What tank pet should I get?

[JayDangerVL]

Hey guys, so now that fall's hit, I'm looking into getting a higher maintenance pet than my usual P. Audax favorites. More than anything in the world, I want a tarantula. However, I still live with my father and he's just arachnophobic enough that he won't let me get one... so... I have to look at other options. (For the same reason, I can't get a snake. Mom'll freak.) Our lease won't allow us dogs, cats, or other free roaming animals, so that limits me to pets contained in tanks or aquariums.

Does anyone have any ideas for an interesting, interactive tank pet? (I used to keep hermit crabs, but they're terribly shy...)

 

[JZC]

Your 21. Get a T and have a beer while your at it, lol! Anyway, rats and guinea pigs rock, or if you want a reptile, blue tongue skink, bearded dragon or if you have the space black and white argentine tegu. If you want a small reptile, day gecko, crested gecko or leopard gecko etc.

 

[MatthewM1]

Frogs are pretty awesome, pacman frogs and African bullfrogs get up to pretty large sizes, around 4" for the pacs and some of the male bullfrogs(also called pixie frogs) can hit 9+ and most will eat anything that crosses their paths, including rodents and other small vertebrates

Sent from my LG-P930 using Tapatalk 2

 

[SamuraiSid]

You should come home with a giant centipede and freak your dad out. He said no T's

Im not a big fan, but bearded dragons are fantastic lizards. Very interactable and they get up to a decent size.

 

[cerialkiller]

Bearded dragon , very interactive and fun to have

 

[Thistles]

Cresties are easy to keep, easy to handle and easy to find. A+ geckos.

 

[JayDangerVL]

Haha, y'all have no idea how often I've considered sneaking in a tarantula without my dad knowing... ...but he is kind enough to let me live at home without making me pay rent, and I certainly owe him enough to respect his wishes. (I'm still trying to wear him down, though.)

Geckos, huh? Sounds awesome. But I'm surprised no one's mentioned turtles or tortoises... are those a hassle? I hear they can carry salmonella, but I know some people still keep them as pets anyway.

 

[JZC]

Tortoises rock. I have one. They are high maintenance, but they are adorable and funny. They can be well worth it. Need a lot of space, by they are awesome.

 

[JayDangerVL]

What about chameleons? Does anyone here have any experience with those?

 

[MichelleLynn]

Vinegaroons are super awesome! My Mom won't let me get a T either, so I got a vinegaroon a few weeks ago. It's very docile and active. He digs little burrows all around the tank

 

[JayDangerVL]

Vinegaroons are super awesome! My Mom won't let me get a T either, so I got a vinegaroon a few weeks ago.

How can your mom not let you get a T, but let you have a vinegaroon? Like, I realize they're not the same--but--that little guy looks far more intimidating than a tarantula, in my very personal opinion.

 

[Wikiman12]

When I was in first grade, I had a veiled chameleon. (unfortunately, after a couple of months, he was stolen D: I, being a 1st grader, cried for 2 months and thought every chameleon at every pet store was him) I just gave him some climbing things and leaves, (nothing from outside, artificial is good but you could have some live plants) and misted once every morning and evening. Their bite doesn't hurt, mostly to intimidate. Feeding was fun, had a bowl of mealworms and 6-10 crickets a day. I wasn't very precise with feeding and cleaning, but I cleaned his poopoo whenever I saw it and changed the substrate monthly. It's best to check the chameleon forums or google a caresheet before getting them. They are quite high maintenance. It is good to hand feed, because they will learn to see you as a source of food and not a predator. He was such a sweet little guy. I miss him. Chameleons are very good pets imho

 

[JayDangerVL]

When I was in first grade, I had a veiled chameleon. (unfortunately, after a couple of months, he was stolen D:

That's so sad! T.T

Thanks for the advice, there. But, and I don't want to sound like such a sissy, has no one here had trouble with salmonella and reptiles? I've never kept a reptile before, but the internet keeps warning me left and right about it. Is it really that big a deal? Or am I fine so long as I keep everything clean? I just want to have all my facts straight before I take another little life into my hands.

 

[MichelleLynn]

How can your mom not let you get a T, but let you have a vinegaroon? Like, I realize they're not the same--but--that little guy looks far more intimidating than a tarantula, in my very personal opinion.

I have no clue :sarcasm: I also have a pair of Emperor Scorpions, I'm not sure why she is ok with them... I'm glad she is though

 

[Thistles]

What about chameleons? Does anyone here have any experience with those?

Tortoises and turtles are a huge pain in the butt. If you're really into them, they're worth it but for me they're too much of a hassle for not enough payoff. Most need more room than people expect and turtles need water changes and tortoises need fresh food and... it's just not worth it. Also, the poop. Ugh.

Chams are cool but they aren't great for beginners. I used to breed veiled chams, and those are probably the most beginner-friendly. My issue was feeding got to be too expensive. They also aren't exactly an "interactive" pet. Most chams stress too easily to handle.

 

[SamuraiSid]

That's so sad! T.T

Thanks for the advice, there. But, and I don't want to sound like such a sissy, has no one here had trouble with salmonella and reptiles? I've never kept a reptile before, but the internet keeps warning me left and right about it. Is it really that big a deal? Or am I fine so long as I keep everything clean? I just want to have all my facts straight before I take another little life into my hands.

Lots of herps carry salmonella but the truth is most of us could lick up and down a raw chicken leg all day without getting sick. My wife works with kids and they love reptiles and tarantulas. Whenever the bolder ones are up for holding a snake, we always do it with direct supervision to ensure they dont decide to lick the animal, or anything else along those lines. Plus any potential safety concerns :sarcasm: Have to keep the parents happy
Just make sure to wash your hands after, and always the kids and elderly.

That being said, I dont think its an issue with beardies and geckos, but I could be wrong.

 

[Thistles]

That being said, I dont think its an issue with beardies and geckos, but I could be wrong.

I think they do carry it. Just like mammal intestines are usually full of E. coli, most egg laying animals carry Salmonella. Turtles are especially bad because they defecate in water and then swim in it so they get it all over themselves. Certain species are more likely to carry it, but I am pretty sure they all can potentially.

 

[JayDangerVL]

Well I've been getting a lot of recommendations for Crested Geckos, so I think I might take that route... but in the interest of exploring all my options, does anyone know anything about Gargoyle Geckos?

 

[freedumbdclxvi]

Uromastyx. Great personalities.

 

[ShredderEmp]

I'd go with a gecko. I kinda want one.