Thinking of trading in the fish for an Iguana or Gecko or Other

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Q

quicklynx

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Apr 10, 2009
160
36
61
Maryland
Hey guys. I'm thinking of trading the fish and the tank and trying a reptile.

I've never owned one before so I was thinking of trying out an Iguana or a Leopard Gecko. Maybe even both.

I know both are supposed to be suitable for a beginner like myself, but I'm leaning towards the Iguana because they tend to eat the same foods my Wife and I eat. We are already buying fresh fruits and veggies every other day as is so it would just be added to the list. They also grow big and I'm a "bigger is better" type of guy.

I'm wondering if I can setup a couple of plants and indoor trees that are iguana safe within my home and just letting an Iguana loose on it. I don't know if I necessarily need to cage one as I can just close off the section of the house when we are out.

How messy are the Iguanas with where they deprecate? Our home is mostly carpeted and my Wife would not be happy if it just started going wherever it wants. I'm guessing this is just one of those things you can't control well with lizards. The wondering lizard throughout my home is appealing to me, but I know it's not a cat or dog that is trained in specific places it can go.

If the deprecation problem is that bad and too hard to train then I guess I'd lean towards a Gecko that I can handle when I feel but wouldn't travel through the home. I wouldn't have to worry about it feeling stressed from being in an enclosure.

Any suggestions?

Thanks
 
Not a bad suggestion. I think I would prefer the Gecko over the Bearded though.

What about a Blue Tongue Skink or a Crocodile Skink? Are those all right for beginners?

Just out of curiosity could you house an Iguana and Bearded together? Or would there likely be aggression?
 
I love my bearded dragon though. As long as you know his bathroom patterns you can let him out around the house for play time and they are very social and hand able.

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The space isn't a big deal at all. I know they get quite large which is something that is attractive to me.

The danger factor matters though. I'm glad you brought that up. Are you guys successful with taming aggression? Do you think someone like me with no experience would have any problems with taming an aggressive reptile?

That being said I am a responsible adult and not someone that isn't capable of a challenge. I will take great care of whatever animal I have, as would my wife. She spoils things... had to tell her not to overfeed the fish. :)

I don't have kids yet, but do plan on it, so if I get an Iguana it would have to be tame over time.
 
I had the same idea a few years ago. Got two leopard geckos and they looked really cool...but they are pretty lazy. and you have to feed them insects. I kept a ton of crickets at a time to gut load them and so i didn't have to go to the pet store too often. but, i got tired of crickets in the house.

I sold them and got bichirs.
 
quicklynx said:
Hey guys. I'm thinking of trading the fish and the tank and trying a reptile.

I've never owned one before so I was thinking of trying out an Iguana or a Leopard Gecko. Maybe even both.

I know both are supposed to be suitable for a beginner like myself, but I'm leaning towards the Iguana because they tend to eat the same foods my Wife and I eat. We are already buying fresh fruits and veggies every other day as is so it would just be added to the list. They also grow big and I'm a "bigger is better" type of guy.

I'm wondering if I can setup a couple of plants and indoor trees that are iguana safe within my home and just letting an Iguana loose on it. I don't know if I necessarily need to cage one as I can just close off the section of the house when we are out.

How messy are the Iguanas with where they deprecate? Our home is mostly carpeted and my Wife would not be happy if it just started going wherever it wants. I'm guessing this is just one of those things you can't control well with lizards. The wondering lizard throughout my home is appealing to me, but I know it's not a cat or dog that is trained in specific places it can go.

If the deprecation problem is that bad and too hard to train then I guess I'd lean towards a Gecko that I can handle when I feel but wouldn't travel through the home. I wouldn't have to worry about it feeling stressed from being in an enclosure.

Any suggestions?

Thanks
Click to expand...

Yes,
Do more research and reading on how to keep green iguanas in captivity,
alot of your ideas and comments are way off.
 
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