Beginning a search

[LeosForLess]

Im looking for a lizard that can grow up to 3-4 feet in legnth in a up to 5 years. I need one that i can get as a baby and have NOT BITE. Im not looking for one immedeatly, im really researching this. I dont intend on breeding it either. Iguana i think is out because i just dont like long tails. Thanks, Paul

 

[Zbiz]

Hm... well you havent thought about getting a blue tongue skink? I have fallen in love with this lizard and i dont even have one... from what i heard they are the perfect big lizard and i plan to get one in a month or two. The only thing is if you get one that grows the biggest (northern blue tongues) they reach around 28 inches tops. So little more than 2 feet. They are soo personable, they know your sound and know who you are. They also eat lots of different types of food so its actually fun to make them dinner. Also they only need about a 40 gallon long to be happy although like all animals the bigger the cage the better. The only thing, they are $100-150 each and are a little more harder to get... you probibly will have to get on a waiting list like i am for a captive bred baby. If the price is too high you could get a bearded but they eat soo many crix when they are young they will definately make up for their cheaper price. Honestly both are good choices, but my fav is BTSs. They have similar housing needs and feeding requirements with some special differences. I say pick from those.

 

[LeosForLess]

Well i kind of want somthing 3-4 feetish. Moniter sized, but i dont kno i heard they can bite off your fingers, lol. I mostly want to know what i can find in that range that i can handle and has some body mass to it. Also i can raise from a baby and keep tame

 

[Scott&Nikki]

I have heard great things about Savannah Monitors... no experience though.

 

[ReptileMan27]

I have heard great things about Savannah Monitors... no experience though.

Savs get 5-6ft, if you want something that gets 3-4ft and generally docile, I would reccomend a ackie monitor, heard great things about them. Check out http://www.proexotics.com they breed them and have lots of info on them .

 

[spykerherps]

Akies don't get that big either.But they are great I love mine and very hardy. Don't know what you should get if you don't wont a long tail, all monitor have long tails.How about a Frilly.

 

[papaK]

I'd take a look at argentine black and white or red tegus. I've always wanted one just can't have one right now being in college. One of the guys I work with always brings his into work and they're really cool. They will definately take care of all your extra feeders too. Also they're about the size and thickness I think you're looking for.

 

[LeosForLess]

When i say long tails i mean like water dragon size, where their tail is super long. Im liking the ackies, ill do research on them. My friend has tegus and they seem a little on the harshish side, so im not sure yet.

 

[LeosForLess]

Well im thinking Savhanna now. They dont have super long tails, can be fat so it isnt all bones when I hold it, and can be handled as a baby and shouldnt bite. Would i have to wear gloves while i hold it throughout its life?And how long until it gets 3 feet? I was thinking if im going to school for some sort of biology, chances are i would be rooming with a biology person and they wouldnt mind a sav moniter in their room. Only thing im concerned about is room. I know people who put them in 55 gallons, and then i read places online that require 5X3, then i see 8X5? Which one is right?

 

[Scott&Nikki]

I don't have answers for those questions, but are you talking dorm when you say "school"? There is no way on earth they are going to allow that in a dorm. We (and many other schools) can not even have fish in our dorms. No living animal of any kind. Not sure if that is what you are refering to, but yeah....

 

[Haroldo]

Well im thinking Savhanna now. They dont have super long tails, can be fat so it isnt all bones when I hold it, and can be handled as a baby and shouldnt bite. Would i have to wear gloves while i hold it throughout its life?And how long until it gets 3 feet? I was thinking if im going to school for some sort of biology, chances are i would be rooming with a biology person and they wouldnt mind a sav moniter in their room. Only thing im concerned about is room. I know people who put them in 55 gallons, and then i read places online that require 5X3, then i see 8X5? Which one is right?

You can't even fit a savhanna in a 55g! Even average sized specimens are about the length of a standard 55. Daniel Bennet recommends cages that 8 feet wide, 4 feet deep and 4 feet high. Given their size, I'd think a cage too much smaller wouldn't allow proper thermoregulation, especially once you add some substrate. I keep some dwarf monitor sp. (under 28") and they're getting ready to be upgraded to 90g (48" long x 25" high x 18" deep) vivs which I think are nice [but not necessary] for them to "stretch out". A friend of mine [and a member here] keeps several monitor sp. and quite a few monitors. Some of those enclosures are actual walk-in enclosures to give you an idea. Remember, all animals have the capacity to bite [provided they have teeth] and even usually well-mannered animals can have "bad days". Even if a species has a reputation for being mild-tempered, they are always "freak" individuals. For instance, in general, everyone agrees Varanus timorensis (Timor monitors) are skittish/shy and will never tame down for handling. Some people have Timors that can be picked up without issue, mine however run and squirm every chance they get. The best thing you can do is get in touch with people that actually keep and breed the species you are interested in, in addition/instead of trying to find out the info generally online...

As a side note, my dorm room was only about 12'x12'...and that was for two adults. I can't even begin to imagine where you'd house any monitor in a dorm room. Which is why I moved out and got my own place... Best of luck in your search...
-Harold

 

[Grinning Geckos]

As far as iggis go, some can have very bad tempers and inflict serious harm. Research a TON before you commit to anything.

