so I know ALOT, especialyl sizes and food variations and things like that so I am aware how big they get.
But I love both of them! Arbok was really good for me because she was such a friendly, easy-going snake. I loved that in her..hmm what to get!

cyclamen · #11 31-May-07, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterjohnson64

I NEVER feed my long necks as they eat feeder fish that breed themselves. I am afraid that my snakes are a lot more work than that!!!

yep i am with PJ on this. my turtles are way less work than all my snakes. everyday i spend an hour with the snakes refilling water, picking out crap. fixing what they have knocked over or whatever...
turtle takes me 2 mins to check on em.

and they have lots of feeder fish, and gold fish and stuff to eat when ever they want.

MMAnne · #12 31-May-07, 08:45 PM

It depends what you want from your new pet. I have never had turtles, but I believe snakes are better with handling. If you want a pet you can handle and (in my opinion) is great to watch, go with a snake, but if you want a pet that is beautiful to watch but not the best to handle, go for a turtle.

I personally like snakes better. Turtles are beautiful but snakes are too and I like to be able to handle and hold my pets. If I could have both, I would definately get turtles, but if I had to chose I would go with a snake.

But in the end, it is your decision. Do you want something different this time round (like a turtle) or do you think you would enjoy another snake more?

Horsy · #13 31-May-07, 08:47 PM

So the water doesn't get very dirty and need changing often if you just have a good pump?
My dad had a huge aquarium full of fish and he used to get a guy in once a month to completely clean it all for about $40. I was thinking of doing that but if you don't need too..
How often do you do a water change? Even just a 25% or 50% change?

Horsy · #14 31-May-07, 08:48 PM

Quote:

But in the end, it is your decision. Do you want something different this time round (like a turtle) or do you think you would enjoy another snake more?

The thing is, I want both! Haha. My snake was so beautiful and a real gem to handle but what if my next snake isn't? It could put me off alot. Hmm. I hate decisions.

cyclamen · #15 31-May-07, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Horsy

The thing is, I want both! Haha. My snake was so beautiful and a real gem to handle but what if my next snake isn't? It could put me off alot. Hmm. I hate decisions.

i usually do a 50% water change every month. and maybe every 3 months i empty it out completely. but each time i do it. its still spotless. turtles eat the fish poo. they are real vacuums. lol. they eat anything they can get too.
a good pump is the way to go. it shoots my smaller turtles about a foot away if they get infront of it. its pretty powerful. but the big murray can swim right up to it now.