New to the world of BTS

[SirGalahaut]

I'm not only new to the world of BTS but new to the world of reptiles. I don't have any yet. I want to make sure I get the right animal for me or else it won't be fair to the animal or myself. If anyone has suggestions about other possible reptiles that would be good for a beginer or suggestions on BTS it would be greatly appreciated.

[SailleSkinklover]

Hi, your question depends on so many things:
What is your lifestyle? (day or night person?)
How much time are you willing to devote to your new friend?
Do you want low maintenance?
Are you willing to feed live food/dead mice/rats?
do you want an animal that you can "cuddle" ?
What kind of handling do you want to do?
Do you have a good space for a large enough cage?
Can you provide the correct housing/diet for the animal?
Can you afford vet bills/do you have a good vet lined up for emergencies?
What do you want form your pet? Loyalty? Affection? behavioural observation?
How will the rest of your family deal with/treat the new animal?
Are there other pets who could harm your new animal?

Herps are a very broad range of animals, and they are NOT in any way like mammals or birds in that they do not crave affection/attention from us humans. In that respect they are low maintenance.
Certain herps however are far more tolerant of being handled.
Its excellent that you are doing research before committing to buying a herp, and these are all important questions to ask.
Hope it helps, and Welcome to BTS.net!!!
Saille

[Marie]

How long do plan on having your reptile? BTS can live up to 20 years in captivity. Bearded dragons are also good beginner reptiles and only live half as long as BTS. There is the downside that they eat crickets like crazy when they are young. I also have a few crested geckos that are super easy to care for. To me, an advantage with these guys is that they eat powdered diet. Unlike BTS and beardies, they aren't as handleable though. Like BTS, they can live a long time. I've also heard (but have no experience) that leopard geckos are good starter lizards.

[Zach]

Whoa, good questions you guys...

I don't know what to say now.

Uhh....blueys rule!

[Fatal_S]

Zach, you've been replaced. You're old news now. Sorry, but we're moving on, keeping with the times. Maybe try changing your image, or some nice cosmetic surgery. If not, just bow out gracefully, oldtimer.

Welcome SirGala! Personally, I believe a BTS is an ideal first time reptile. They're not fragile, they tolerate handling very well, and their diet is pretty much what a heathy person eats. Take lots of time to study up though. After all, a BTS lives a few decades, so taking a year to research and set up isn't a huge loss. Good luck with finding the reptile for you, and good job looking for information first!

[Zach]

[jasjmm27]

Blueys are awesome and excellent pets...kinda one of the closest reptiles you can get to a dog...they do demand more attention and care then say, a Leopard Gecko (an EXCELLENT pet), but to me they are worth that extra care and that care is also part of the "fun"!

If you want something easy, fun, cute, handleable, and relatively cheap then I would say a Leopard Gecko is the best way to go...they are more "fraile" then a bluey and can't be "toted around" as easily, but they are good pets, great to watch and don't seem to be mind being held...you have to be prettyn careful with their tails and bodies in general...but that is what you get with a gecko (generally).

I would say that if you are willing to truly spend some time with an animal and get a great "buddy" that will provide hours of entertainment then a Bluey is the one for you! (though they can get rather lazy in the winter, see "Brumation 101" thread) I must say that I have become enamored with these guys, even obsessed after my first one! In the end it comes down to you and what you are willing to, or what you WANT to put into the relationship...

If you want a "pretty" animal to leave in the cage and look at...then a gecko, chameleon, or similar animal might be for you...if you want an animal to take out and hang out with then a Bluey is a good candidate as long as you research and understand the animals needs...

Good luck in your decision...read as much as you can and figure out where your desires lie and act!

[SailleSkinklover]

All great suggestions for first time herps!
Crested geckos are rubbery bouncy little geckos that are very tolderant of handling compared to many other "Sticky toe" species.
They are fine at room temps, (qround 70-75) so no special heating requirements there.Like MArie said, they don't need insects, they can eat the repashy powdered diet. Cute little things.
Leopard gex are cute too, but need heat. THe gecko species are great for the "night owl" type of lifestyle, as they are nocturnal.

