reptile ownership progression

[mahender]

does everyone agree that people should build up to keeping reptiles i.e
get a geck then a beardie then an ig/bosc, then a komodo.

my point being is i never even really knew what an iguana was before i got him. my timeframe of purchase was this.

i had no reptiles prior to having him. didnt even consider it.

offer, then i said yes, then i spent
the next week reading my arse off. i then spent tweo/3 weeks building his vivarium got everything settled temp wise then took on seraphine

ok correct way you may say. but

seraphine had to spend another two weeks in his 2.5 ft viv that the previous owner had him in.
bear in mind he was over 2.5 ft long.

now as everyone has probably seen my endless posts about him.
he is healthy wealthy and wise.

he wants for nothing and has as much as i can give him

so the question.

am i bad herper coz i didnt work my way up??

have i done a bad job cause i didnt work my way up?

i think the only things you need are intelligence, passion and a love for your animal that you have decided to have a s apet.

[Myjb23]

In an ideal world, yes..

But i did the same as you, started off with an ig (bought from a pet shop - shameful!!) and then was hooked! Ended up with various gekos and snakes so i did it the wrong way round really. I loved my ig though. Reading through some of the horror stories on here i was very lucky. She was rather grumpy when i got her, but she tamed down really well with regular handling and was a really friendly girl! Super tame, she'd sit on my lap like a dog and watch TV with me!! Never had any medical problems or anything, she was the easiest little (BIG!) lizard to look after, miss her loads!!

I dont really think there is any right or wrong way. As long as you are willing to ask for help and take it when its given and have the welfare of the lizard as a priority then you are a good keeper. No one will ever know everything, but you have to be willing to research and learn

[Skooba]

I think you're living proof mahender that if you care about something enough and you're willing to put in the time and effort then reptile ownership progression isn't really a factor.

I guess just because somebodys kept beardies for 15 years it doesn't automatically qualify them to keep a komodo?

[ginnerone]

Yeah i agree as long as you do your research first etc, although i do think certain species should be set aside for more experienced herpists, although i general i don't see what the difference is if you start with a beardie or an iggy as long as you've done shi*t loads of research and got your viv's and stuff ready before hand, i will still suggest leo's or beardies to first time keepers as they are usually a good test, if they aint got the time and patience for a simplish to keep rep then they are gonna really struggle with more time consuming reps like iggy's and big monitors, and if they ask on the forum they'll be back on in a month asking thery're cool what's next challenge untill they got millions of lizards like most of us lol.

[spend_day]

Ok I get the idea behind working your way up but I don't think its a necessity especially for adults (kids are a bit different). As long as you have done the research, asked the questions and got the equipment and know when to ask for help then I dont see the problem in getting what you want over something u might not want.

Also I think peoples definition of a beginner rep is too strick, like it has to be a leo or a beardie or a corn, there are masses of species on the market these days ok some aren't as easily tamed, or have slightly more complex requirements but that doesn't mean they are bad starter reps

[CreepyCrumpet]

I do believe that as long as you have done you research and know what is coming your way when getting a certain animal you can be a very good keeper!

I think you have done excellent with your Iggy, he is so handsome!

Mine and the OH's first snake was our Burm Tarrie, we just fell in love with her straight away, we got her when she was 3 months, i researched my ass off before we made the purchase and knew we could handle it, 2, nearly 3 years down the line we have a beautiful big gentle girl who we can read like a book, i know her inside and out and can tell things by her body language and i know all of her moods.

I think as long as you know what is coming your away you can acomplish it

[ginnerone]

the snails can make your brain turn funny so u start ackting like chimpanzee noises so be warned'

Sorry i could'nt help it pmsl, some looney wrote this about GALS i just thought everyone was entitled to a good laugh.
Sorry i know it's nothing to do with the thread but you thought it was funny didn't ya

[mahender]

Originally Posted by ginnerone

the snails can make your brain turn funny so u start ackting like chimpanzee noises so be warned'

Sorry i could'nt help it pmsl, some looney wrote this about GALS i just thought everyone was entitled to a good laugh.
Sorry i know it's nothing to do with the thread but you thought it was funny didn't ya

hi mate. that would befunny if i understood it lol

for everyone else. i dont mean this as a big up me thread.

thanks for your nice words tho.

[mahender]

Originally Posted by Myjb23

In an ideal world, yes..

But i did the same as you, started off with an ig (bought from a pet shop - shameful!!) and then was hooked! Ended up with various gekos and snakes so i did it the wrong way round really. I loved my ig though. Reading through some of the horror stories on here i was very lucky. She was rather grumpy when i got her, but she tamed down really well with regular handling and was a really friendly girl! Super tame, she'd sit on my lap like a dog and watch TV with me!! Never had any medical problems or anything, she was the easiest little (BIG!) lizard to look after, miss her loads!!

I dont really think there is any right or wrong way. As long as you are willing to ask for help and take it when its given and have the welfare of the lizard as a priority then you are a good keeper. No one will ever know everything, but you have to be willing to research and learn

glad it wasnt just me. lol
and i too have been amazingly lucky with my little man.
he is so laid back and cool.
he has his moments like all 'kids' at 3 years old. lol

[joeyboy]

personally I don't agree. Reason being with enough research you should be capable of providing a suitable set-up and diet.

Also lets say I get 10 leos and keep leos for 5 years, then I get a beardie, then 3 years later I get a Argentine black and white tegu or an even bigger monitor. I don't think the two former lizards prepare me for a large tegu or monitor.

I'd say each one has rather different care requirements and keeping smaller to medium lizards wont really prepare you for an Iggy, large monitor etc.

Also there's a chance people will buy lizards which are easier to keep as stepping stones, when all they really want is the tegu, Iggy etc. So these lizards may be ignored when they get the actual pet they wanted in the first place.