Need suggestions for my empty 40gal breeder tank...

[TropicalAquarist]

Hi All,
This is my first post here, it looks like a friendly community! I'm part of a few other online forums(cat, dog, and an aquarium forum), so I have a bit of experience navigating the site, but any pointers are appreciated.

I have 2 Leopard Geckos, and had one Beardie(passed last year, of old age...)

I'm looking for a reptile/amphibian for my empty 40gallon breeder tank, but I have a few specifications:
-No snakes(a couple of family members have snake phobias)
-Preferably not another Beardie or LG
-The tank is not water tight....
-A reptile that like to be handled.

Money is not an issue, and I gave access to several reptile shops, so I should be able to get my hands on most reptiles.

Thanks in advance!
Dav

[JoshSloane]

With all those requirements, I would go with an Argentine Black and White Tegu. A new hatchling will fit great in there, but only for about 6 months. These guys love to be held, and weirdly they seem to crave human attention. Super smart, trainable and gentle when handled frequently. Just know that they do grow large and will need an 8 foot enclosure within a couple years. It seems like you have general herper knowledge and could handle something like this. They are truly wonderful pets!

[jclaiborne]

With all those requirements, I would go with an Argentine Black and White Tegu. A new hatchling will fit great in there, but only for about 6 months. These guys love to be held, and weirdly they seem to crave human attention. Super smart, trainable and gentle when handled frequently. Just know that they do grow large and will need an 8 foot enclosure within a couple years. It seems like you have general herper knowledge and could handle something like this. They are truly wonderful pets!

I'm sorry but I have to disagree with this recommendation for a few reasons (not sure if you own a tegu or not):

-These guys grow fast and while they make great pets only having a 40 gallon breeder and nothing bigger ready is where I made my first mistake when I got mine, not a good idea because you end up rushing to get a bigger cage built

-Not all Tegus are "puppy dog tame" and not all enjoy being handled. Mine is no where near full grown, and when she is in a mood and doesn't want to be messed with she can put the hurt on you.

-Only having experience with a beardie and LG's will in no way prep you for the power that tegus have. Again if they decide to roll on you or whip around their power will shock you.

-As adults their cage requirements are a minimum of 8x4x4 you have to be willing to have this cage in your house, or build them an outdoor enclosure, these animals live a long time like most reptiles. (they will be able to go in this before the first year you own them is up)

I am not trying to deter anyone from owning them, but the decision can't be made lightly, and getting one because you want something to go in a 40 gallon breeder is not the correct way to go about it. Again these can in fact make amazing pets, but research research research, ensure you have everything ready ahead of time and realize the power these animals have.

[JoshSloane]

I'm sorry but I have to disagree with this recommendation for a few reasons (not sure if you own a tegu or not):

-These guys grow fast and while they make great pets only having a 40 gallon breeder and nothing bigger ready is where I made my first mistake when I got mine, not a good idea because you end up rushing to get a bigger cage built

-Not all Tegus are "puppy dog tame" and not all enjoy being handled. Mine is no where near full grown, and when she is in a mood and doesn't want to be messed with she can put the hurt on you.

-Only having experience with a beardie and LG's will in no way prep you for the power that tegus have. Again if they decide to roll on you or whip around their power will shock you.

-As adults their cage requirements are a minimum of 8x4x4 you have to be willing to have this cage in your house, or build them an outdoor enclosure, these animals live a long time like most reptiles. (they will be able to go in this before the first year you own them is up)

I am not trying to deter anyone from owning them, but the decision can't be made lightly, and getting one because you want something to go in a 40 gallon breeder is not the correct way to go about it. Again these can in fact make amazing pets, but research research research, ensure you have everything ready ahead of time and realize the power these animals have.

I had various tegus for some time. I agree they grow fast, that's why I recommended being ready to upgrade enclosures pretty soon. But a 40 gallon is perfect for a baby. Yes some Tegus can be feisty, but with handling the vast majority do remain very tame. Im not really sure what other lizards or monitors you could possibly have before owning a tegu, other than a beardie that would prepare you. Almost all other monitors of comparable size will be vastly more temperamental and harder to handle. I made this recommendation because the OP seems to have herp experience and a dedication to pet ownership. With knowledge and guidance there is no reason they cant have a gu.

[jclaiborne]

I had various tegus for some time. I agree they grow fast, that's why I recommended being ready to upgrade enclosures pretty soon. But a 40 gallon is perfect for a baby. Yes some Tegus can be feisty, but with handling the vast majority do remain very tame. Im not really sure what other lizards or monitors you could possibly have before owning a tegu, other than a beardie that would prepare you. Almost all other monitors of comparable size will be vastly more temperamental and harder to handle. I made this recommendation because the OP seems to have herp experience and a dedication to pet ownership. With knowledge and guidance there is no reason they cant have a gu.

Correct with knowledge and guidance you most definately can, but as I said it isn't a decision to be made lightly and I don't think getting one to fill a void in a 40 gallon breeder is the correct reason. To each their own, and maybe there isn't anything that can prep you for a big lizard, but I don't like the thought of people going in with a big animal like this thinking it will be a "lap pet" because on the off change it doesn't turn out that way it becomes really hard to rehome a full grown Tegu, or any large animal and in the end the animal ends up suffering.

[JoshSloane]

Correct with knowledge and guidance you most definately can, but as I said it isn't a decision to be made lightly and I don't think getting one to fill a void in a 40 gallon breeder is the correct reason. To each their own, and maybe there isn't anything that can prep you for a big lizard, but I don't like the thought of people going in with a big animal like this thinking it will be a "lap pet" because on the off change it doesn't turn out that way it becomes really hard to rehome a full grown Tegu, or any large animal and in the end the animal ends up suffering.

Oh yes I definitely agree with this. Should never be something you get spur of the moment without knowing what you are getting. I have the scars to prove that large Tegus and monitors are not for everyone. I just love Tegus and think they are sometimes overlooked.

[jclaiborne]

I too have a few scars, and mine isn't near full grown. I do agree they are over looked as well, but like monitors I also think that people jump in with both feet and realize they are in too deep after that, which is partly due to poor advice from pet stores etc...

[JoshSloane]

For sure. I always cringe when I see a tank full of baby water monitors at a local pet shop. I can just imagine them being sold as "gentle giants."

[readymade]

What about a tortoise?

[Aercadia]

-A reptile that like to be handled.

Do tortoises like to be handled? I cannot imagine a tortoise being a highly interactive pet. (Disclaimer: I am not a tortoise expert.) My parents had neighbors who bred/raised tortoises (type??) and they were more akin to living yard ornaments than pets.