What Should We Get?

[catherine896]

We want a new pet! But havent got a clue what to go for.
Our shortlist so far is: tarantula, snake, pygmy chamelons, african land snails, maybe a scorpion.

Tarantulas however, terrify me, I like looking at them, but I would have nightmares about it escaping and sitting on my head while I was asleep...

Snake, I like corn snakes, but my nephews bites, but then again it isnt held very often atall. How tame could I get one if bought as hatchling? Are there any smaller snakes?

Pygmy chameleons, I LOVE the look of. Very cute, very tiny! My brother owned a veiled chameleon once so I know the general care for them. However they dont live long

African land snails, I actually find quite interesting. My friend had one and my nephew had one, when I used to go to his I used to get it out and give it a 'shower' and clean him up and give him fresh fruit/veg. He is dead now as wasnt cared for properly But they seem slightly boring.

Scorpions, same as a spider, terrified it would escape but interesting to look at.

Plus, bearing in mind I have a 4 month old son, wouldnt be too wise to have a tarantula/scorpion I dont think!

I think I am probably leaning towards a snake... is there any smaller than a corn snake?

I have 2 mad cats and a few chicks (no they arent feeder food! ) fishtanks, ferrets, rabbits and cockatiels.


Any new ideas/recommendations for a pet are welcomed! Thanks alot.

 

[Morquinn]

Corn Snakes are probably one of the nicest snakes out there... getting them small helps, not using quick movements helps too (I learned that the hard way lol)

Pygmy cham's seem high maintenence.... feeding them pinhead crickets (which ARENT cheap) or fruit flies... yeah not something I'd wanna do.. not to mention Pinhead crickets can climb virtually anything lol

Scorpions... not my cup of tea

 

[Betta5]

Corns can be nippy as hatchlings, my friend breeds them and hits funny because their mouths are to small to do any damage. Mine was nippy but in about 3 days he was fine. Lovely snakes, but make sure you hold them b4 you buy incase you get a really mean one,

 

[t1tanrush]

A lot of people will say corns, lots of people keep them and they are the most common starter snake ever. If you wanted something else (I'm not a fan of corns). You could pick up a garter (females stay under or around maybe a lil above 3 feet, males stay smaller), bullsnake (again they get as large as corns if not a little bigger, but they aren't too much of a hassle), ball python (get 6ish feet but don't require as much space as corns/bulls). Just off the top of my head..

 

[Jaded12]

Personally I'd recommend a rat, they're the best pets in the world and I think everyone should own at least one in their lifetime!

 

[Betta5]

royals dont usualy get 6 feet though a 4 foot is more likely but they can get 6' long!

 

[moray]

corns are nice snakes, and good for beginners, I wouldn't suggest a pygmy cham. until you have some experience keeping exotics if you do go for a cham then I think the best one for a beginner is a yemen (thoughI haven't kept chams before and you would probably need to double check that). Leopard geckos are nice and reasonably good for beginners, if you do go for a tarantula and keep it properly there should be no reasons for it to be able to escape, go for a terrestial one (chilli roses are good starter T's). GALs are good pets, I keep ours with giant millipedes, and they have always got on and it makes the tank a bit more interesting.

Frogs are another idea, there are lots of different types to choose from and you can make a fantastic feature out of their tank (especially if you go for a tree frog species).

more:
African pygmy hedgehogs
degus
chipmonks
axolytls (sp)
preying mantis (don't live long but so very interesting)

the list could be huge, and as Jaded12 said, rats are fantastic pets, but they are sociable and need company, also beware with the cats.

As a gecko lover, I suggest the leopard gecko, but be warned it could be a slippery slope, as you gather experience and the realize what fantastic species you can get in this amazingly diverse group of animals. (though Tarantulas are pretty great too - )

 

[grahamsokel]

I have to agree in the big chams yems are the easiest but Pygmys are even easier,As long as you keep them humid and dust food acordingly dont let them get to hot they are easy No heat required if you have dont have a cold house and no UV needed .I know they dont have a long life but If you got a pair or a trio you would have eggs from them so you would have home grown babies

 

[moray]

I bow to greater cham knowledge there certainly are lots of pygmy chams out there at the mo.

 

[catherine896]

Ive owned rats, frogs, leopard geckos and did alot of the care on my brothers chameleon. Also know how to care for spiders as my other brother owned about 8 at one time, he also has a corn snake.
Not allowed a pygmy hedgehog, chinchilla, chipmonk - my partner wants something different and doesnt understand why I would want a hedgehog - I told him 'cos they are cute and different! But no

Can someone tell me more about a garter snake please??? Same care as a corn snake?

What size tank do they need?

Thanks alot.

 

[Jaded12]

Also have a look at ribbon snakes, they're a realative to the garter snake. I have one, hes about 18" atm but will grow between 3-4 feet. They can be alitle difficult t hand train because they're fast and flightly, but once they get used to you, they're really interesting pets. If you're looking for unusual you could get a sugar glider, I've heard they make amazing pets, I've never had one myself but I hope to one day.



Ribbon Snake Info

Sugar Glider Info

 

[catherine896]

Ive owned sugar gliders aswell. They were amazing, and truly a very weird pet. I did enjoy them at the time but I didnt have enough time for them so had to sell them unfortunatly. I would love to get another but they 'bark' at night which is very loud and all the fruits and veg they eat is very expensive every week. They were worth it though, so cute! Would climb all over me!

I think still probably a snake, Ill look into garter snakes, ribbon snakes and corn snakes a little more.

Thanks for everyones suggestions.

 

[nufish]

I would get a Great Dane.

 

[catherine896]

Ive always wanted a great dane! But they are a little too big, would like to eat my cats, and I wouldnt want to find the baby having horse back rides on one! One day I will though, I love them!

 

[t1tanrush]

Also have a look at ribbon snakes, they're a realative to the garter snake. I have one, hes about 18" atm but will grow between 3-4 feet. They can be alitle difficult t hand train because they're fast and flightly, but once they get used to you, they're really interesting pets. If you're looking for unusual you could get a sugar glider, I've heard they make amazing pets, I've never had one myself but I hope to one day.



Ribbon Snake Info

Sugar Glider Info

Or get a garter, smaller but bulkier, not as skittish, eat mice easier...