Why Reptiles Make Great Pets

[@lucasjohnsonhall4289]

You want to know why I like reptiles, *pulls out a chicken*, okay well I'm about to learn something...

[@mrtortoise3766]

Birds are reptiles

[@mrtortoise3766]

@Mason well given hat you are here and saying you saw that comment that would imply you most likely watched the full video

[@chen831]

Wow we really eat dinosaurs on a regular basis. What a turn of event.

[@GoddessofSong77]

Clint, I am 41 and was deathly afraid of reptiles , specifically lizards, until this year. But I had always loved chameleons(it was their features even though other lizards frightened me) So in February this year I bought my first Veiled Chameleon. While there I noticed a baby beardie staring at me.... I ask to hold him and he melted my heart.... Now I own a Veiled Chameleon, 2 Bearded Dragons, a Crested Gecko, and a Leopard Gecko.... All of which I couldn't see my life without and each one is super spoiled. I have many chickens (which I spoil as well). My love for animals in general is huge. But my lizards have become a really big part of my family. Your vids make me happy. Because what you teach is so important.

[@ClintsReptiles]

Thank you for sharing your amazing experience with me! These are the best stories to hear.

[@TH3MIN3R3000]

How wholesome! I love it. 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@ginger2153]

I want to see Clint on a infomercial selling chickens. "It's a dinosaur! AND A FAN!" LOL!

[@ClintsReptiles]

It's brilliant!

[@gangreen1872]

*Chicken appears outa nowhere* Clint: I love dinosaurs.

[@brolociraptor9577]

Literally the same reasons as you, I’ve always been “the dinosaur” kid at our school haha

[@amandamccormack7824]

Guy Forrest same :D

[@noahhultgren193]

same, I was that kid who always tells other kids facts about random animals and ancient creatures... even if they definitely weren't interested.

[@dustinbays3875]

That is exactly me

[@mondomusreptilious3378]

Guy Forrest same

[@javierrobledojr6581]

I still am!

[@CuddlyStingray0731]

The moment when Clint seems to have the same love for Animals as Steve Irwin and it makes you feel so happy to just watch.

[@olly8367]

i found your channel completely on accident, but you are easily my favorite reptile channel. you love what you're talking about so much, and you're very knowledgeable about the topic as well. a true youtube hidden jem. you deserve more subs.

[@lilsnailly9957]

Me to

[@greenbrown3997]

Same I just wanted to find info on a crested gecko and now I'm just watching his whole channel

[@aidonpor8211]

I was searching for good pet reptiles and then I found him and now I am watching him every Day

[@richardkelchjr.1954]

Dr. Laidlaw, I am 47 years old, and was, for my entire life, thanks to Indiana Jones, completely PETRIFIED of snakes. My daughter wanted a turtle, and we relented and went to the pet store to get one. Once I learned about the usual "turtle stink," we went another direction. She had always wanted a ball python, I said "Not a snowball's chance in heck." However, the stinkiness of turtle enclosures caused me to rethink. The clerk at the reptile shop put a baby BP in my hands, and, well, that was it. I now have a BP named DrJones, a crested Gecko named Marion, and the newest addition, a one year old BCI named Sallah. Thanks for the great work and keep it up! Thanks for dispelling ignorance with knowledge, fear with wonder, and reluctance with anticipation. Without you, Emily and Ed from SD, and my daughter, I would have never had this wonderful addition to my life!

[@philropp9434]

Awesome video. It sounds much more bad@$/ for me to chase my neighbors free range dinosaurs out of my wife’s garden than chickens.

[@mtchob]

I am a bird person myself and I was definitely always into dinosaurs as a kid.... I certainly consider them to still be dinosaurs, and definitely similar to reptiles... I often call my parrot "Turtleface" because she just looks so much like turtle head on with her yellow eyes, her beak, and the slight mask around her eyes. The skin of birds under their feathers too is so unlike a mammals skin, its like instead of scales and shedding, instead, they produce pins that come out of that skin and shed off into feathers. Very interesting stuff. At first I thought it was a weird coincidence that so many people into reptiles also keep birds or were into birds at some point, until I realized, they really are stunningly similar.

