# Reptiles?

Category: Animal House

## Post 1 by Hilikme (Veteran Zoner) on Friday, 11-Jul-2008 0:20:33

Hi,
I was wondering if anyone here has, or has had a pet reptile, whether that be snake, lizard, etc... of any sort. Preferably, if you've been the primary care taker, i.e. cleaned the cage, took care of feeding, etc..
I'm seriously considering getting one, and would be curious to chat with anyone else who's been through it all.

## Post 2 by Nicky (And I aprove this message.) on Sunday, 07-Sep-2008 19:45:32

I use to have, snakes, frogs, egonnas, lizards, a really big lizard thing, and IDK what else, I only can say though is please don't make it become a non meet eater. if they are ment to eat meet then let them. I was really small when I hda all those pets and don't remember much, try google.

## Post 3 by Harmony (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Sunday, 21-Sep-2008 4:56:24

I haven't had any reptiles of my own, but they used to have snakes and lizards at my old school. I fed one of the snakes once and someone was helping me, like showing me where to hold the food where the snake could get it. I haven't done any of the cleaning though.

## Post 4 by Sweet Barbie (Account disabled) on Saturday, 18-Oct-2008 17:53:12

I have not but would have lvoed to own one, LOL snakes especially LOL I lvoe the feel of one.. slithering around my neck, tis' quite frightening but cool LOL!

## Post 5 by laced-unlaced (Account disabled) on Sunday, 19-Oct-2008 5:48:37

i own 2 snakes. both are male. :)

## Post 6 by redgirl34 (Scottish) on Sunday, 19-Oct-2008 8:38:45

I have never owned snakes or anything like hat ly my dog. ButI have had a nake round my neck. I used toknow somebody who owned a snake.

## Post 7 by bozmagic (The rottie's your best friend if you want him/her to be, lol.) on Monday, 20-Oct-2008 14:48:27

Sheesh! Wouldn't dream of owning snakes, ever. I've met the most charming pair of bearded dragons (lizzards) though. Belonged to one of the care staff from RNIB Vocational College in Loughborough. She brought them in to College when I was there so we could look at them for ourselves.
Jen.

## Post 8 by Speedygirl! (1) on Sunday, 02-Nov-2008 1:51:29

My x and I had a leopard gecko once. he had him before I did though.

## Post 9 by Hilikme (Veteran Zoner) on Monday, 03-Nov-2008 16:38:24

Well, before any of these replies popped up, I jumped in anyways (after a lot of research, mind you)... So as of August 4th, I've been the proud owner of two adult bearded dragons... It's gone very well! I haven't fun into too many problems with caring for them thus far (I feed appropriate worms, like silk worms and super worms, instead of crickets though).
Thanks for the responses though!
Those of you with snakes, how do you do the feedings? I'm curious. My boyfriends rather interested in a snake now that I've had my beardies for a bit.

## Post 10 by redgirl34 (Scottish) on Sunday, 03-Oct-2010 17:21:31

I saw a snake a few weeks ago. It was a Royal Python.

## Post 11 by squidwardqtentacles (I just keep on posting!) on Sunday, 03-Oct-2010 18:15:46

If you do get one make sure after handling, particularly after terrarium cleaning, to wash your hands well with soap & water. I don't know if you're a parent or not, but some years ago there was a series of deaths of children under the age of 5 from salmonella, which reptiles transmit. This is why you have to be careful about handwashing.

## Post 12 by LeoGuardian (You mean there is something outside of this room with my computer in it?) on Sunday, 03-Oct-2010 18:19:02

I was told that once when I owned a turtle. A Ornate Box Turtle to be precise. Not much into owning pets now but then it was interesting.

## Post 13 by Harmony (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Monday, 04-Oct-2010 5:54:39

Washing hands after handling or cleaning animals should be common sense, but it's surprising how many people forget or don't bother and then wonder why so many people get ill! Mind you, I've been working/living with animals all my life, so I would say that, but snakes are cool and so are leopard geckos, but be careful with leopard geckos though because if you let them out and they escape from your grasp, they do like to walk on the walls and ceiling.

