which one to get

i was looking at getting another reptile and was looking at green/red iguanas and savannah monitors and was wondering what one will make a better pet cage size does not matter

Generally, people will recommend large lizards like iguanas and monitors only to experienced and patient keepers.

That said, if you have the time money, space, and dedication, and have done all your research, then you can surely make that committment if you so desire. From what I've heard,keeping these animals can either incredibly rewarding, or it can be an absolute nightmare, whether for the keeper or the kept.

And for other suggestions... can never go wrong with BCIs or even Bloods!
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i already have a central american red tail and i was looking into bloods a little later in life when i have a job i want a monitor or iguana because of their size i have the time and patience and i will be getting a job mowing grass this summer

Well they both will cost a bunch, especially in feeding. I love savys personally but they need huge accomidations much like iguanas do and ALOT of dirt for digging. The cage alone could weigh 1k. However, I'm not so sure I would feel financial secure enough just mowing lawns in the summer to take care of such a beast...let alone any animal. But that's just me.


Rereading through everything. I definitely wouldn't get either if you are just mowing lawns as your only job. I wouldn't suggest anything else unless you had a check cpming each week with enough left out of it for care.

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i plan on doing other stuff too if i can find someplace that will hire a 13 year old and i also plan on breeding roaches and rodents fairly soon too so that will cut down on some food expenses for the monitor we also have a garden that i could grow veggies in for the iguana

Yes. But your substituting one food bill for another. Plus I'm not sure where you live but most gardens dont produce all year. Unless your really experienced I don't suggest either, especially at your age. A full grown iggy or savy can inflict some serious damage. I'm not trying to be mean, just honest. Most kids your age I know could handle such a large, possibly dangerous, and temperamental lizard.

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i know your not trying to be mean just giving info but i know all the risks and costs of owning one but i feel that i am a responsible person when it comes to the care and safety of my reptiles i was trying to get my hands on some ackies but they sell out so fast and i dont know where to get them if i cant get some ackies i might try to find another smaller monitor species and i am willing to pay up to $250 for just the animal i will check around on some other forums and see what other people have to say

Id say if your going for a monitor perhaps a argus. They are relatively small compared to others and don't need as hardcore a setup as a savy.

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Whatever you decide to get, make sure you're ready for it (do all your research, get everything beforehand, yadayada, you know the drill by now I'm sure, haha) and can handle and afford for its whole lifetime.

Keep us updated and I hope you find the perfect animal that fits within your budget and situation. Don't be afraid to ask questions, here or elsewhere. I'm no expert, but there definitely are a lot of great keepers online who can help immensely. Good luck!

I wouldnt get an iguana or monitor if i was in your situation, and i was in your shoes like 5 years ago so dont take this like im trying to talk down to you. Both species require a TON of money and attention and frankly mowing lawns isnt gunna be able to support your pet year round. And idk where you live but the very youngest i have ever heard of someone getting a job is 15 and that was under the table at a family resturant. If i were you i would get a smaller species of monitor. I wish i could help but my knowledge of them is very limited. I reccommend doing some research into them. Also what about bearded dragons and blue tongued skinks? I have friends who have both these species and theyre wicked cool. Beardies are pretty popular so if your looking for something more unique then really look into the BLue tongue skinks. I love playing with my friends one. Its very affectionate and personable, well as much as a reptile can be lol. If i had the space id love to get one! I hope this helps, feel free to post any other questions you may have or PM me about anything.

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Originally Posted by Mike41793

I wouldnt get an iguana or monitor if i was in your situation, and i was in your shoes like 5 years ago so dont take this like im trying to talk down to you. Both species require a TON of money and attention and frankly mowing lawns isnt gunna be able to support your pet year round. And idk where you live but the very youngest i have ever heard of someone getting a job is 15 and that was under the table at a family resturant. If i were you i would get a smaller species of monitor. I wish i could help but my knowledge of them is very limited. I reccommend doing some research into them. Also what about bearded dragons and blue tongued skinks? I have friends who have both these species and theyre wicked cool. Beardies are pretty popular so if your looking for something more unique then really look into the BLue tongue skinks. I love playing with my friends one. Its very affectionate and personable, well as much as a reptile can be lol. If i had the space id love to get one! I hope this helps, feel free to post any other questions you may have or PM me about anything.

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Way to copy what I said! :rolleyes:
Like I said before a Argus monitor would be a better alternative if you can't find an ackie....

Both of the species you're considering can be very temperamental. Have you any experience handling a 3-6 foot lizard hellbent on causing you great bodily harm? The care of these 2 animals couldn't be much further apart(especially in regards to diet). I suggest doing all the research you can on their caging requirements, lighting needs and dietary options. When reading up on them pay special attention to the damage either lizard can cause should you find yourself getting shredded by their claws, teeth or tail-whipped in the face by a lizard that just happened to wake up on the wrong side of the basking log that day.

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Originally Posted by kevinb

Way to copy what I said! :rolleyes:
Like I said before a Argus monitor would be a better alternative if you can't find an ackie....

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lol i didnt even read your post, my bad. Im not really a "monitor guy" like i said so idk the names of any smaller ones except for ackies. I really think he should get a blue tongue skink! Or maye i need to get one...

And if you decide to go to college? Where would you house these large lizards, because I'm certain your dorm/apartment won't allow it. Are your parents willing to take care of it for 4 years? Even if you don't go to school, you're gonna want to move out at some point and I happen to know (from recent experience) that many landlords won't allow exotic species... so that really limits your possibilities for renting and I'd wager you won't be buying a house straight off.

Are you really ready to commit to something that has an average lifespan that is longer than you've been around at this point?

I hate to be a downer... but unless your parents are also big into herps, I don't think it is a good idea until you're out on your own.

i do a lot of research on a bunch of different reptiles all the time so i know a good bit about most of the common reptiles in the pet trade and also i have looked at beardies and blue tongues but i what something that gets a decent size and i can interact with so that is why i want to get a sav or something around that size

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Originally Posted by Trogdorpheus

Are you really ready to commit to something that has an average lifespan that is longer than you've been around at this point?

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That pretty much says it all. Everyone here is being really nice to you, but if this was say, Yahoo Answers or even Kingsnake, you'd be nailed to the wall for thinking you could handle a lizard that big. :O

Seriously, everyone thinks they are superman when they are your age... but when I got my first pet my dad made me make arrangements for it when I went off to college. I had to find a breeder who was willing to take in a "retired" rabbit - and ready to pay for it, the year before I left. Most colleges are doing the "you must stay in the dorms your first year" thing... mine didn't even allow fish.

As far as the "let it roam around free when you are home" yeah, I tried that one on my fiance - he won't even let ME at MY AGE pull that line, because of the temperament of monitors. Even if I was hoping for a "guard lizard." See where you are in 10, 20 years... go into biology in the meantime and play with all the herps in the lab, but don't go getting over your head. IMHO of course... which probably won't sink in for another dozen or so years, am I right? ;)

i think i am going to use my money to buy a male ball python morph since peoplw dont think im ready to get one