5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Getting Reptiles 

The last one . You'll always want more. I retired last year. and finally took up this hobby of reptiles. My first were Leopard geckos, too easy. then I got a Bearded Dragon, and a friend gave me another. then I saw an Iguana that had been at the pet store for too long. So I got Her too. Then 2 Crested geckos rescued. My Dragon Breeder/pet shop offered a 3 leg'd runt, red bearded Dragon, pet only. So I have a family of reptiles in less than a year. Tell, you What? I'm Really happy with them all. I grow my own veggies and have a colony of dubia roaches. I own my home so I can build a room for them. All is well.

“I got a guy... who delivers to my house”

Got an idea for a Halloween video. Top 5 Mythological Reptiles!!!

I always scoffed at reptile addiction. I thought I’d be fine with my ball python. But now I’m obsessively looking at hognoses even though I don’t have room for another tank unless it sits in the middle of my floor 😅

I enjoy the rambling lol... the key is your rambling is entertaining and informative 👍👍

I spent a lot of money on beautiful water bowls. My ball pythons hate them, they prefer drinking from porcelain bowls. Now I have nothing to eat cereals out of.🥺

Growing my own meal worms has saved me so much money with even just my 2 leopard geckos :)

I used to be afraid of reptiles. We adopt 3 boys that wanted them. Talked me into them. Fell in love. We now have 50 species of reptiles, tortoises, turtles and so on.

This might be specific to the country (Germany) but I noticed that decorative items and caves for aquariums are a lot cheaper than those with the "reptile" stickers. The caves aren't relevant for grown snakes but I found many cheap options that still look decorative that were perfect for my baby corn snakes. Playgrounds for hamsters make great climbing fixtures for agile snakes, look fun, and offer nice textures (just make sure no nails stick out, that they used 100% resin-free wood for them, and that your scaley idiot roommate can't get stuck anywhere). And those things are cheap. As for decorative flowers, plants, leaves - dollar items are great but you can also get some really pretty pieces from more expensive stores if you pay attention to the seasonal changes in their shops. Prices can drop from ten or more Euro to just 1-3,- when they need to get rid of their summer collection at the begin of fall, for example. It's always better two know 2-3 food sources before you need them. I thought I was good with the one the breeder of snake #1 recommended. They are good but often don't have the sizes I need and once they had it per se, they were out of stock. Consider overnight shipping and dry ice in your calculations. The feeding costs for one snake are still a lot lower per month than those for a cat or dog but express shipping + ice easily triple the price per meal (that's okay, just mentioning it for people who operate on a tighter budget). Starterkits are meh. I considered getting the ones for corn snakes but they were too big for what snake #1's breeder recommended for babies and too small for a grown one. DIY is an option for crafty people who love a project, or who have good, reliable friends who love a crafty project. Tanks here are ridiculously expensive. I got one that's just 90x45x45cm on a bargain for my growth-stunted corn that will probably never even reach 80cm so that's fine for him. The 2nd adult tank is 1mx1mx60cm, mostly DIY (an "Ikea"-esque set if you will), and with lamps and the necessities to sculpture the back wall, the total is around 250,- Euro. A glass or plastic tank in that size would be around 500,- Euro without shipping and without lamps. I like being the snake woman. I'm not ashamed to say that I fully take advantage of the sob-story of my first snake - he escaped when just a few months old, in winter, was found over a month later and was in a very poor condition, recovered beautifully but is stunted in his growth. It's a great icebreaker and gets the interest and empathy of people who love animals in general but are wary of snakes. But letting people watch your snake doing its snake things (or showing pictures/videos) and then casually mention "Did you know that snakes have two dicks?" is also always a great icebreaker. What I want to say it, if you like being that snake person and want to make use of it by educating people a little in a fun way, the way to go are empathy-inducing stories if you have experienced one, dicks, or aggravating poop stories. The addiction - I think it's important to take a moment or ten and think hard what you want out of that hobby. Collection, breeding, learning, taking care of them, rescuing/fostering neglected animals, interacting... I focus a lot in interaction and observing my snakes' behaviour, partly to see how far their intelligence and learning ability can go (mixed and amusing results so far). This takes up at least two hours, usually longer, each day they are not out of commission and in the mood for interacting. And that's just two snakes. As much as I'd love to adopt a third one, it'd be difficult to make "snake interactor and belly scratcher" a full-time job. Someone who plans to breed sets different priorities. It's a good idea to think about what you really want to get out of the hobby before you have ten reptiles and realize you were much happier with half as many or when it was just you and your first reptile buddy.

