BP or Beardie? (Other suggestions?)

[Blitzjg]

So I have a corn snake but wanted to get something that is more likely to be a little more calm and docile when it's handled.

My research has determined that to be either ball python, bearded dragon, or Uromastyx.

Uromastyx seem to be a little more difficult and higher maintenance however so I have for now ruled them out.

What are your thoughts if you had to choose between the two? I assume the BPs are slightly lower maintenance but how do they handle compared to each other?

The care guides I read on bearded dragons suggest veterinary care, albeit minimal. I don't see anything about that for Ball pythons

[Pyrate81]

I had a similar discussion with my sister the other day but for beardie and uromastyx. We just talked about temperament and morphs of each. Never had to care for either one but when I worked at a Petco, I would regularly handle the uromastices(plural sp?) we had in the store so I'm a little biased on the handling front. Actually had a 10-year old girl talk her mom into letting her buy it. She was a little reptile freak/dictionary. but I digress.

But for your question of vet bills with a BP, they are minimal as well for BP. It also depends on how deep you want to go with it, some will suggest a fecal and check up at a vet for either animal once you bring it home. Others, not so much. I take my herps to the vet when it looks like they are under the weather or I feel something might be off with them.

If I had to choose, I'd get a BP. I'm in a snake mood and not so much in a lizard mood though.

On the whole, I don't think you'll go wrong either way.

[4theSNAKElady]

You came on a BP forum to ask that question? If youre a snake person, go with the BP...ALL THE WAY. If you're not that much of a snake person, go with the beardie. Beardies are however, much more demanding than BPs

[kameo37]

Well, I have both. Beardies require daily care and fussing. Baths every other day, insect variety, veggie variety and attention. They need to be fed daily. They need supplements. They need a reptisun 10.0 uvb light and a basking light, on timers. That's for adults. A baby needs to be fed 2-3 times a day, plus all of the other stuff. Adult beardies need a 4x2x2 enclosure...preferably wood. They need exercise. They need attention to be tamed. They have LOTS of personality, can snuggle, ride in the car with ease. They are diurnal. Mine wakes up around 7:30 am and is snuggling down for bed by 6:30-7pm.

Beardies are nothing like BPs.

BPs you feed once a week, maybe less as adults. No supplements. No lights. Like tight spaces so their enclosure could be a tub in a rack. Nocturnal. Tolerates handling, I don't think there is much "snuggling" to be had.

Both can be appreciated in their own ways, but trying to decide between those two animals is the epitome of comparing apples to oranges.

Having said all that...I would get a BP if I were you! You already have a corn, which is a great intro to snakes. A bp won't cause you much stress bc there are just a few things to tweek to have good bp husbandry.

I'm no expert...these are just my raw opinions.

[4theSNAKElady]

Well, I have both. Beardies require daily care and fussing. Baths every other day, insect variety, veggie variety and attention. They need to be fed daily. They need supplements. They need a reptisun 10.0 uvb light and a basking light, on timers. That's for adults. A baby needs to be fed 2-3 times a day, plus all of the other stuff. Adult beardies need a 4x2x2 enclosure...preferably wood. They need exercise. They need attention to be tamed. They have LOTS of personality, can snuggle, ride in the car with ease. They are diurnal. Mine wakes up around 7:30 am and is snuggling down for bed by 6:30-7pm.

Beardies are nothing like BPs.

BPs you feed once a week, maybe less as adults. No supplements. No lights. Like tight spaces so their enclosure could be a tub in a rack. Nocturnal. Tolerates handling, I don't think there is much "snuggling" to be had.

Both can be appreciated in their own ways, but trying to decide between those two animals is the epitome of comparing apples to oranges.

Having said all that...I would get a BP if I were you! You already have a corn, which is a great intro to snakes. A bp won't cause you much stress bc there are just a few things to tweek to have good bp husbandry.

I'm no expert...these are just my raw opinions.

I couldn't have described them better! Mind if I quote you for new possible beardie owners? And c'mon.....I snuggle with my ball pythons all the time

[kameo37]

Haha! Sure, quote away! If you can find anything quotable of mine EVER...go for it!

[Blitzjg]

Hmm, a lot to consider. For Handling, I tend to be a gamer, although I do watch some TV, now I know extended periods of handling is not recommended, i heard 30 min-hour max, is this about right for all herps? Gaming with a snake in hand is difficult because they tend to be pretty active and require tread-milling of the limbs and keeping a close eye out. Beardies fascinate me because they seem more content just sitting relative still or planted on a shoulder.

I have a relatively bare and small apartment so when the beardie got bigger I would consider letting him roam around when I'm home sometimes, is this feasible?

How do Uromastyx compare in that regard? Several things I've read indicate they are a little more aggressive/squirrely.

My main concern with a Uro/Beardie is that (as it stands at the moment) I would keep them in my bedroom. Do the heat sources produce a lot of ambient heat? I know Uros need a hot side of 120-130 so I would imagine this would heat whatever room they are in up a bit.

[Blitzjg]

Also, is it possible to feed strictly frozen bugs? Not too keen on handling/raising bugs not to mention gut-loading, at least for the majority of their lives, I could handle doing it a little while he was young.

[kameo37]

I don't have a uro, but I have heard that they are more of an ornamental pet...but I don't have any first hand experience with them.

No, no definetely NOT frozen or dead or freeze dried insects. They MUST be live and you will be feeding them insects for their entire lives...which could be 10-12 years.
Insects (and lots of them) will have to become part of your life! They can cost a pretty penny, too.

Also, beardies are NOT content to sit on your shoulder for 30 to an hour. After a few minutes, they want to explore. Especially if you are sitting in the floor or on the couch. They will stay on you if there is no where else to go. You can let them roam around, but keep an eye on them bc they can squeeze into little spaces and hide quite well. If a beardie is being still for 30 minutes, then it's probably asleep.

Please visit www.beardeddragon.org if you are really that interested. My gut feeling is that maybe what you are wanting is a cat or a dog that is content to sit in your lap while you play video games. I really don't think there is a herp that is likely to do that. Yeah, you might hear about a beardie or leo or bp here and there that would just sit and be cuddled...but I dont think that's the norm.

[cory9oh4]

I have both as well. I'd say go with the BP since you already have a snake. It's a good size up from the corn also. The beardies are great, but as mentioned before, much more demanding.