Help with decisions... again!

[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...

[Alexandra V]

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...

D: Holy cow!

& About the retic, I know it isn't the same as a large boa because obviously, they aren't large boas lol. Before I commit myself to anything I'm going to be trying to work with retics that are already big to see if I still think I can do it, and for maintenance I have a lot of good friends who are comfortable with snakes who would be able to help me out, as well as family members. Thanks for the input, you definitely gave me things to consider about iguanas and retics!

[Skittles1101]

D: Holy cow!

& About the retic, I know it isn't the same as a large boa because obviously, they aren't large boas lol. Before I commit myself to anything I'm going to be trying to work with retics that are already big to see if I still think I can do it, and for maintenance I have a lot of good friends who are comfortable with snakes who would be able to help me out, as well as family members. Thanks for the input, you definitely gave me things to consider about iguanas and retics!

These are all thing I had to consider especially since I got divorced. I wanted a boa so bad but knew females get very large and living alone, I knew I wanted a male to be more safe. I give you credit, I wouldn't consider a retic being a single female lol. Anything that can eat me I kind of crossed off my list

[Evenstar]

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...

I totally agree with this. Adult green iguanas are nasty as adults. The males can be extremely territorial and the females are just plain mean. I don't know if red iguanas have similar temperaments or not, but if you're thinking of a pet, I would personally look at Rhinocerous Iguanas. They are not as "pretty" but they have super nice personalities and like being handled. They will get to know their keepers and often eat from your hand. Think Beardie personalities. They get bigger than the greens too if you're looking for a larger lizard.

I, too, have more experience with snakes, but I gotta say, I'd personally never get a snake that could eat me. Even if I had loads of friends who could help me. What if it's 2am and there's no one around and, for whatever reason, you HAVE to open the retic's cage? What if?

Just food for thought.......