Requesting Assistance About a Future Pet!

[Khishay]

Ok, for the past year or so, as I'm about to leave for college, the idea of a pet has been lodged into my brain. Something new! All my life it's been cat, cat, cat, cat... more cat... and a little more cat than that! I love cats but something different would be nice. Moving out means I'll be in a cat free zone for a while... So, yeah, technically it won't be my first pet, but it will be the first I care for by myself!

I have a year to think about it, and maybe more if college rooms don't allow it, but I've got nothing else to do for the time being! And I'd rather make an educated decision, and have a clue way ahead of time. than run out once I can get a pet. Not being prepared or knowing what I'm getting into would hurt the pet more so than me. I've browsed for a while... seeing websites that look like they want to kill pet owners and others that seem like pet owning is so easy... too easy... Then a thought occurred - I could elicit the information/thoughts from a helpful pet loving community!

With my somewhat primitive knowledge, I know dogs are a not really feasible until I get a backyard and time to spend with it, and I would rather not get another cat... Ferrets, as I read from another post around here, stink. I would rather avoid rodents like mice and such, unless they're good or something? Although, it would be fun to scare people with a pet rat... especially my parents if the occasion arises... *quiet but evil plotting*

So far I'm interested in lizards. I know they need terrariums and the likes vaguely -- the plants, live food sometimes, shedding, etc. -- but am just wondering about how they are as pets. I'm also slightly nervous around the tail losing (autotomy), but I think I could adjust or not cause it!

I'm open to other suggestions also. I have a few ideas on species of lizards I might like, and a few other pet options, but I'm basically just planning right now. This all being said... Comments?

[Kamalia]

Well, the only experience I've had with lizards is my bearded dragon. She's a sweetheart. She never bites, and I swear she is the most expressive animal I've ever seen. The live food thing can be a bit unnerving if you're not one for bugs, but you get used to it after a while. Bearded dragons will eat an assortment of food, the most popular being crickets. The live food should be "dusted" with vitamins and calcium before feeding, and also fed. I believe they sell cricket food and such at most stores. Beardies also eat vegetables and fruits. For water you have to mist them, but I've heard of people getting their dragons to drink out of dishes. They're also very quiet.
It's a good idea to handle them regularly to get them used to it, as well as letting them run around, provided that the area is "baby-proofed". Mine also adores baths. Lukewarm water, so they don't get burned or frozen. Baths also help with the process of shedding and it also helps them digest. Bearded dragons live for about ten years. They also don't lose their tails (naturally, at least!) so you wouldn't have to worry about that. My dragon is about 17 inches (I haven't measured her exactly, so it's a very rough estimate. Bearded dragons can get to around 26 inches, I believe... the males are slightly larger.

...And that's pretty much all the information I can recall off the top of my head. Be sure to do extensive research before deciding on a pet.

[Mania]

My college dorm didn't allow pets, which is why I kept the iguana in the closet and the corn snakes behind the bed. (The iguana had the entire closet, in fact, which I filled with a fake tree and a heat lamp and so forth.)

I am exceedingly fond of lizards. The two I never hesitate to recommend even for beginners are leopard geckos and bearded dragons. Leopard geckos are smaller but slightly more fragile (they can drop their tails, for example), while bearded dragons are slightly larger and just about indestructible. Leopards eat primarily insects and beardeds eat a lot of greens and fruit, plus insects when they are younger. Both tend to be placid, friendly animals. And both come in some really nice color variants.

Since you have some time, I'd start by looking into what those two need in terms of space and care. Even if you decide to go with something else, it will give you a baseline for comparing other species.

If you are comfortable with the idea of a snake, there are some great snakes available also. My favorites for pets are corn snakes, king snakes, and ball pythons.

[Khishay]

I've really been looking at bearded dragons, because I've seen them consistantly recommended by newbie sites. Really, I'm rather fond of them just having looked at them, if that makes any sense! They're one of the sort I'll be really looking into. I'm fine with feeding them bugs and stuff... as long as it's not cockroaches!

