Tokay geckos and bearded dragons

[dizzy]

The only herps I've kept before, other than snakes, were red eared sliders and leo geckos... So I don't know much about husbandry for other things...

I'm wondering how hard it is to take care of tokay geckos and bearded dragon lizards. Compared to a ball python would you say either of them is much harder or much easier? I know the care will probably be much different, but much harder???

In a couple months the b/f and I are going to hopefully be renting a 2 bedroom house and so we (I) want to have a "reptile room" lol. I figure that will make it easier to keep the temps and humidity up, by having a humidifier and (in the winter if/when necissary) a space heater in the room. Not that I'm having alot of trouble now, I'm just spending alot on replacement bulbs and whatnot.

So are the humidity and ambient temps similar for all 3, beardies tokays and balls? I figure ambients will be similar and basking temps will be individualised. (sp)

I've read a little bit about husbandry for tokays and beardies but I just want some opinions on difficulty of care. I spend alot of time, money and effort on my bps, so I expect to do the same here, but I'm hoping it's not alot more!

Also, I can't seem to find tokays for sale anyplace except NERD and they're out of my price range. Can anybody tell me some other places to purshase tokays?

I know Tokays are aggresive and not much of a handling pet, but they're SO pretty! Beardies aren't usually very aggresive, are they? I've only handled like 2 of them and they were both mellow.


Thank you everyone!

[Michelle.C]

Bearded Dragons aren't difficult to keep, but they are expensive to get setup. Between the caging, lighting, supplements, and food, they aren't cheap little buggers. Overall though, they are a pleasure to work with. Generally easy to maintain, and most are relatively docile as long as you handle them often enough.

As far as ambient temperatures, they can be kept similar to Ball Pythons, similar enough you can keep them in the same room anyway. Although, Basking temperatures do need to be 110 degrees, give or take.

They also require a varied diet, on a daily basis. Here is a nice nutrition guide for greens, etc. http://www.beautifuldragons.503xtrem...Nutrition.html

Mercury Vapor Bulbs are the way to go with Bearded Dragons, imo.

As far as Tokays go, they require decently high humidity (60-80%), daytime temperatures of 84-90. Most keepers like to give them a rather steep night time drop as well.

I'd say both species are pretty easy to keep, Tokays being a bit more difficult than Bearded Dragons. Compared to Ball Pythons they are probably considered a bit more difficult, but not too much so. They are more time consuming/expensive than difficult really.

http://market.kingsnake.com/index.php?cat=31 There are several Tokays listed for sale on KS.