Looking at getting back into reptiles...having trouble choosing :)

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I think ClemsonGuy is correct in regards to most species, but I can assure you my Arg B&W Tegu "appreciates" human interaction...

He lives outside on a 6' x 12' deck/balcony... anytime he is awake and I open the door, he wonders inside and within 5 mintues will crawl onto my lap and visit for a minute or two before free roaming the house. Then while free roaming will frequently crawl back across my lap...


Based on what you (Sarah) are describing... I think an Arg B&W Tegu will be a perfect fit...
 
yeah clemson guy i get what you mean but i mean whatever animal i got i wouldnt forcefully handle it just because i wanted to if it clearly just wanted to be left alone in its cage, its like that with any animal (but yeah more so with most reptiles) but yeah i think the argentine tegu is definitely the reptile for me :) and i have a pretty good basic idea on what im going to do for the enclosure. i was thinking that a 6x4 would be ok since it will be getting plenty of free-roam time when im home once its larger, what do you guys think? im most likely going to try and get one from varnyard since Toby's gorgeous beast is from there and when searching around on here and online have really found nothing but great reviews on him and his animals :)
 
you can go to petfinder.com and put in your zip then click narrow it down to reptiles, they've got some interesting rescues if you're into that.
 
There's an classified add on kingsnake.com right now for male Philippine sailfin dragons. They're only listed at $350. Last year these guys would usually run $1000+. That would a good way to get back into herps.
 
if you're going with the abw tegu (imo, much better choice than an iguana), try to get a male as males are a little less skittish and "tamer". you don't need to hibernate them unless you want to breed them or want to save money on feeding them. the babies are almost always very aggressive but they usually outgrow it (but some will always be mean). make sure they have a moist hide box and deep substrate to dig because they lose toes a lot from bad sheds (keep a close eye on their toes).

someone mentioned earlier to check petfinder, i agree and would add craigslist, faunaclassifieds and kingsnake. it's always best to adopt!

is a blue-tongue skink out of the question?
 
if u like boscs or tegus then id try one of those first. iv wanted an ig for years and constantly researching them. i have a bosc and just realising how much time and effort i put in to him....i havnt got another lizard lol and wont till hes passed on.
im a responsible owner and have the space to accomodate (at the time he was guna have an entire conservatory to himself) yet people still wont sell to me for the reason of i was a first time lizard owner and didnt think i knew what i was getting in to. id still love an ig but i dont feel im ready for it right now, more hands on experience.
im treating it like i would a large constrictor lol.

my bosc has been so rewarding and i adore him. id def give one of those a go.
x
 
^ agreed. bosc's (or savannah monitors in the us) are an equally good option imo, although slightly less inquisitive than a tegu. probably going to be easier for you to find and cheaper than a tegu. they end up in rescues all the time.
 
I have a Bosc monitor as well. The only thing you should know is they seem to be a bit more temperamental than argentine tegus. Mines a complete sweetheart when she wants to be but quickly let's you know when she wants to be left alone (no biting or anything just hissing and 'puffing' up)
 
Savannah monitors would be the cheapest but arent quite as non aggressive as some tegus can be. You probably want to for 8x4x4 for the enclosure. Since you want to handle it, a water dragon would be a bad choice since they are extremly flighty. I dont really know much about sailfin dragons. I think youve made a good choice though.
 
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