I have loved reptiles my whole life...however as a grandma I just got to the point of being able to get them. I have become so addicted...I started with a ball python, than after about 20 I have now 2 boas, oh and now I want a pair of dumerils, and I just traded a couple baby corns for a jungle carpet. Now I want more of those as well.

When I worked at a pet store my most despised started kit is for aquatic turtles, because I fear 90% of ppl won't upgrade when they need to. I would basically refuse to sell RES if they were going to buy it.

Man, do you breed your own insects? If you do so, could you make a video showing your breeding systems

Doing good man! Up for 3 minutes and already soo many likes 😂

I have only ONE corn snake, and for some reason my entire extended family knows me as "the snake kid".... and it's only one snake. Craziness lol.

Yes, yes, yes, yes, and GOSH YES. I am now making sure that everyone I know who is planning on getting a reptile watches this. And yes, addiction is real. Luckily (or unluckily) I have only so much space, so I really CAN'T get another reptile (she says, glancing at the new 4x2x2 hab for the bearded dragon, and wondering if she can just stick a leopard gecko tank on top of it...)

Here's another similar video topic idea: Top 5 go-to sources for "doing your research"

On the reptile/tattoo analogy... You'll never have only one. Once you've got one you'll get between 1 and 200 more.

I miss expos too. My roommate, husband, and I were so excited about an expo near us in Pennsylvania 11/28, then realized we all work that day.

I got my first reptiles today! Did my research for a couple of months. Happy and proud owner of a premium red bearded dragon, halmahera blue tongue skink, and a Dumeril's Boa. I'm so friggin stoked! So much anxiety unboxing these beauties. 😁

Love the tips!

Thank you for sharing. Love your videos and information you share. Can't wait for more content

Great List!

Your videos are great. Your channel is the first channel I have become obsessed with in a long time! It is awesome! Thank you.

Well done brother dead on good job the best video by far keep up the good work and glad we are on. The same team keep it up brother

This list made me really thankful for the fact that I have an actual reptile shop in my town. Getting reptiles is very addicting. I planned on having 2 reptiles, a crested gecko and a leo or a bearded dragon. Got a leo. Now I have two crested geckos, two leos, two pacman frogs and a chinese cave gecko. On feeders in a month a probably spend $20. I bought months of crested gecko food before I got them. I am getting a fire skink today because they are something I wanted but thought I wouldn't see, that happened with my cave gecko. I do plan on, over the next few years, getting one of all the New Caledonian geckos. No more after this fire skink even though they have 4 lizards I would love to own.

Great video for new and seasoned keepers alike. I can relate to number 2 for sure. My local pet shop had my phone number on file and would call me for advice to give to new pet owners because they knew i kept different species and my info was correct and up to date. No lie

All of these are absolutely true. I applaud your honesty.

Love your channel and I’m obsessed with your content!