[@Gildedmuse]

Reading these replies I see so many people who keep lizards were initially into dinosaurs. Now that dinosaurs depictions are being updated it makes me wonder if we won't have a bunch of future bird owners like you.

[@robmckee5295]

My first reptiles were wild caught lizards from around my house when I was a small boy. I got into reptiles and amphibians because I was allergic to pet dander from the more "traditional" animals. We had dogs and cats and birds, but they stayed outside. My best friend in school was a member of the local herpatological society, so we went to the various meetings and presentations together, thus reinforcing my attraction to these cool creatures. Thanks for the video.

[@azush1055]

Same my parents are like do something better I just sit there and research animals of all sorts. When I was like 6 I wanted to be a palaeontologist. And know I really want another animals because I have a dog but I want a ferret or any reptile. I wish soooooo bad I could get a reptile. I went to Florida a few years ago and I went to a reptile zoo and the guy saw I was so interested and he let me hold a 6 foot boa ever since I've fallen in love with love all snakes especially sandboas, hogsnoses and lizards like bearded dragons and leopard geckos. Love you and hope your channel grows a lot this year!! From a kid in Canada

[@forrestgump8717]

Oh my gosh I wanted to be a paleontologist too!!!

[@BigShrimpin_]

He has a video on how to convince people to get a reptile. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJmciXagdtyohqc

[@azush1055]

MyApologies thanks

[@BigShrimpin_]

Doge Nation Np

[@raelonewolf]

Ferrets are great, but I would definitely recommend a reptile over a ferret. Ferrets actually need a lot of interaction with you outside their cage every day (think a minimum of 3 hours per day), can be quite smelly, are very mischievous (hiding keys or other belongings), and can get themselves stuck in small places if the room isn't ferret-proofed. There are actually a lot of ferrets in animals shelters all over the place due to how many people buy them because they're cute and then realize that they bit off more than they could chew, so if you do opt for a ferret, shelters are a great place to check out first! A reptile would definitely be an easier pet, especially considering you already have a dog who requires a lot of your care and attention already. But good luck and congrats with whatever pet you choose!

[@ploopycat777]

You should do a room your of all your reptiles Like if you agree

[@somethingaboutdragon]

Yesssss that would be so cool to see them all

[@emilybennett2661]

Please do this!!

[@Salmon_Lamb0]

ploopy cat I would love to see a room your. That would be so cool.

[@alimery07]

He already did do this in 2017

[@ibic2441]

Clint: your wish is my command

[@julieaime4594]

We got a leopard gecko for my son and I am hooked! I always thought I was a cat person until I met Sushi. Now I know I’m a reptile person. 💚

[@Saphire023]

My first pet was a green anole when I was in preschool. I’ve been in love with reptiles since

[@zefirnaya6238]

When I was a child I was obsessed with dragons and dinosaurs. I collected stickers and toys of them, read tons of books about them.. And I loved our modern reptiles just as much. We would go out in the woods with the family a lot back then and while everyone around me looked for mushrooms I could not get my eyes off of the local snakes and lizards. I’d been begging my mom to get me one of those for as long as I can remember myself. I just got my first ever reptile pets yesterday! A woman was about to move to a different city and couldn’t take her 1 yo bearded dragon girl with her, so she was going to give her to a petshop.. I could not let that happen! She agreed to give the beardie with a properly set up enclosure, feeder insects and vitamins to me for $100. When I arrived at her place it turned out she had not 1 but 2 dragons in that terrarium.. She made it sound like it’s no big deal and “she’s got a petshop in mind to give the second one to”. This second lizard was a small male. I was told that the two of them were the exact same age, but the girl I was initially going to get was a perfectly healthy big adult animal, while the guy was as small as a baby dragon, with a broken tail, weird bumpy spine and weak appetite. Also, the girl turned out to be the sweetest little lizard out there, while the other one seemed very defensive. I later found out that they have never been fed veggies in their lives.. Their previous owner now blocked me. This situation makes me so sad and angry, honestly.. So many lies. But the beardies are now in good hands! I’m getting a second enclosure for the little man tomorrow and taking him to a vet the day after that.

