what is the best first reptile?????

ok so i have been looking at and reading about and setting up for a new ball python but i don't know if it will be to much for me to handle or not(this is my first reptile) i want sonthing that dosen't get to big (i know that BP's get 5ft but only need a 30G breeder tank) that is the perfect size and just about all the room i have or somthin that dose well in a rubbermaid as i have herd their better what is the best first reptile i was thinking maby like a gecko or water dragon(other than BP, are bp's a good first reptile?) the only thing that is a small bump in the road is i really do not like bugs (and don't geckos need to eat crickets? i could get over this but i wanna know all my options) although i do not know how big geckos or water dragons get are long tail lizards a good pet?
my local pet store has them on sale for like $5 and at the petstore said that they geat about 8inches that would be good for me but i do not need to eat or their requirements are
idk if you have an idea what is good please drop off ur .02
(also are turtles good? i have herd that they are smell and dirty?)
:sabduel: (i just put that smiley because it looks cool)
join the dark side luke we have cookies(sorry my inner nerd came out again)

Well...as I've only had two reptiles as pets, I'll tell you what -isn't- a good first reptile: Green Iguanas :)

My BP is the first reptile I've had as an adult (meaning I'm an adult, not the BP)--and he's super easy. The set-up and supplies were a hefty first-time expense, but once I had an ideal setup husbandry (and safety)-wise, keeping him has been a dream so far. Clean up the soiled substrate, wash out the tub, fresh water, feed him once a week--and that's it. He's pretty low-maintenance.

Though from what I hear, geckos are good first-time pets :) I've never had one, though.

ball pythons are good first snakes, and for lizards i dont think you can beat a crested gecko. they dont have to eat bugs and can be fed a botled diet and baby food, thrive at room temps, and no external lighting required. also they dont mind handling and are really fun to watch. :)

I was thinking of crested geckos too. They're fabulous little pets.. significantly less expense to set up properly than a BP, and there are many experienced keepers (and breeders) right here on the boards.

thanks for the info what is a good price for a crested gecko(at a petstore? there are no local breeders of anything but fish around my place)
also is it a good idea to get the bp if it is free( a breeder on annother forum said that when the clutch hatches in 2 months i can have one for free just pay for shipping) also if i cannot find a crested gecko what would be a sudstitute? (or is there any) i have herd about lepord geckos and my petstore has them for $35 is that fair? are they good geckos? (do they need to eat bugs) also how big do crested geckos get?

leopards are good pets, but they need heat and lighting and yes they need bugs :D a large crested will be about 9-10 inches and the largest i have seen is around 80 grams.

crested geckos are cool and all but you should consider a Leopard gecko also, they are very hardy and easy to take care of, and adult can live in a ten gallon tank, i house mine in a 20L so i can have different areas for him, but i have a BP and a Leopard gecko, i have had the leopard longer and he was my first reptile and will always be my favorite, they dont mind being handled and can get quite active in the evenings, "they do eat bugs though"

leopard g's do not need special lighting, just need correct temps, they are nocturnal..

ok i am contomplatin about the lepord gecko or the bp????
i can get the bp for free and already have a rubbermaid setup to house a bp but my dad is deathly afraid of not the snake but............ rats (they need rats as they get bigger don't they?)
a lepord geck looks cool and all but i am having a hard time with the whole bug thing(my brother bought a terantula a couple years ago and was some expensive breed like $150 and i shot with a 12guage 19 times! i hate bugs
plus anytime i go in to the petstore sure as :cens0r::cens0r::cens0r::cens0r: a frigen cricket climbs up my leg and i spend 20minutes bouncing around trying to get it out) i know i am lame crickets are not big deal maby i'll just go with the ball or crested
a big plus is i can get a free babby ball from a reputable breeder (not a bad deal i think and shipp is only like $25-30)

i own both and like both, if you can get a healthy BP for that cheap with a set up i wouldnt pass that deal up, but Leopards are also really cool and you could always try feeding dead crickets, just really up to you whatever you decide you will enjoy, get both, thats what ive got. lol

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Originally Posted by cornfuzed

ok i am contomplatin about the lepord gecko or the bp????
i can get the bp for free and already have a rubbermaid setup to house a bp but my dad is deathly afraid of not the snake but............ rats (they need rats as they get bigger don't they?)
a lepord geck looks cool and all but i am having a hard time with the whole bug thing(my brother bought a terantula a couple years ago and was some expensive breed like $150 and i shot with a 12guage 19 times! i hate bugs
plus anytime i go in to the petstore sure as :cens0r::cens0r::cens0r::cens0r: a frigen cricket climbs up my leg and i spend 20minutes bouncing around trying to get it out) i know i am lame crickets are not big deal maby i'll just go with the ball or crested
a big plus is i can get a free babby ball from a reputable breeder (not a bad deal i think and shipp is only like $25-30)

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at the risk of you shooting someone or something, you should not do anything with bugs. :D go with the ball and feed him frozen rats, but read up on care and if you have any questions ask.

you can also feed superworms, wax worms, meal worms just doesnt have to be crickets if you decide to get a LG i feed all of the above just to get a variety.

