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 #1547481


KiwiT
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 My first lizard

hey, i’m thinking of getting a lizard ... but i don’t no what to get ? ... im looking for it to big but not really big ?? if anyone could help i would be very greatfull thanks



12/15/07  03:54pm

 #1548495


Madmanmat
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   Message To: KiwiT   In reference to Message Id: 1547481


 My first lizard

for your first lizard i wouldn’t really start with a monitor, best starters are leopard geckos and bearded dragons. bearded dragons are the biggest of the 2 and are awesomely friendly, and are a decent size (18-24 inches)
12/16/07  05:56pm

 #1729623


Angelo
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   Message To: Madmanmat   In reference to Message Id: 1548495


 My first lizard

try a (or pair) ocellated skink, they are cheap, don’t need to much space (a 10 gallon would suit 2-3 animals). but leos and BDs are really good pets to.
05/08/08  06:25pm

 #1731598


3240
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   Message To: Angelo   In reference to Message Id: 1729623


 My first lizard

Actually a dwarf monitor such as an Ackie is a terrific starter lizard. In my opinion, they’re easier than a BD. BDs, need both insects and veggies, get just as large, and have tremendous appetites producing tremendous waste.

Ackies are bullet proof. They eat insects when young. When they’re older you can defrost a few fuzzies, throw in a few insects and never have to deal with vegetables. BD’s also stink up a room compared to an Ackie.



05/11/08  12:36am

 #1839784


Cheezstick
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   Message To: KiwiT   In reference to Message Id: 1547481


 My first lizard

you shuld get brown anoles they need a tank a bout 10 gallons for 4
08/22/08  08:32pm

 #1840119


Morgs71
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   Message To: Cheezstick   In reference to Message Id: 1839784


 My first lizard

blue tongue skinks are gr8 first lizards as well, good size 18-22"
08/23/08  07:02am

 #1844986


Kriminaal
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   Message To: Morgs71   In reference to Message Id: 1840119


 My first lizard

Ackies are not a good starter reptile. No monitors are. They have different care requirements than a lot of other lizards do. It may be a good starter monitor though.
Anyone that says any reptile is "bulletproof" probably hasn’t kept any one species that long and obviously has never kept them in optimum conditions.
I’ve kept Ackies for 5+ yrs and have bred them for about 1 1/2. I continually learn new things about their care from more experienced keepers.

Stick with a leopard gecko. They are easily maintained with minimal effort. But you still need to research them to provide optimum husbandry conditions.
08/28/08  11:22am

 #1846132


3240
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   Message To: Kriminaal   In reference to Message Id: 1844986


 My first lizard

Kriminaal,

I hope that you’re not referring to me. I have been keeping and breeding these reptiles for 20 years and have some "firsts" under my belt. How about you?

Ackies are ideal first lizards for anyone who is willing to invest the time in a little research. This thought that there some graduation process starting with geckos moving on to beardies, etc., etc., is BS.

Ackies are as "bullet proof" as any lizard available.
08/29/08  01:39pm

 #1846742


Mxracer
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   Message To: 3240   In reference to Message Id: 1846132


 My first lizard

I’d have to agree i have found my ackies to be almost bullet proof if you were in canada id sell you one of mine



08/30/08  12:50am

 #1850393


Kriminaal
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   Message To: Mxracer   In reference to Message Id: 1846742


 My first lizard

3240, sorry if I ruffled your feathers.
I’m just tired of seeing posts where people pawn monitors off as being easy to keep. Perhaps easy to keep alive but maybe on the brink of death.
Maybe you forget about the initial person starting up in herpetology being given advice to keep a monitor in a tank like any other reptile with a screen lid to boot.
I agree though with proper research they are not difficult to keep. But where is the correct info on monitor husbandry? Certainly not on most forums. Unless you count the "bulletproof" theory or "keep em hot and feed em a lot" method.
That’s why I don’t recommend them as a beginner reptile. Most of the info on forums is useless.



09/03/08  12:47pm

 #1870150


Reptil
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   Message To: KiwiT   In reference to Message Id: 1547481


 My first lizard

I would go for a bd to strt off. They’re omnivores so for other pets you know how to feed them both. If your looking for something small id go for a leo they dont get very big and are great starters i have 2leos as my first lizards and a beardie was my second. so those would be my top 2 starters!!


RL
09/28/08  06:51pm

 #1893097


1monitorlizard1
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   Message To: Reptil   In reference to Message Id: 1870150


 My first lizard

get a croc monitor HAHAHA



11/04/08  05:40pm

 #1895615


Mxracer
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   Message To: 1monitorlizard1   In reference to Message Id: 1893097


 My first lizard

Quote:

get a croc monitor HAHAHA


Im hoping that was sarcasim but yea i would have to agree with 3240 I have kept both beardies and ackies and i would have to say ackies are much easier once you have the basic’s down like the cage but yea i had difficulties with my beardies cause i always had to go get new MVB bulbs because of my cats they always broke them. So i was spending about $80 a month on 2 lights just for them. But yes ackies are monitors so they need certain things but once you have the cage built proper temps and humidity your all set throw in roachs crickets and supers and pinkie mice and your all good.
11/09/08  11:52am


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