[@alyssastickels1324]

You’re awesome for taking them both in and giving them a better life. They will definitely be better off with you instead of their previous owner. Although I guess at this point they already would be doing fantastic

[@olliedixon842]

Why I love reptiles: because they're amazing!

[@niktalohman2950]

apparantly my first reptile is a chicken but if your talking about snakes mine is a baby corn snake he was abused in a pet store because he was agressive they chased him with a big metal feeder pincet and squeezed him really hard i took him because after that persoon was gone i saw him go and drink from his water bowl i thought he looked so stressed and sad i took him with me since the second time i held him he has been a sweetheart and i am so happy i took him home ps love your enthusiasm and the big smile you have when holding any reptile

[@littleghostfacer7814]

Its a dinosaur ... and a fan XD i laughed so hard! XD Wonderful video

[@jellybeanjames4106]

i guess you could say hes a fan of that chicken

[@asherwilkins465]

Didn't know I needed this video, but like right before this autoplayed I was thinking dude this guy loves animals more than I love like anything

[@ShepStevVidEOs]

I’ve loved reptiles my whole life. I’ve never actually owned one myself. When I was six my family drove out to Mohave National Park to see the spring flower bloom and I had a close encounter with a rattlesnake. Luckily not too close, thanks to my uncle who warned me about it. Now, I don’t want to get a Mohave rattlesnake, but maybe something a bit less deadly.

[@kaijemarti5372]

Life hack: If you feel down , look at a leopard gecko... They have cutest little smile of all time.

[@TH3MIN3R3000]

Also hognose snakes. This works like a charm.

[@Malzy-zy4bj]

I have loved dinosaurs and even reptiles since I was young. My dad had a friend who kept snakes and bearded dragons so I would always love going over, it made me want my own. I eventually got my own bearded dragon and my family now loves him so much that they got another one, working towards a snake now

[@oogway9895]

i love how amazingly enthousiastic you get about a chicken :) you are amazing clint i love you and you channel

[@Gamyeon]

I'll admit that when I see you had a degree in zoology, I got very excited. I've lived animals for the longest time and Street thinking of becoming a paleontologist, I thought about being a zoologist. But that thought got lost somewhere in highschool and I'm now a bit far from that job (translation and graphic design). And I honestly have not heard of someone actually graduating in that field. Reptiles have always been fascinating animals to me. Maybe because of their resemblance to the dinosaurs at the time, but I've always thoughts scales too be very pretty. I even did an expo on snakes in 4th grade because they're were so great (gosh this was so long ago)! I don't know if I'll ever get a pet reptile. While I think they are beautiful and would make great pets, I'm not sure my lifestyle fits and I'd probably need to convince my significant other beforehand (not impossible, but he'd probably go for a cat instead if I'm going to be honest). I'll need to think it through very carefully before making the move. But for now I'll settle for all those informational bits your channel provides. Thanks to you and Snake Discovery, I think I've rediscovered my love for reptiles, animals and the joy in learning new things and gaining knowledge. So thank you. I'm grateful for that.

[@kaytaymay1212]

I always caught lizards with my friends when I was little, but for some reason it wasn't until the middle of high school that it clicked for and I realized lizards are the coolest animals and that I really really really wanted to keep them as pets. It has been a least 5 years since that point, and I still haven't gotten a reptile yet (though my family does keep chickens, I'm kinda uninterested in them and don't count them as mine). I'm waiting until I'm financially secure and am sure I'll be able to take care of it on my own. Idk what I'll get yet, though definitely one of your recommended beginner lizards!

