Re: joys of owning a reptile
I've been recommended to get a python or a snake of some sort of a generally low maintenance "animal companion". I was also looking at rats at one point too (and will eventually own a few of them as I like them).
Tho' because I have yet to actually "own" one I cannot speak from experience. Personally? I was looking into reptiles as I'm an animal person who wants to expand her experience with animals outside of the cat realm (as I've mainly had cats all my life along with one dog when I was really young).
I won't really "get" fish tho' as I'm such a tactile person I like something I can touch/handle.
Re: joys of owning a reptile
Quote:
Originally Posted by
greenidlady1
I have known people who own snakes or lizards. I am just curious and I am not try to be sarcastic in any way, what are some the joys of owning one? How much can they be handled? Do they enjoy being handled? Do they show or appreciate affection? Are they fun to watch? Is it similiar to owning fish being that they are there to watch and they look nice? Are they low maintenance? Thanks for the replies.
UBER cool! And yes, to enjoy being out. They are captives, not pets. Animlas who are conditioned to give back to us what we give them. Far from boring to me. But i like a good challenge. That is why i mainly am into Retics. They are one of the snakes that recognize their keeper. (Cobra also)
My others...super cool. YES they will bite. I have been bitten only when feeding. It's always my fault, not the animal. They react to a situation.
However they need proper caging, warmth water and food. And they crap. When you clean them out they crap again...lol.
They like us, get colds, organ failure etc. Many are long lived 20 yrs and more.
I love snakes...they are my passion. ;) Not stupid or simple. Not at all.
Re: joys of owning a reptile
What type of responses can you condition them to give? Is the bite really painful? I watched a program on discovery channel and thought it was fascinating how they bred by wrapping around each other and such. I think lizards are interesting too, I like watching how their litttle heads turn as they watch you.
Re: joys of owning a reptile
Quote:
Originally Posted by
greenidlady1
What type of responses can you condition them to give? Is the bite really painful? I watched a program on discovery channel and thought it was fascinating how they bred by wrapping around each other and such. I think lizards are interesting too, I like watching how their litttle heads turn as they watch you.
Yea i used to have two Argentine Tegus,eating machines but SOOO cool.
A bite does not hurt. I have been bitten on my wrist and had a Retic. start to grab hold...scared me but i had help. Too a person who has never been bitten sure it may hurt i mean the resonse is to pull back...i don't do that anymore it tears the skin and next thing i know i am pulling teeth out of my wound.
Conditioning is like training...but snakes can't be trained so i use the proper term. For my big ones, i open the door tap on the head 3 times with a hook, this means (and they bow down too) you are coming out, no food. IT WORKS! No taps when that door opens and food is thrown in.
I have a Retic who hangs by the door with his head like begging to come out...lol. I open, he comes flying out in the arms. He's not too keen about the floor. That's the one in my sig. Valeck...if i get on the floor he is cool, but insecure on the floor alone and may bite...i wont find out. ;)
Re: joys of owning a reptile
Quote:
Originally Posted by
GoldCoastGirl
I've been recommended to get a python or a snake of some sort of a generally low maintenance "animal companion". ....
Have you looked into corn snakes? They are so fun!
For a beginner they are so much easier to care for than pythons. They can be housed in a reasonable sized cage their entire lives. Feeding is not as expensive and they don't get sick as easily as pythons.
This is a couple of my corn snakes.
http://storeimg.com/images.php/i880_studiopla.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y13...nredrobe54.jpg
Hugs and Hissessss,
Maria
Re: joys of owning a reptile
Great choice for a snake that one wants to learn more about and perhaps move up the ladder later to another different species.
But....they are MORE expensive to feed than a Python. They have a very high metabolism, and feed every 3 to 4 days, where a Python normally eats once every 2 weeks. This is my experience. Corn snakes that are hungry can drive you bonkers, they simply wont rest until they feed....they are endless gutters..lol.