Oh cool! I love these kinds of videos. Dbcb exotics did the same video a few days ago :)

I got a starter kit for my bearded dragon she grew out of it in less then 3 months she’s not has a 150 gallon and I have a Leo in her old tank

Can relate to the reptile guy cause I work on a duck farm people always have questions and from that day on I’m the duck guy 😂😂

Man this stuff is so true. Around me, expos are the cheapest place to get frozen feeders and all the serious keepers get there early for that reason. At this point it's once in a blue moon that I buy something for my reptiles at an actual pet store: usually its walmart or lowes. I cringe when I look at some of the marketed "starter kits". I've been the "critter guy" since i was in kindergarten. I've put the breaks on adding to my collection, but I've got 6 acres and I'd love to turn it into my own Kamp Kenan....I never stop wanting more

Finally got here first! keep up the great content man

Love this content

I wish I knew that the little tiny holes in some enclosures are big enough for baby snakes to slither out of...

great video

😂 this is such a true video. I’m the reptile person. I was literally given two reptiles this year. Which is awesome they are amazing but also ooops I didn’t plan on having this many. And I think I’ve hit the place where I’m comfortable with.

WAIT I did not know I can buy a regular bulb for the heat... You have given me so much information!

I got my Cresty 6 years ago from PetSmart when my wife worked there. Then we just got a Leachianus from a casual breeder in my area and a friend in my neighborhood breeds ball pythons so we got one of those too. So I think we're good for a bit lol. But I just learned the clay pottery for dishes 2 weeks ago when I went to the garden store to set up my Leachys enclosure. 1.50 each! Great video!

Lol that last one is so true, I came up on nearly all of my reptiles because I was the "reptile" kid. It was great in some ways because I basically never paid a big retail price for any of those animals (probably why I'm so stingey about animal costs), but the dark side of the coin was getting really sick animals that I was not qualified to rehabilitate, and basically just watching them check out and burying them for their original owners.

LOVE your videos! I live in Canada so your prices are very similar so I don’t have to look up the actual price :) Your vidéos really help me as a beginner reptile owner thank you!

Brilliant video as normal

Really awesome video!! Especially liked the topic: You're gonna become the reptile guy. Most my family and friends that know that I really love reptiles know that they can come to me with questions about them. One time my Uncle called me and was asking me what to do with a young boa or python that had evidently gotten loose from its owner. It was also injured pretty badly by his description, which was all I had to go on because he didn't show me a pic of it. I just suggested that he take it to a vet who is familiar with snakes and ofcourse he asks me if I would like to have it and do that. I was just honest with him that I don't really have any experience in caring for boas or pythons and I don't have room for it. I don't know what really happened to the snake, he just told me that he found someone to take care of it. Those were some really good topics to go over 🙂. Y'all take care and will see ya in the next video 🙂.

As I'm getting a gargoyle gecko in a few weeks, this will be helpful! Edit: Well, my five years of research sadly taught me all of this...

Finally someone who mentions the heat bulbs. Pet store heat bulbs are a rip off. I stopped after all the ones I got barely lasted a week. Iv'e since bought my bulbs from the hardware store in bulk for way less. I'm surprised other pet youtubers fall for this trap as well.

I understand all about wanting to get more animals, and if they are offered to you, they can be hard to resist. It's always interesting to learn first hand why each one is different from species to species, or even what makes one of the same species different from another.

The “reptile guy” thing expands beyond that. I got a kitten in middle school. She’s always been a family pet. I never owned a cat outside my one family cat that I haven’t lived with since high school. Still get messages anytime a friend needs help rehoming kittens/cats 🙄

nice video

I got my first reptile (as an adult) 2 weeks ago, went to NARBC over the weekend and brought home a new one... BUT I literally have done research on all the reptiles I want (so far) for the last 3 months straight, so luckily I was prepared. Taking a small step back though until I get them used to being here and eating and all that.

I know what you mean i live in Nebraska middle of nowhere and everyone thinks I'm weird but I always have people asking if they can come see them especially the durmeril boa she has changed alot of peoples minds about snake shes so nice

So, I'm currently on my second reptile (a currently 8 month old beardie) and I used to have a leo but he passed away sadly. I love the video but I have to say, I kept staring at your beardie cuz he looked so comfy on your shoulder. So, now I'm gonna subscribe mainly for the beardie.