[@dkatz709]

Great video, man! So at my wife’s insistence, I had to get the family a dog before she’d let me get my Burm....long story short: you’re right, don’t get a dog!!! 😂.

[@bendietrees]

HAH! My boyfriend is a massive reptile, fish and spider lover but he also loves dogs....I told him I'd rather have a house full of tarantulas than a dog 😂

[@cobrakill4636]

In about 2 or 3 weeks i'm getting my first crested gecko. My choice was made so easy because of your videos. Thanks :D

[@C00T47]

Cobrakill46 my friend has one and there tails tend to fall off a little bit more than he said.

[@victoriabridges6212]

I got my reptile (a blue tongue skink) as an emotional support animal, and she's been the best thing ever for me! The low-maintenance aspect is a huge plus for me, and I love how chill she is, it definitely helps my anxiety to watch her move or to chill with her our of the enclosure. 10/10 I am now a lizard lady

[@amberraedawntollenaar3513]

The reason I got my first reptile, and the reason I now have 8, is very similar to yours. I've ALWAYS been inexplicably drawn to animals, especially reptiles, and then I discovered Steve Irwin. He forever changed me, he still means so much to me.

[@scottvonnahme9701]

The misunderstood part really hits home for me. I love debating with people and challenging their opinions on reptiles. My girlfriend wasn't a huge fan of them when I met her, and from there it became acceptance, and nowadays she has her own list of future reptiles she would enjoy keeping. I've seen people turn quickly from abject fear to overwhelming curiosity and interest. I love that feelling

[@janedeaux7385]

I love reptiles for pretty much the same reasons. They're so unique to interact with, but they also don't mind at all if you don't have a ton of time each day to dedicate to them. Most of them have pretty long lifespans (especially compared to a hamster or some kind of small mammal like that) so you get to keep them for a long time. They look incredible. They're just really amazing animals.

[@ellafrom2017]

I decided on a snake because I couldn't get any "normal" pets and after some research, I fell in love. Now I have a male ball python named Noodle, I went to my first expo yesterday, and I'm dreaming of more snakes I can get in the future.

[@soulsonwheels9016]

I became obsessed with reptiles because as a little kid my mom gave me dinosaur oatmeal as a kid cause I hated oatmeal and it lead to me looking into dinosaurs which then lead to me finding modern day reptiles. Then I fell in love with their stoic natures that I felt somewhat akin too. Thank you dinosaur oatmeal.

[@C00T47]

Souls On Wheels I love dinosaur oatmeal

[@jonathanklinker5192]

I remember the dinosaur egg oatmeal

[@TH3MIN3R3000]

Weirdly awesome. 👍

[@shadowd151]

I got my corn snake for my 16th birthday after doing a lot of research on ball pythons. My mom found him on Craigslist (I know, weird and untrustworthy) and gently egged me into doing research on corn snakes instead. I'm 23 now, and he's set up happily in a big tub with lots of fake plants and hides to explore. I've loved reptiles since I was little. There was a book I found at the library once that told me that snakes lay soft, leathery eggs, and that was cool enough to inspire a lifelong love and respect for reptiles as a whole. I'm so glad people like you are out here spreading awareness of how cool these wonderful creatures are!

[@allyburr912]

I just got my first reptile (my beardie Klaus!) a week ago! I’m totally obsessed!! Your videos have been amazing (and dangerous to watch!!), because ALL I want to do is keep getting more reptiles! Klaus has been amazing, fun to watch and interact with, so sweet, and so dramatic! He is a perfect addition to my family, that up until a couple of months ago, I didn’t know I needed! I think the next reptile I want is is a toss up between a snake, (a boa of some sort.. go big or go home right!). Blue tongue skink (been looking for breeders already) or a leopard gecko! Thank you for your videos!