 

[LeosForLess]

You can't even fit a savhanna in a 55g! Even average sized specimens are about the length of a standard 55. Daniel Bennet recommends cages that 8 feet wide, 4 feet deep and 4 feet high. Given their size, I'd think a cage too much smaller wouldn't allow proper thermoregulation, especially once you add some substrate. I keep some dwarf monitor sp. (under 28") and they're getting ready to be upgraded to 90g (48" long x 25" high x 18" deep) vivs which I think are nice [but not necessary] for them to "stretch out". A friend of mine [and a member here] keeps several monitor sp. and quite a few monitors. Some of those enclosures are actual walk-in enclosures to give you an idea. Remember, all animals have the capacity to bite [provided they have teeth] and even usually well-mannered animals can have "bad days". Even if a species has a reputation for being mild-tempered, they are always "freak" individuals. For instance, in general, everyone agrees Varanus timorensis (Timor monitors) are skittish/shy and will never tame down for handling. Some people have Timors that can be picked up without issue, mine however run and squirm every chance they get. The best thing you can do is get in touch with people that actually keep and breed the species you are interested in, in addition/instead of trying to find out the info generally online...

As a side note, my dorm room was only about 12'x12'...and that was for two adults. I can't even begin to imagine where you'd house any monitor in a dorm room. Which is why I moved out and got my own place... Best of luck in your search...
-Harold

After i did research i talked to him in school and his is only a hatchling. I was doing research and i thought woah that is off, and his is really small. I hadnt started doing research on savahannas yet before i thought of the dorm room thing, now i know thats out of the question. I dont know about iguannas because of mostly what Shanti said. I have seen very tame ones but i think it may be hard for me to find a mild tempered one. I may have to steer more into the BTS direction. Doing research can be tough though because i have seen leopard gecko books telling me i need a 20g for my one leo, then i know in reality i can hold one in a 10 gal. I think it really depends upon the dorm room because i know of people who cant have dogs or cats but can have a ferret. I would get a ball python but my mom is terrified of snakes, lol. I kind of just want to get a nice hardy reptile now that can last me through college, somthing not huge but a good size so instead of wanting 5 leos i may only want 1 large one.

 

[Grinning Geckos]

BPs are very sweet, and not too large. They can be kept in a fairly small space, but they're big enough to be impressive. I would try to introduce your Mom to one (a small one!). My mother-in-law is very afraid of snakes and I got her to touch Bob.

With iggis, I've seen some tame ones, but I've seen far more that would crack you with their tail ASAP. They take a lot of work, and need a huge amount of space as they get older.

Just like leos, these other reptiles can live for a LONG time ... far longer than just getting through college. You should plan accordingly. Unless you're living with your mom, don't worry so much about what she likes. You're the one that will be responsible for it for the rest of it's life.

 

[Scott&Nikki]

Well, although I agree with what Shanti said about getting what you want and not what your mom likes, what if you go to a college where no pets are allowed? Would you just sell it then? I know Northern Illinois, University of Illinois, Eastern IL, Western IL, and IL Weslyan allow NO pets. I have never heard of one that allows more than fish. So, I can see how that could be a big problem, especially if you don't know where you are going to school yet. My apartment here at NIU doesn't even allow pets, or I would probably looking for the same as you. Good Luck with whatever, though.

 

[Grinning Geckos]

Well, although I agree with what Shanti said about getting what you want and not what your mom likes, what if you go to a college where no pets are allowed? Would you just sell it then? I know Northern Illinois, University of Illinois, Eastern IL, Western IL, and IL Weslyan allow NO pets. I have never heard of one that allows more than fish. So, I can see how that could be a big problem, especially if you don't know where you are going to school yet. My apartment here at NIU doesn't even allow pets, or I would probably looking for the same as you. Good Luck with whatever, though.

Yea...pick a school, then pick a pet if they allow it!:main_thumbsup:

 

[Double LY]

Well, although I agree with what Shanti said about getting what you want and not what your mom likes, what if you go to a college where no pets are allowed? Would you just sell it then? I know Northern Illinois, University of Illinois, Eastern IL, Western IL, and IL Weslyan allow NO pets. I have never heard of one that allows more than fish. So, I can see how that could be a big problem, especially if you don't know where you are going to school yet. My apartment here at NIU doesn't even allow pets, or I would probably looking for the same as you. Good Luck with whatever, though.

I agree with Scott that the chances of finding a school/dorm that will accept a several foot long lizard or a snake are slim to nill (unfortunately the "reptile stigma" still freaks too many people out). They may, however, bend the rules for something little like a leo. I know I had my hamster "Pearl" and a few anoles in my dorm at Eastern IL and no one batted an eye about it. Pearl even roamed the halls in her hamster ball while we studied in the common areas

 

[Scott&Nikki]

I agree with Scott that the chances of finding a school/dorm that will accept a several foot long lizard or a snake are slim to nill (unfortunately the "reptile stigma" still freaks too many people out). They may, however, bend the rules for something little like a leo. I know I had my hamster "Pearl" and a few anoles in my dorm at Eastern IL and no one batted an eye about it. Pearl even roamed the halls in her hamster ball while we studied in the common areas

I wonder if they changed the rules or something. My friend had a rabbit and Eastern wouldn't let her bring it. I don't know.... sorry.. back to the thread.

 

[leopardgeckodad]

get a water dragon they are 3-4 ft long and docile