Adam: "Reptiles are addictive. You're going to want more." Me: >___________> ________> Yes....

Yes. Always want more reptiles... And tattoos.

Your code for cages isn’t taking us to their website. Just letting you know. Loved today’s video! I just got back into reptiles, so I’m close to falling down all those wells! Lol 😝

i’d really appreciate a video on special care you take for your amphibians versus your reptiles

thank you man i just found a good breeder on morph market and i am gonna get my ball python soon im so happy

All accurate information , a bit more info on breeding feeder insects could be beneficial too . Thank you !

you are so right on your number one, i am new to the reptile world i have always been an animal lover, i have dogs, cats,fish, bearded dragon, crested gecko, and a pink toe tarantula. if i had all the money in the world i would have a pet rescue

I absolutely want more. I’ve been wanting more for years! But I’m trying to wait until I fall for one species for at least a year. We just don’t have the space for a huge collection.

I can’t wait until you get 100k

Yeah, I definitely fell for that #1. I got my first snake (a hognose) in August. Then less than two weeks later, I bought a Brooks Kingsnake because I fell in love with it when I went in to get food for my hognose. Now I want more hognoses. BUT I know that the way my reptile building is set up at the moment, I don't have space for more reptiles. I need to figure out some sort of shelving or stackable enclosures for when these guys become adults, and then I can get another baby or two and they can use my baby enclosures from these two. So... I have to wait at least a year before I get another reptile. I still want a bearded dragon, but I'm not sure I have the time to properly care for a beardie.

Absolutely man i have a couple snakes and a skink recently, just obsessed now youre right about that too! But totally, im the "reptile guy" now to everyone 😂

Another thing is you can always make stuff! I copied this super cute four poster bed I saw on Etsy and it looks so cool in my beardie’s tank and she actually lays in it

I had somebody tell me to make sure i don't put my snake next to me...i couldn't stop laughing lol

I use a paint roller handle for my snake hook. Works perfectly and is very strong

As a Petco employee, the Petco I work at cares more about animals than the money. Can't say anything about the business overall, but mine is pretty solid. We know what to and what not to recommend, and we take good care of all of the animals in our care. We'll even take rehomed animals in. We do sell some lower quality stuff, but we will NEVER recommend it!

I have always loved reptiles but never thought I'd want more than 1. I have a little musk turtle and he is so cool that recently, and especially since watching videos like yours and Clint's Reptiles, I have this itch to get another type of reptile. Specifically a leopard gecko or a crested gecko (and of course my brain says one day I can have both!). And then come the twitches for ball pythons and bearded dragons and B&W tegus when I'm more experienced 😅 it's definitely addictive, you're right about that! I'm trying so hard just to stick with Mr. T. He's all I need! And yet... 🤣

Here’s a video suggestion: X things every reptile keeper needs to check/do before taking a weekend vacation. Love your stuff man it just came to me. Not even planning a trip.

"you become the rescue" So true. I only have 3 reptiles and all three are from people who needed to rehome them. All people I know personally too. Also, the other day out of the blue someone offered me a budgie out of the blue yesterday.

One of my beardie's favorite hide is a cardboard photo box that I cut a hole in and lined with soft fabric. Also look for local enclosure builders. I was able to buy a custom build enclosure from a local guy for not much more than a mass produced one.

When I move in January I'm planning on getting a ball python but I have a list of snakes I want already 😂 already picked out the enclosure and I'm just waiting lol

The last like three hit hard bc people always ask me questions and if I’ll take their animals that have problems and of course I will but I always make sure to research before taking them in but I’m definitely the reptile guy in my family, work place, and just everywhere and I love it tbh wouldn’t trade it for there world i love all my animals and plan on starting my own pet store type of business in the future. I have debated about actually starting a RU-vid channel about everything but am just very awkward around the camera.