Beardies, you can feed them roaches, a much better choice than crickets if you can get around the whole "roach" idea.
Blueys?
Well, what can I say? They really are the best. They don't HAVE to have live feeders, though a big variety of foods is recommended. (read the caresheet on feeding!) They are hilarious, intelligent, too big to get easily lost, sturdy, and quite forgiving of the mistakes that many first time herp owners can make.
(And they have BLUE tongues! They really are a riot to feed!)
I love my bluey and really do agree that they are an excellent first time herp pet. Mine eats what we eat, (smaller portions obviously) organic friuts and veg, chicken and turkey burger.
Keep on doing your research, ask the questions on whether a lizard that can live upward of 20-25 years (maybe longer) and is a day time animal is the right one for you.
We're here to help and answer any questions!
Good luck!

[aggiegirl]

Welcome!
I was new to herps when I got my bluey and now I have a housefull!
If you are looking for a herp to handle, I recommend...
a snake if you don't mind feeding rodents...
a beardy if you don't mind feeding crickets...
a bluey if you want to buy everything at the grocery store!
If you want eye candy and occasional handling...
a crested gecko (less money than above and less crix/live feeder req.)
I love blueys and will NEVER regret them. Of course they are not the pet for everyone. They have high initial purchase costs, they require large tanks, and they need full lighting (heat, UV.) If you do decide to get one though, I recommend a Northern, Eastern, or an IJ.

I recommend searching/reading articles about the easiest herps for beginners. Narrow your search and then go window shop at a reptile show. Handle different herps and talk with different people. Take notes about the pros/cons for each. Then, buy your herp from a reliable source (as exotic pet vet bills will make a cheap but sickly herp more expensive in the long run.) You owe it to yourself to research any herp as many of these live a long time! You are a smart cookie to research. Of course those of us here are a bit partial!!!!!

Important considerations might include:
initial/ongoing costs
nocturnal/diurnal activity
diet (live prey, veggies, powdered complete diet)
personality/handleability
lifespan
tank size/furnishings
things that matter to you (they way they feel, sturdiness, appearance,etc.)

[Tattoo]

Zach, you've been replaced. You're old news now. Sorry, but we're moving on, keeping with the times. Maybe try changing your image, or some nice cosmetic surgery. If not, just bow out gracefully, oldtimer.

Fatal dear ... maybe you need a bit more fiber in your diet? That was a pretty unkind way to address our Zach. Youngsters ... where's the respect?

[Fatal_S]

G UNIT

Naw, I love Zach too much for him to run off. Besides, I want to see E/E babies, so he can't just disappear. I'm a card-carrying member of the Zach Fan Club. See:

[Blotch]

look at that cheesey bloody grin would ya!

poor holly!

[Zach]

[Fatal_S]

We Love You Zach!

[Graniteer]

I think you've gotten some pretty good advice. My first lizards were Leopard Geckos, very easy to take care of. I like the facts that they require a lot less space than most; need moderate heat; and are strictly live feeders, which can take a lot of the guess work out. And the fact that they use the bathroom in only one area is fantastic. However, the personality/handleability of BTS are far above those of Leo's. Anything you choose, good luck, have fun, and treat it as you would like to be treated. On a side note, thanks Zach for this great site. It's the best I've seen.

[Bird_Brain]

I have had quite a few different reptiles in the past, but currently only own blue tongue skinks and crested geckos. Both are by far my favorite lizards.

I agree with what everyone has said previously. Great questions and awesome advice.

I would like to add, that snakes are generally much easier to care for than lizards. However, I dont get as much pleasure from owning snakes than I do lizards. Crested geckos are probably THE easiest lizard to care for in my opinion. Blueys are take more time and care, but i think are more rewarding.

Keep us posted with what ever you decide.

[Marie]

I thought of something last night as I lay in bed, listening to my cresties throw themselves against the glass. Do you want a reptile that is awake during the day or night? Cresties are nocturnal, while BTS and beardies are active during the day.

[Leigh]

What about a day Gecko?Still no match for a BTS

[SirGalahaut]

Thanks everyone for all your advice. The biggest problem I've had about getting any sort of pet is my Job. I'm a Concert Lighting Tech (which basically means some weeks I do the normal 9-5 others I will work 80+ hours) then there is also the problem with going on tour for a couple weeks or a months at a time (i have lots of friends and family who wouldn't have a problem taking care of a pet I had if this happened). I love all sorts of animals but I don't think it would be fair to them since my life is so crazy

[Fatal_S]

Good thing about most reptiles is they don't need you there all the time. In your case I'd go with a snake or spider preferably. You leave it for a few weeks, it'll be fine so long as someone is there to feed/water it.

Also, if your going on tour within the country, having a small lizard you could possibly take it with you? Maybe a Pink tongue skink or gecko? PTS is smaller version of a BTS, friendly little guys.