Help with decisions... again!

[Alexandra V]

If you've seen my posts you'll probably notice I'm pretty indecisive when it comes to getting new pets haha

SO that being said, it's that time of year again... The time for me to start saving to get a new pet! I know, I know, the two that I chose aren't beginner pets, but I know what I'm getting into with both of them, and I have tons of time to think them over between now and buying time anyways, so...

Should I do a young retic or a young green iguana as the next pet? I've been doing tons of research and will be until probably next year when I plan on actually buying the animal, and I never jump into things, so which do you think is best?

[olstyn]

Wow, you don't mess around. Some points to consider:

Do you have people around to help with snake-wrangling when it's time to clean the cage, etc? If not, the retic is a bad idea, as the conventional wisdom is that there should always be more than one person present when handling large constrictors.

Do you have the space available for the LARGE caging that either of these animals will need?

Realistically, the snake will be easier (or at least, less time commitment) to care for, but requires more caution/care when handling. The lizard will require a lot more in terms of day-to-day work on your part, but (theoretically, at least) doesn't require other people's help to deal with.

They're so different that it seems like kind of a weird pair to be choosing between, TBH. What animals do you currently care for, and does any of that experience carry over to the potential new arrivals?

[Alexandra V]

They're so different that it seems like kind of a weird pair to be choosing between, TBH. What animals do you currently care for, and does any of that experience carry over to the potential new arrivals?

I know, they're a weird mix lol. To be honest, I don't really have much experience at all with lizards other than having babysat my friends beardie for three weeks, so I'd probably be better off with the snake. I have two bps and a nic. boa, but have handled larger boas and have been dying for a large python of my own since I was 2 and saw an albino burm lol!

Again, most of my experience is with snakes, and so I feel I can read them much better than lizards, and I have the means/skills to build caging for a large snake as well as friends who would be willing to help out with maintenance. I'd intend on getting a really young one of either to get used to them and get them used to me from a young age so they're comfortable with me (and vice versa) as they grow.

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

Have you looked in Red Iguanas? I just saw some babies for sale a few weeks ago. I just think they look cooler

[Alexandra V]

Have you looked in Red Iguanas? I just saw some babies for sale a few weeks ago. I just think they look cooler

Wow, they look amazing! I've actually never heard of them before. From what I know their care is the same as that of a green iguana, right? If I find one at the right time, it will for sure be a candidate!

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

Yes but unless I'm mistaken, I think they stay a tad smaller than green iggys. One of my sisters has done research on them and wants to get one. I hadn't heard of them before I saw one at the NARBC show a few years ago.

[kitedemon]

I don't know enough about either to offer any meaningful opinions. However did you check the by laws in many other Canadian cities there is a max length on snakes of 3m or sometimes 3.5m around 9-10 foot make. That makes retics questionable on the legal side. You might just do a quick search and find out for sure, it may make the decision for you.

[Alexandra V]

I don't know enough about either to offer any meaningful opinions. However did you check the by laws in many other Canadian cities there is a max length on snakes of 3m or sometimes 3.5m around 9-10 foot make. That makes retics questionable on the legal side. You might just do a quick search and find out for sure, it may make the decision for you.

I've been looking it up for a while, and I haven't found anything on the subject of exotics in QC other than that you aren't allowed to breed large scale without a permit (which goes for any animal I think), so that leads me to believe that we don't have any restrictions on snakes and reptiles except venomous, which are completely illegal.

[Skittles1101]

I know, they're a weird mix lol. To be honest, I don't really have much experience at all with lizards other than having babysat my friends beardie for three weeks, so I'd probably be better off with the snake. I have two bps and a nic. boa, but have handled larger boas and have been dying for a large python of my own since I was 2 and saw an albino burm lol!

Again, most of my experience is with snakes, and so I feel I can read them much better than lizards, and I have the means/skills to build caging for a large snake as well as friends who would be willing to help out with maintenance. I'd intend on getting a really young one of either to get used to them and get them used to me from a young age so they're comfortable with me (and vice versa) as they grow.

Even large boas are much smaller than full grown retics...You HAVE to consider that you are a female (like me) and there is a possibility that you will be living alone when the retic is full grown. I don't think it'd be safe to handle alone even for cleaning and feeding. It'd be impossible! I handled a not even full grown female at NERD with 5 other guys in the room, and she was a lot more work to hang on to than I thought. She was 15 feet long easily. You can't assume you'll have a boyfriend (or girlfriend lol), or be married, or have a roomate, or whatever your situation is 10 years from now when the snake is much much bigger than you.

[Skittles1101]

And my experience with green iguanas are not good, so I can't really give any advice on that. Just prepare yourself for VERY sharp teeth. I wish I had a picture of my aunts hand when hers got a hold of it....she had to get her finger sewn back on...