[@czarinap]

My first reptile was an anole who secretly hitch-hiked on our motor home from FL to IL. She lived in an aquarium with a mesh top and we weren't allowed to take her out for fear of her escaping (which she eventually did when my dad cleaned her tank years later), so my experience was that reptiles are simply for display. After moving to CA 2 years ago my husband and I were lucky enough to have a baby fence lizard peek into our window one morning and join our family. I was immediately surprised at how huge her personality is and how sweet and intelligent she is. A month later her now sister broke into our apartment and joined our family, and an alligator lizard joined us in the fall. I love them all; they are each very unique, sweet, and fun to be around. After all the research I did to learn proper care of these two species my interest in reptiles grew along with a list of herps I want to add to our family someday. I never thought I'd want a snake as a pet, but now they are also on my dream list. I can't wait to get to know them.

[@marieeiskindadead5865]

My first reptile was a leopard gecko named sunny, i was about 7 years old. I always loved reptiles, when i was little Jurassic park was my favorite movie and at the zoo the Herpetology center was the most important part of the visit. My family has grown up dealing with my growing zoo and I've learned a lot am deffinetly a better and less impulse reptile keeper than when i first started. I love them and always will.💕

[@larissashen4874]

My first reptile was a bearded dragon named Smaug. He is fierce and lovable and golden.

[@creativeneko2405]

I think snakes are wonderful. They are cute, interesting, and lower maintenance than mammals (I still love my guinea pigs but they need a lot of attention). My biggest reason may that holding a snake and feeling it move is so relaxing. Watching then makes me feel relaxed. I have anxiety and wear a textured silver bracelet to feel when I am anxious. I'm just generally very tactel. I just get concerned that I would want to spend too much time with a snake, if I decided to house a snake. I love ball pythons but I hear they get stressed if they are handled a lot.

[@veledwin1]

One reason I love keeping reptiles and amphibians is because I love setting up pretty vivariums. I love having little slices of nature in my house, and watching the animals inside them. And while I could set up nice-looking habitats for birds and small mammals, they are messy and inevitably mess up their enclosures. It's also just not the same as setting up a nice ecosystem. I love my bioactive tanks that I keep my frogs in, it's like having an indoor garden, but better! I also love being able to leave for a few days and not having to worry about my animals. I just drop my parrot off at a friend's house and my snakes and frogs are fine til I get back :D Keeping reptiles and amphibians also helped me overcome my fear of bugs. I'm still scared of roaches, but everything else I am now able to appreciate or tolerate.

[@lifeofripley1088]

You are SO correct when you say one dog is more to deal with than a room of reptiles. I always thought keeping a snake would be a big deal until I got one. We also have a gecko that is as sweet as can be, and I made the decision to get the little guy after watching your video about crested geckos. They are the most wonderful pets, and once you figure out what each reptile needs for care its much easier than any other critters I've had, and we have horses, cows, goats, chickens, a cockatiel and about a million cats. Reptiles seem like a vacation compared. Great video!

[@zenhypnotic]

Hi Clint. I first got a Horsefield tortoise, and loved it so much I added to the collection, now have 2, and want more. Then I rescued a leopard 🦎 and gave it the best of everything, but she did pass from her previous mistreatment. After that I got an adolescent crested gecko, and then a baby. They are all bio active and have the very best of everything, all insured as well as exotic vets are cripplingly expensive in the UK. I found your videos right about the time you first uploaded and have watched nearly them all. They gave me the confidence to get a snake. He’s only a baby at the moment, a corn snake, but I’m looking at the egg eating snakes too... I would never have made the jump to snakes without your videos and infectious enthusiasm. Thank you for your videos.

[@halerambe5634]

blue tounge skinks are what caused me to fall in love, I used to pride myself on being a die hard dog lover but no longer can I remotely say that, the skink has changed my life

[@michaelshort2388]

I just got my first reptile the other day, it's a Bredli Carpet Python. I got it because I found channels like yours and fell in love with them :)

[@TopFurret]

I love reptiles because of many reasons. One of which being they are extremely amazing pets for autistic people such as myself. Talking about snakes or rather, ball pythons in particular. They're low maintenance, happy to be left alone when you've had a rough day and need to be alone yourself, slow and methodical, calm, not noisy, clean, pleasing to hold for sensory reasons, so patient, and just overall incredible creatures. I often look at my ball python and think how incredible it is I can have this amazing wild animal in my home and how much joy it brings to my life.

