looking for a tropical reptile that can be handled frequently any advice is appreciated
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What is your size limit? Are you looking for a snake or lizard? How much space do you have?
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If size isn’t too much of a concern a common boa might be a good reptile. I don’t know if it makes a good first reptile unless you’ve done your research and know what you’re doing (which any pet owner should)
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If you’re looking toward snakes, my “first one” vote goes to corn snakes. They are widely popular for a reason. Their basic requirements are easy to meet, they’re mostly gentle and curious when being handled, they come in a huge range of compress and patterns. There is, of course, variance between individuals but they’re excellent first herps. I kept a number of corns of varying in my classroom, took them to large-scale educational events, and never had a bad experience. I love them!
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Oops. Meant to say, they come in a range of colors and patterns. And btw, I loved corn snakes for years, finally got my first one in February 2008. I still love them!
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Few questions first, what’s your size limit, price limit, and do you want a snake, lizard, turtle or amphibian? Regardless, my answers are crested gecko, gargoyle gecko, common boa, spotted python and indonesian blue tongue skink, but make sure the skink is captive bred first.
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I would say that they are more of an intermediate pet snake, but if you prepare and do proper research, they make the best pet snake in my opinion. They can get big and strong but are very tame and interactive. You have to work with them, you can’t make them do it.
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Another important question to ask is if there are any prey items that you prefer to stay away from. If insects or rodents are off the table, then vegetarians and those that prefer prepared diets will be the best. That would include, as mentioned, crested geckos.
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If your first thread is any indication of how often you want to handle them, you may want to not consider reptiles as the pet for you. Even with the most docile and tolerant species, you should really only handle at max 3 times a week. Then of course there is the settling in period that needs to be done with zero handling/as little disturbance as possible.
First thread for those who want to read it.
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thanks for the advice Ashley, I have considered lots of pets and we are fairly set on a reptile based on our schedule and space. I understand there are many requirements to keep a reptile healthy and happy and I have no intention of keeping a pet that I would not be able to care for. as for handling, you are right, every day handling is very frequent and o know it will take a long time to form a bond that will allow this without making the animal feel threatened or stressed. that being said I am simply asking for recommendations on what kind of reptile would be best. since reading all of the other comments I have decided that a tank would be best and will be using a bioactive 30 gal vivarium tank and many occasionally let the animal in the greenhouse (which is inside my apartment) for supervised enrichment. thanks for all the great advice so far! I would love to hear some pros/ cons about different animals that might work with this 30 gal set up.
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Not sure what that is measurement wise.
But Crested geckos, gargoyles, mossys and leachies are usually kept in 45x45x60cm vivariums (Exo terra see use). Or 60x60x45. Bigger the better. If you wanted a groups of female cresties for instance then a 60x60x45 would be ideal for 3.
I own a lot of Cresties and I do like handling a lot, daily if I can! And even the hatchlings I handle daily 
oh And I own a gargoyle also! 
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