The leopard geckos slightly worry me with the tail loss. And, if I remember correctly, when I saw them at the pet store they were rather smallish. I don't want a 10 ft monster (yet ) but not something too small. Something about the smaller pets worries me, I'm not sure why.

I was looking at the ball python, and snakes, and the only thing that worries me is biting! Well, maybe constricting too? Though for some reason I feel more like they'll bite me.

I'm not quite sure which college I'm going to yet... But the one or so I looked at seemed ok with smaller pets like lizards. One was an all girl school but... who knows?

[Vephriel]

I'm a reptile enthusiast as well, so I'm definitely seconding Mania's suggestions. I have a Ball Python myself and they are just amazing snakes, especially for new owners. They're one of the most docile species of snake there is, trust me...you would not have to fear being bitten. I'm not saying it could never happen, but the chances are ridiculously low as long as you don't sit there poking it in the face or something. x) Ball pythons are defensive by nature, they'll curl up into a ball and try to hide before even thinking of biting. Heck, sometimes if mine is having a stubborn shed I'll have to pin him down and gently rub some of it off his face. He doesn't like it, but even after doing that so many times he's never tried to bite once.

[GormanGhaste]

I'd recommend corn snakes for your first reptile--they have a great disposition, are not picky eaters, and are on the smaller end (4-5 ft.) of the constrictors. Also, they come in a large variety of colors to choose from.

[Hunterseth]

well....being a deep southern hillbilly...i have many pets....chickens-ducks-geese-cats-dogs-and a snake...and i think there is wild rabbit that is beginngin to stay at the house..

[mpd_84]

first,find out whats LEGAL in that area and if the place your headed even allows pets.
you may also want to wait and see what your living conditions and potential room mates will be like.some species actually live a very long time if cared for properly so youll want to consider what might happen to it after you finish collage as well.planning for emergencies such as fires would also be a good idea.

and please NEVER use a pet to scare someone.the pet or person could be injured...

[Khishay]

mpd_84 - Oh, of course I wouldn't use a pet like that. I was only kidding really Lobbing pets at people or shoving them in their face is not my specialty. Actually come to think of it, I'm not that good at scaring people... but that's not the point.

Also I will take the dorm and such into greater consideration. Even if the dorm doesn't allow pets, it wouldn't be too long before I go apartment searching. If I do get an apartment, it'll have to allow pets. Just kind of a double standard I've grown up with!

And the legal is a good mention also, which I hadn't considered. A lot of good advice for pets in general! More research to be done...

Thanks all for the advice and suggestions so far!

[zedxrgal]

Ooooooo a favorite topic of mine.

Yes as already stated if you're looking into a reptile pet check your state and city laws which can vary differently.

Going to college is a huge deal so starting small and staying small is really important for multiple reasons. Space is definitely one of them but also money. The bigger they are the more financial requirements they have. This isn't a rule to live by but something to be mindful of.

Even different species of beardie grow very large and it would not be pleasant for you or the pet to all the sudden realize you can't 'keep' each other.

Time is another huge factor. If you're going to have a really busy class schedule then will you truly have the time to care for a pet that has a daily requirement for care???? Beardies are omnivores so one day green stuff next day proteins is their feeding schedule. Will you have the time to put crickets in or meal worms or roaches one day for a feeding then the next day chop greens and fruit for the next feeding?
For a leopard gecko it's counting crickets. Counting crickets you say?? Yep. Crickets are not nice little bugs and if there are left over crickets in a gecko cage and sometimes in a bearded cage an owner comes home to find toes missing, pieces of tail and on rare occasions a death. Very rare but has happened. So it's really important to only dump in a few crickets or one at a time to make sure they're all eaten before you leave. And some geckos aren't fast eaters. Also little leopard geckos, if they're small they're babies. I do not recommend anyone buying a baby reptile as a first reptile pet. Adults are fairly large as yes have that frail tail but if you don't manhandle and pull you'll be fine.