## Post 14 by squidwardqtentacles (I just keep on posting!) on Monday, 04-Oct-2010 20:30:05

Also make sure if you have a snake to make real sure it doesn't get out of the terrarium. I have known guys who kept snakes. One the snake would be as broad as his fist in the terrarium, but couldn't get whatever kind of food he normally gave it when it got out of the terrarium, so he'd find a snake as wide as a drinking straw when he found it. Another guy's snake would pop up at awkward times, like when he had guests, when it got out of the terrarium, and even bit him once when he tried to corral the beast. A story up here when I was new to the area was of a snake winding up in some apartment tenants' toilet. Mr Sponge wondered how that could have happened, & I guessed the upstairs tenants had a pet that got out & slithered down the pipes downstairs. That's exactly what happened.

## Post 15 by BryanP22 (Novice theriminist) on Wednesday, 06-Oct-2010 12:28:12

I'm not a huge fan of reptiles but nor do I really dislike them. My sister's x boyfriend some years ago had a Ball Python that was...well I wouldn't call it friendlybut it didn't seem to mind being handled.. It was actually kinda cool when he'd wrap himself around my hands and then lick my face. I wouldn't dream of owning one though for the simple reason that I wouldn't know where to start caring for it. I'll stick to cats and dogs.

## Post 16 by DayDreamer1085 (Generic Zoner) on Wednesday, 06-Oct-2010 17:55:58

I have never owned or cared for a snake, but I have pet a boa before... seemed like a nice snake.
I do own two turtles now, and though I have to do a lot of cleaning, I love them to death! I think part of the reason I don't mind is because I care about them so much. I feed them in a different area than the tank they normally inhabit to limit the mess. Draining and scrubbing the tank, as well as cleaning the rocks and things I have in there are a weekly routine for me.
I also had an iguana for a while. And, contrary to some people's beliefs, he did love to be held, as do my turtles. You want to, however, approach any reptile slowly and gently, or they will either flee from you or try to bite. This was the case with both the iguana and the turtles. Reptiles do have feelings and personalities, too. So talk to your pet. Let him or her get familiar with you, and trust me, your relationship will be a strong one! Keep them clean, keep them warm... that is very important, given the whole cold-blooded aspect, and give them lots and lots of love. It worked for me!

## Post 17 by Reyami (I've broken five thousand! any more awards going?) on Saturday, 09-Oct-2010 18:22:45

I've never seen an iguana before.

## Post 18 by Ron (Newborn Zoner) on Wednesday, 01-Dec-2010 8:12:02

I have a leopard gecko. His name is lizzy. and have had him for 5 years now. and he's still kickin! by the way, who ever said leopard geckos walk on the sealing or climb the walls, you are wrong. I own one, and they don't have the sticky pads like most geckos do, so before you post something like that, Please do your research. thanks.

## Post 19 by daileyt (Zone BBS Addict) on Thursday, 16-Dec-2010 18:53:29

My cousin had an iguana but he didn't realy take care of it.

## Post 20 by LeoGuardian (You mean there is something outside of this room with my computer in it?) on Thursday, 16-Dec-2010 22:11:39

Then the iguana most probably died. Iguanas have very specific needs for habitat and diet, which, if not met, result in infections and death.

## Post 21 by ThaCake (Not the best, just better than you.) on Friday, 17-Dec-2010 0:01:51

reptiles and amphibians are among the most sensative creatures. not only should u wahs your hands after handling, but before as well. I own 2 green land iguanas, 2 ball pythons, 3 yellow bellied turtles, and 2 east african side-necked turtles. So, i know what i am tlaking about. reptiles have to have the right amount of heat. too much could result in their insides literally rotting and too little could lead to them being unwilling ot eat and becoming lathargic. Reptiles also need a ton of gentle care because of their shedding. they have ot have their tanks moist during this time or shedding can become verry painful for them and they will be unable to shed all of the skin. also, if your reptile is female, they will be laying eggs. for most lizard species, this means that during this time, they should have an extra calcium addative to their food or for herbavores, a vegetable called endive will suffice. Another thing to keep in mind while raising or owning reptiles or amhpibians, is that they will only get as big as their environment lets them. The bigger the tank, the bigger the animal will grow. They are equipped with that handy mechanism. all in all, they r difficult animals to take care of, but it can be rewarding and interesting if u find yourself generally interested in reptiles.

## Post 22 by ThaCake (Not the best, just better than you.) on Friday, 17-Dec-2010 0:03:57

oh yeah, and i am dyslexic. so sorry for the misspellings.