Anyone ever own a pet lizard/reptile?

[Sorter]

Originally Posted by Bump

really? Did you guys form a bond? I just felt bad for that thing man, it was small ass cage, it's not right in that situation. I don't know what yours is though.

The times I kept snakes, I had an oversized cage that mixed both artificial sand, branches, and living vegetation. Additionally, I didn't typically keep them for very long as most were WC (wild-caught). I'll say that all of the kings, milks, rat snakes, and most racers warmed up pretty quickly. However, I didn't keep them for more than 3 weeks.

The hots I caught (copperheads) actually warmed up fairly quickly, which was surprising to me. They were fine with me free handling them to an extent ( limited persons in the room, no noise, etc).

[Bump]

Originally Posted by Sorter

The times I kept snakes, I had an oversized cage that mixed both artificial sand, branches, and living vegetation. Additionally, I didn't typically keep them for very long as most were WC (wild-caught). I'll say that all of the kings, milks, rat snakes, and most racers warmed up pretty quickly. However, I didn't keep them for more than 3 weeks.

The hots I caught (copperheads) actually warmed up fairly quickly, which was surprising to me. They were fine with me free handling them to an extent ( limited persons in the room, no noise, etc).

damn, you have bigger balls than I do free handing a copperhead

[Sorter]

Originally Posted by Bump

damn, you have bigger balls than I do free handing a copperhead

Nah. They have a fairly weak hemo based venom. IIRC, there has only been one death in MO due to a copperhead bite. Granted, they can cause severe muscle tissue damage but if treated gently and confidently/intelligently (this is key IMO) they are pretty easily handable. You have to understand how they react to certain movements, their instinctive behaviors, and try to stay one step ahead.

[Bump]

Originally Posted by Sorter

Nah. They have a fairly weak hemo based venom. IIRC, there has only been one death in MO due to a copperhead bite. Granted, they can cause severe muscle tissue damage but if treated gently and confidently/intelligently (this is key IMO) they are pretty easily handable. You have to understand how they react to certain movements, their instinctive behaviors, and try to stay one step ahead.

I remember a lot of people dying, like 1 or 2 per year, from copperhead bites. But it was because it's a shitty small town kansas hospital and the anti venom was killing them. I know a healthy adult shouldn't die from copperhead bites, it's just supposed to hurt like hell.

[Sorter]

Originally Posted by Bump

I remember a lot of people dying, like 1 or 2 per year, from copperhead bites. But it was because it's a shitty small town kansas hospital and the anti venom was killing them. I know a healthy adult shouldn't die from copperhead bites, it's just supposed to hurt like hell.

Quite a few people are allergic to anti-venom, which is typically Cro-fab that is a compound of different base snakes that are hemotoxic (i.e. Copperhead, Cottonmouth, Timber Rattlesnake, etc).

In Missouri, the first recorded death from a Copperhead was this last year IIRC.

Copperhead bites as well as all hemotoxic snakes (rattlesnakes, copperheads, cottonmouths) all hurt as ****. It attacks your muscle tissue and blood cells, as opposed to a cobra, mamba or coral snake which have a neurotoxic venom that attacks your respiratory system.

[Bump]

Originally Posted by Sorter

Quite a few people are allergic to anti-venom, which is typically Cro-fab that is a compound of different base snakes that are hemotoxic (i.e. Copperhead, Cottonmouth, Timber Rattlesnake, etc).

In Missouri, the first recorded death from a Copperhead was this last year IIRC.

Copperhead bites as well as all hemotoxic snakes (rattlesnakes, copperheads, cottonmouths) all hurt as ****. It attacks your muscle tissue and blood cells, as opposed to a cobra, mamba or coral snake which have a neurotoxic venom that attacks your respiratory system.

ya, that shit makes me cringe thinking about it. I'm like that Cody dude on Dual Survival, when I walk in the wilderness, I walk slooow watching every step. There could be a snake at a lot of places and that frightens me.

[Sorter]

Originally Posted by Bump

ya, that shit makes me cringe thinking about it. I'm like that Cody dude on Dual Survival, when I walk in the wilderness, I walk slooow watching every step. There could be a snake at a lot of places and that frightens me.

Definitely when you're in new places for hunting/hiking (I'm the same way, especially when it is an optimal day and the terrain is good for them). You definitely want to watch your step in the bush in SC, GA, FL, AL, Mississippi, LA, AZ, NM, and CA for sure if you're out hiking or just wandering around.

[CrazyPhuD]

I have a pet trouser snake does that count?

(come on someone had to say it! This place be slippin!)

[Richard_Cuckold]

Thanks for the replies folks. I really appreciate some of your insight

I do LOVE dogs and cats and owned a cat for 17 years (she passed away from cancer last year though)
The reason I probably wont get a dog is because I work a ton(especially lately) and am not at my home that much so I don't think it would be fair to the dog. Cats on the other hand are something I might consider (on top of getting a lizard too)

Right now I'm leaning towards a leopard gecko because all you really need is a 10 to 20 gallon tank with a under tank heater (and a couple of hiding spots for them)

[mr. tegu]

Originally Posted by Richard_Harrow

Thanks for the replies folks. I really appreciate some of your insight

I do LOVE dogs and cats and owned a cat for 17 years (she passed away from cancer last year though)
The reason I probably wont get a dog is because I work a ton(especially lately) and am not at my home that much so I don't think it would be fair to the dog. Cats on the other hand are something I might consider (on top of getting a lizard too)

Right now I'm leaning towards a leopard gecko because all you really need is a 10 to 20 gallon tank with a under tank heater (and a couple of hiding spots for them)

If you are choosing between the two of those I would actually go with a bearded dragon. They may require a slightly bigger cage but other than that leopard geckos don't have much benefit over a bearded dragon (other than the exotic color morphs you can find).

The biggest difference you may not be thinking about is the feeding. Leopard geckos are exclusively insectivores. So you will need to have a steady supply of mealworms and crickets. Mealworms are easier to keep around because they sell them in the tubs and you won't notice them much and they are escape artists. But if you have to run to the store every few days for crickets you will become increasingly annoyed and the likelihood of some escaping is pretty much a guarantee.

Bearded dragons on the other hand can basically be trained to eat anything that is in your refrigerator and they actually prefer a varied diet of dark greens, fruits, and vegetables. All of that can be easily stored in your refrigerator and you have a ready supply of food for it. Essentially, it is like feeding a dog or cat.

The difference in price between initial setup for a leopard gecko and bearded dragon is minimal. They both require the heating elements, substrate, decorations, etc. The only difference is that of the larger tank. And you can easily offset that cost by getting a tank off craigslist.

[Silock]

Originally Posted by Sorter

The times I kept snakes, I had an oversized cage that mixed both artificial sand, branches, and living vegetation. Additionally, I didn't typically keep them for very long as most were WC (wild-caught). I'll say that all of the kings, milks, rat snakes, and most racers warmed up pretty quickly. However, I didn't keep them for more than 3 weeks.

The hots I caught (copperheads) actually warmed up fairly quickly, which was surprising to me. They were fine with me free handling them to an extent ( limited persons in the room, no noise, etc).

I don't know whether to respect the hell out of you or call you a ****ing moron . . .

Jesus, dude.

[Sorter]

Originally Posted by Silock

I don't know whether to respect the hell out of you or call you a ****ing moron . . .

Jesus, dude.

I've been called both respectively for my experience with reptiles. You just have to be knowledgeable of the animal (based on readings, experiences, and the animal personally) and not be cocky (i.e. always maintain a more than healthy respect for the animal).