Number 1 is so true 😂 but honestly research is so important

Yes, to number two! You tell ppl 'i got three snakes' everyone goes: ewwwwww! 🙄

They are soooo addictive!!! But I love it.

Yes... you very quickly learn a snake is not just a snake. Every one has their neat quirks. And you need them. Because they are beautiful and charming.

You look like my history teacher with a beard. only did i realize that by watching you during history class

Keep up the good content and can you do a video on top 5 venomous reptiles you would own.

The whole, "you will be the reptile guy or the reptile girl" is so true lol. Im "snake mother" in my work group chat 🤣

I live in California, and it's not any cheaper lol and a really good substitute for a hide, I take flowerpots, dremmel out a hole that looks like a crack, then paint it however I want. Really cheap way to have tons of hides

Wicken if you see this you gotta make a subreddit love the content man

If your good with building stuff or have a friend who’s good at carpentry,make your own melamine enclosure :) hardware stores have everything you need for building enclosures including ceramic fittings for heat bulbs. Get into a herpetological society, find good exotic vets. I’m a vet nurse and I’d still go to a exotic specialist as we may only see a reptile once every 2 weeks 🤷🏼‍♀️ If you think your reptile is unwell,don’t dr google or ask Facebook pages !

HOLY CRAP YES I CAN RELATE TO THE FIRST ONE

as far as enclosures, the pvc ones are rather expensive i would love 1 and unlike the vision cages that are 1 solid cast cage , the kagez ones seem to be well in parts so easy to bring into the house or go up staur, i would love to get like a 6x6x2 ffor my tiger ratsnake female or similar size cage.

you can get good uvb in a plant light, cheaper by a bit then the reptile branded

Oof when you said number 2 I was like oh shit that’s me 😅

I just set up my baby tegu, using a livestock water tank for an enclosure and livestock feed bowls for water and one flipped over for a hide. Yard pavers stacked securely to give a basking spot.

I've a 20 gallon ZooMed starter kit for my corn snake at the moment, more so I didn't have to remove anything from the 120 gallon enclosure he'll be going into once he's shed a few more times though. Was mainly because a local chain pet store near me happened to incorrectly price it though, so was as close to shoplifting as you can get without breaking the law, that I bought it and a 10 gallon leopard gecko setup kit. Agree with you on the addiction though, I've only got the single corn snake at present (plus loads of tarantulas, but that's a different topic completely), but do have a wish list containing a few I'd like to get, along with a couple I must own! (leopard gecko & hognose being those couple!)

This reptile addiction is a true thing xD

Do you have any tips on breeding mealworms and crickets? Ive been trying to breed both, crickets im not sure whats wrong, but mealworms ive got beetles and hopefully ill have a new gen of mealworms soon Subscriber from México! (i suspect the company sells the insects infertile)

Small paint roller is sturdy and works great for a snake hook. $7.

I'm preparing to buy my first reptile, and I'm already affraid one will not be enought Cx

I definitely want more reptiles, but I'm still living at home. Maybe like, further in the future I'll have a reptile room I'm thinking. It's nice to have a future goal.

The last point is so f... true.

Cool! I’m gonna get my first reptile soon. Getting a crested gecko.

Fake aquarium plants are sometimes also cheaper. I also have a pet store that make sells things near me which is amazing!

Still my favorite reptile/ monitor is the Komodo Dragon,and a Reptile thay I would most likely would get before learning about it(which I wouldn't do),but it would be a Tegu or Python .

got my first mantis and... yeah, pretty much the same thing!

Hey kind of off topic but would light fixture would you prefer for a albino leopard gecko with low uvb also I have a low watt heat lamp just to keep the tank kind of warm with a under tank heating pad

I’m building a vivarium for a green iguana. He’s about a year old and I want to give him a nice big space for him to climb. It’s going to be bio active with some tropical plants and other things. I was wondering if you thought it would be okay to put some smaller reptiles in with him, such as small geckos or frogs or something small to make it more interesting and jungle like