Snakes ................. definitely a great starter. No all species but a corn, ball or something along those lines yes make great starters. Buy adults that way you won't have to worry to much about it growing and not fully knowing what to expect. If size is going to matter buy a male. Females are MUCH larger then males. I've owned several female ball pythons over 5.5 foot. If it has a mouth it can bite you. But this is rare, especially in ball pythons.

When apartment hunting yes ask if they accept pets but be cautious about saying it's a reptile. Most people are not pro-reptile especially snakes. Recent legislation and made up BS has made things even harder for people to accept snakes. This is going to sound so bad but I'm a firm believer in the 'don't ask, don't tell' method. If you're not going to go buck wild and have 50 snakes or a 15+ foot python I wouldn't mention having a reptile pet. I really don't like saying that but it's for the ease and protection in a sense for the both of you. DO NOT MOVE TO FLORIDA! Nasty things happening there for reptiles.

Anyways.

Let me know if you need anything else. I will offer up all I know to help.

[Vephriel]

Zedxrgal brings up some really good points. Another great thing about snakes is that they're fairly low maintenance when compared to other reptiles. Ball pythons, for example, only need to eat once every 10-12 days by the time they're adults. They're not terribly demanding, you basically just have to spot-clean the tanks every now and then, and keep an eye on the water. They aren't messy either. There isn't a strict daily regime you have to worry about so much which makes them a little easier on the mind and the budget.

[Kryte]

I'd also recommend checking to see if the vets in your area can treat whatever you're planning to adopt.

You may also want to hold off altogether for now, especially if you're going to be living in the dorms. Even if you're allowed to keep pets, you could run into trouble if you end up rooming with someone you don't know.

[Fael]

If you aren't allowed to keep pets and you're in a college room you might want to reconsider anything that eats crickets, I think they could give you away with their noise and having one get loose could also happen. If you don't have a roomie that would snitch and they don't check on rooms regularly or anything then it may not matter!

I've heard that rats make wonderful pets, they are quite intelligent and can be very friendly. Other fuzzy pets you could consider are sugar gliders, hedgehogs and even ferrets. Ferrets do have a strong musk, but there are ways to help it from being as noticeable. They can even be trained to perform some tricks for treats. If you prefer a pet that is more likely to be awake during the day there are also Degu, they look a bit like a very large gerbil, are very intelligent and can bond with their owners.

Rabbits make great pets and have lot of personality but they also need a lot of exercise, it's sad to just keep them in a pen. Same with Chinchillas.

[Kaylai]

I completely agree with Kamalia. I have a male Bearded Dragon named Nozdormu (I'm a geek.). I would probably suggest getting a female. Males can get way too big. My dragon is a bit more than two feet right now, and he's begun to refuse eating worms and crickets and has moved on to live mice >.>. I made him an outdoor pen so he has room to walk around and sun bathe, I let him out in it twice a week or so (under supervision). But, you wouldn't really have to do that.
Other than that, Nozzy a huge sweety. He loves to sit on my shoulder or my head and watch me play WoW. He's great company.

I would also suggest leopard geckos. They're cute and easy to take care of. I had two when I was younger.

[Mockingbird]

My vote:

A pair of sugar gliders. (mammals, or possibly marsupials, I forget)
They are the pet I would get if I had the time to contribute to them.
Cutest animals alive, very sociable, bond strongly with people... What's not to love?

Put "sugar glider" into google images and see if it makes you go "squeeeeeeee".

[zedxrgal]

I wouldn't suggest a sugar glider at all. Although small and cute, they're very high maintenance and very illegal in most states. If you can have one they usually require a person to have a permit and in some states that is not cheap and has a lot of red tape that goes with approval like home /enclosure checks etc.