[@shotgunshane1573]

I too, was a dinosaur kid growing up. Then, along came Steve Irwin, and that sealed the deal for me. I've been a reptile owner since the age of 10, and have even convinced my wife to let me expand lol. Absolutely love the channel and your enthusiasm. Thank you for doing what you do.

[@Nunnyan]

I love reptiles because they are unique pets and I’m a sucker for adorable creatures. My first reptile was a Bearded dragon named Tanny, and she was the best. I’m considering rescuing a Sulcata tortoise in the future, for I will make sure it has everything it needs and is happy. Thanks for the video, Clint!

[@ITSMERlVER]

I loved what you had to say about people who fear spiders or snakes. I completely agree!! My partner was terrified of and disliked most animals (we only had a fish tank), so I took him to the Pet Expo to show him reptiles, birds, cats, dogs, small animals, farm animals, etc. We went home with a lizard (something that was VERY hard for me to get him to agree with but I pushed it hard) and it opened doors for us to get other pets as well! He now holds our newest addition (hamster) without me trying to make him, and he pets our lizard. I think facing his fears has definitely made him a better animal person!

[@p4thf1nd3r]

what really got me into reptiles was my friend in kindergarten who had a baby corn snake, and one time for show and tell, she brought in her snake's shed skin. little 5 year old me was amazed and astonished. then the following year, a friend of mine got hermit crabs for his birthday, and ive been jealous ever since (basically, ive wanted them for a solid 15 years but havent had any). my first reptile i got about a month ago. a female jacksons chameleon named karma. i know chams really arent a beginner kind of reptile, but i had wanted one since i was like. 14 and we had one at work (i work at petco), so i went for it. this past month with her has been simply. amazing. shes really neat to watch and she has a bit of an attitude. and when people ask what pets i have, theyre amazed that i have a chameleon and immediately ask for pictures of her. and ive learned so much in the past month, and im only gonna go up from there. i got her because ive had fish for years, and i wanted to give myself a new challenge, and something i could handle, even if it takes a little work. and im looking into getting a bearded dragon soon! its just opened up a whole new world for me, and that world's only getting bigger.

[@Paula-sw2tt]

I have been keeping reptiles for over fifty years. We had property in east county San Diego, CA complete with snakes, lizards, tarantulas, etc. I fell in love with them and that has never changed. Of all the different species of snakes that I have kept, my current snake a normal BCI is hands down my favorite snake ever. And the only lizards that I am currently keeping are my four crested geckos and four gargoyle geckos. Hopefully I can expand my collection in the future.

[@samanthaanderson5678]

I love The Princess Bride! That was such a good book and movie. Your Buttercup and Wesley have great names.

[@ntx4127]

The reason I love reptiles is that they are just amazing and cute animals. And to be specific: when I was think like 4/5 years old, I was at the zoo. So I saw a animal laying relaxed against the window. And I loved that animal I don’t know why but I just loved it. I rememberd that I was on a picture with the animal and that it had a blue tongue. Turns out when I did some research for a pet reptile later (becouse I had a promise that I gettet a turtle but now I wanted something Els). I saw the animal of one of your videos when I was doin research. It was called a Blue tongue skink. I asked if I may get one in replacement of a turtle😁. And she is thinking about it. And I have honestly a high hope. So thank you Clint of reminding me of that reptile. The blue tongue is now my favorite reptile. Thx to you. ( srry 😅for the long comment, and am seeing this in 2020)🙃

[@lukesimms2392]

My 2 year old, (got as hatchling) black reticulated ball python, Jäger. THE ADORABLE LIL BABY

[@benis9965]

reticulated ball python??????????????????????????

