What species to get?

[kc261]

This is something I won't be doing for months at least, maybe years... but it is fun to dream!

I want to someday build a beautiful display cage in my house for some sort of reptile. I do not want it to be huge, like I know some people build cages that are 6' or 8' or more in at least 2 dimensions for bigger snakes or adult iguanas. I want a cage, not a room! I'm envisioning roughly 4'x2' as a footprint, and somewhere between 4' and 8' in height, depending on whether it sits on something or stands on the floor, which will probably in turn depend on the needs of the species.

I would like to be able to decorate the cage with lots of natural looking stuff, and definitely prefer greenery (most likely fake) and possibly a waterfall feature, over something more desertlike.

I probably want an arboreal or partly arboreal species, so it will use the height of the cage.

I definitely want a species that is not terribly shy, because while I do want the cage to be beautiful in its own right, the main point afterall is to show off the animal inside! For the same reason, it probably should not be a primarily nocturnal species. I also want something that can be handled, so when people come over and look and say "oh that's so cool" I can take out the animal for them to meet up close and personal!

I want something that is not too difficult to care for. BP level of difficulty is fine, although the temp and humidity requirements in a larger cage would get harder to deal with, so probably temp/humidity requirements should be less exacting so that getting it right in that big cage will be equally as difficult, if that makes sense. I'm aware that some species of lizards require a slightly complex diet because they need both meat/protein as well as vegetables in their diet, and that kind of thing would be ok too.

So... what suggestions do you all have that fits these requirements? I want to start researching and planning!

[Kennyxemerson]

well, there isnt really anything that fits EVERYTHING you listed. a bp level SEMI arboreal with a good temper would be a carpet python, but thats a nocturnal species. you really aren't going to find what you're looking for when you're that specific..

[Shelby]

True.. that is a lot of requirements. A cage that large is going to be difficult to keep with stable temps/humidity..

Most arboreal snakes are known for being nippy.. There are docile ones for sure, however they aren't usually the norm. Arboreals tend to be a bit delicate as well.. sensitive to humidity levels.

Carpet pythons are very cool snakes.. they are semi-arboreal, however they become more terrestrial as they mature. Many are docile, though babies can be little dragons. They are not shy like BPs either. If you can keep proper temps/humidity in your cage, they are a good option.

As far as arboreal lizards go.. monkey tailed skinks (aka prehensile tailed skink) come to mind. They're interesting little critters.. they give live birth, and they are bred in captivity. I have never kept one, but I have experience with other skinks, and generally they make a nice pet and are easy keepers.

Chameleons are awesome lizards, however they are very delicate and are not generally a lizard you handle a lot.. some people have veiled or panther chameleons that are handleable however.. those are the best beginner species.

A chinese water dragon is a cool option.. looks like a iguana (prettier I think) but is not nasty like one.. or as big. Males top out at 2-3'.. they are insectivores, though they eat some fish sometimes, and a few will nibble at fruit.

Well, that gives you some options to think about.

[kc261]

Thanks for the replies!

It didn't sound like that many requirements when I wrote it. I knew I would be eliminating more species than I was including by far, but I thought out of all the species of reptiles that are kept as pets, there would still be plenty of choices.

One thing I thought would be a possibility that neither of you mentioned is I thought some species of rat snake are semi-arboreal? Like in theory I could go catch one of the black rat snakes that are common in this area and that would fit what I'm imagining. Except of course I don't want a WC one, but I think that is part of what made me think it wasn't too limiting of a requirement list. Or is there something that makes the semi-arboreal rat snakes not suitable?

I am familiar with what a Chinese water dragon is and I think they are beautiful animals, but I thought that they required cages about as big as iguanas because even though they don't get as big they are more active and so they still need lots of space?

I will look into the other species that have been mentioned.

Anyone else have any ideas?

[SatanicIntention]

I think a Water Dragon would go great in that size enclosure, provided you could keep the humidity up. They definitely don't get as big as an Iggy, by far.

You could look into a Black Milksnake, they get very good sized and robust. A Vietnamese Blue Beauty would appreciate all that space. They are also an impressive colubrid, size-wise and personality. Indigo snake? They are harder to find but they are gorgeous and good sized.

And Monkey-Tailed Skinks are TO DIE FOR cute. Very personable little faces

[Lucero87]

an arboreal snake would be a GTP and while they're nocturnal they don't hide so people would be able to see it if they walked by although they're not the easiest snakes to handle/take care of

[Shelby]

Indigo snakes are awesome.. but you're looking at $1000 or more for CB and you need a permit to keep them in most states.

I didn't think of the rat snakes.. beauty snakes are super cool. BIG colubrids and quite active.

[daniel1983]

I keep trying to thing of an active tropical lizard that would enjoy the space and have minimal care requirements.....no luck though...

Now if you want to set up a mixed vivarium with a few geckos, dart or reed frogs, and maybe a rough green snake.....that would be pretty cool.

Rough green snakes are cool snakes. Stay small. Very docile. You could put 4-5 of them in that one enclosure if you wanted and they would thrive in the greenery.

If you were willing to go 'desertlike', a whole world of possibilities would open up

Desert lizard species make for the best display animals in my opinion.

[jeffjr464]

when i read your post first thing that came to mind was carpet python, coastal to be exact or another cool option would be to make a beardie colony

[WingedWolfPsion]

Irian Jaya carpet python would have my vote.