You said you have a rubbermaid setup.. do you also have heat tape and a thermostat? The t-stat is the single most expensive thing you need.. expect to pay at least $70. Also be aware that some ball pythons are very difficult to switch to feeding pre killed rats, so you may need to feed your snake live prey.

If you'd rather have a crested gecko, you can have them shipped to you as well, just because there isn't a local breeder it doesn't mean you can't get one.

i think that i'll stick with the ball and because i already told him that they get 5-6 feet i'll just say the breeder has bread with a morph with het genes and since the clutch is of 8 eggs and there is a 78% chance i'll get a dwarf (i just start talking fast because he know nothing about any reptile and when it gets bigger i'll just say it is a miricale lol!!)
i know it is wrong but i'll lie to my dad (wont be the first time nor the last)
and after i get it and he learns to like it he won't care when it grows up :sabduel: :sabduel: :sabduel: :sabduel: :sabduel: :sabduel:
(sorry but that is by far the coolest smiley!)

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Originally Posted by Shelby

You said you have a rubbermaid setup.. do you also have heat tape and a thermostat? The t-stat is the single most expensive thing you need.. expect to pay at least $70. Also be aware that some ball pythons are very difficult to switch to feeding pre killed rats, so you may need to feed your snake live prey.

If you'd rather have a crested gecko, you can have them shipped to you as well, just because there isn't a local breeder it doesn't mean you can't get one.

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instead of heat tape i have a heating pad i got the setup from a friend who had a green iggie in it and it got to big so he sold it to me for $30 with the heat pad,log,hide,larg water dish,heat and uv lights,and a big bag or bark(is that good for a ball?) also it has 2 digital thermoters with built in humidity guages as well as an analog temperature guage in the middle

u wont need the UV and you will want two identicle hides, one for cool side one for hot side.

Lying to your dad isn't a great idea. It surely won't invoke his trust in you for future matters.. better to do your research and show him you know what you're talking about. That shows maturity which tends to impress parents.

You still need a thermostat to control that heating pad. Without it those things overheat and can easily burn a snake. You do not need UV lighting, but you need at least 2 hides.

A baby ball python is going to be pretty stressed in a big cage.. you'll either need to stuff it with hides or get something like a plastic shoebox (much better size for a baby ball.. they can be hard to get feeding if they feel insecure in a big open cage)

Plus that analog temperature and humidity guages are garbage. Throw them in the trash and get a digital thermometer/hygrometer. You can find them at target or walmart.

Oh.. and I highly doubt you're getting a dwarf ball python.. LOL no such thing as far as I know. If you breed a het to a normal you will get possible hets, not morphs (unless it's a dominant or co-dom gene)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Shelby

Lying to your dad isn't a great idea. It surely won't invoke his trust in you for future matters.. better to do your research and show him you know what you're talking about. That shows maturity which tends to impress parents.

You still need a thermostat to control that heating pad. Without it those things overheat and can easily burn a snake. You do not need UV lighting, but you need at least 2 hides.

A baby ball python is going to be pretty stressed in a big cage.. you'll either need to stuff it with hides or get something like a plastic shoebox (much better size for a baby ball.. they can be hard to get feeding if they feel insecure in a big open cage)

Plus that analog temperature and humidity guages are garbage. Throw them in the trash and get a digital thermometer/hygrometer. You can find them at target or walmart.

Oh.. and I highly doubt you're getting a dwarf ball python.. LOL no such thing as far as I know. If you breed a het to a normal you will get possible hets, not morphs (unless it's a dominant or co-dom gene)

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really? i thought the dwarf lie was briliant yeah i know that there is no such thing as a dwarf is far as i have read also i have 5 and a 10G fish tanks alying arround(i used to breed fish and they were my breeding tanks allong with my 220G 90G and 55G(only the 55 is saltwater)

A 5 gallon tank isn't a bad idea.