[@dawolfe4558]

I have always loved reptiles, primarily snakes. I loved them so much that one Christmas when I was very young, I pulled a toy snake from my stocking and was so excited by it that it became our Christmas tradition. Late September of 2018 I got my first snake, everyone told be to get a ball python or corn snake, but I didn't feel the allure of those snakes, not that they aren't amazing, they just were not the snake for me and they just got too big for life in my little rv. Then I found the western hognose and fell completely in love with this species. And now I have my bitey little boy, Bacon the western hognose snake. I was actually going to wait for babies from Emily of SnakeDiscoveries to have a clutch, but I happened across this adorable purpleline anaconda morph western hognose boy and just couldn't say no. With the help of your channel and Emily's, along with several years of study on this breed, he is a thriving little noodle who lives up to his namesake. Just came home to a perfect shed today as well!

[@Karrdeh]

How's bacon doing?

[@craterlake7368]

also i am a paleontologist and i got my beautiful beardie for chistmas a few years ago. i loooove him. he's so sweet and gentle and loving. and lazy!

[@perigrine]

The fact that you like Princess Bride just makes me love this channel that much more.

[@greenbrown3997]

I got a crested gecko because of how interesting and fun they looked and it was the best decision ever they are so easy to keep and play with

[@kayno9167]

I love reptiles too! They’re so amazing! Can you please do a video on iguanas and iguana handling?! I recently got iguanas and I’m honestly feeling unconfident right now. Hope to hear from you soon.

[@craterlake7368]

this was so good, i love how it was like "suddenly chicken!' was not expecting that lol

[@natalieboyer3936]

I am JUST like you Clint. I love ALL animals, and have always loved all animals, ever since I can remember. Growing up in the country we had outdoor cats to keep the mice away. We had a dog. We had neighbors that kept horses. And of course, being surrounded by nature in the country, there was plenty of wildlife including reptiles and amphibians. The first reptile encounter that I can remember, I was maybe 6 or 7 and was wandering through the weeds in the pasture behind our yard and saw a net onion bag move on the ground. Somehow a net onion bag floated its way into our pasture and a garter snake got tangled in the netting. I didn't want to hurt it, so I ran to get my dad. I took him to where it was and he was able to gently cut away the netting. Though the snake must have been terribly stressed at that point I remember it being very calm. Maybe exhausted from struggling in the netting. So for a few minutes my dad let me told it and admire its stripes and its tongue flicking. Ever since then I spent the warm seasons of Michigan finding, catching, and then releasing every frog, snake, turtle, bug.... the occasional baby bird or baby bunny, and one time rescuing a litter of baby skunks from being eaten by our dog. I also grew up watching nature shows and documentaries on tv. The Discovery Channel, National Geographic, and Animal Planet were some of our household's most watched channels. After I moved out of my parents house and into my first apartment when I was 20, I very quickly grew very restless. I had kept hamsters growing up and later switched to pet rats, and after my last rat (My most beloved rat) passed away when I was still at my parents house, I decided I didn't want rats anymore. And the family dog of course was going to stay at my parents house, as well as my cat who lived mostly outdoors and wouldn't do well in a 1 bedroom apartment. Finally I decided I needed a new pet in my life. So being very naive about pet stores at the time, I went to PetSmart. I pondered over a fish, maybe a betta. And of course next to the fish section is the reptile section. Still mourning my rat Mitsy, I didn't want a snake. But perhaps a lizard. So after interacting with the lizards PetSmart had to offer, I went home to do more homework on which would be best for me. Anoles were immediately out of the question. They were too flighty to be able to hold outside of their enclosure. I pondered over cresties, but thought how would I get it down if it jumped out of my hand onto the wall and climbed onto the ceiling? So it was a toss between a leopard gecko and a bearded dragon. And a month later I decided on a leopard gecko, and went back to PetSmart. Got all the supplies and hoped the geckp I had been admiring was still there. He was, and so I brought home Cruz. However, he very quickly became sick. I hunted online and the signs pointed to parasites. I rushed him to the nearest vet that dealt with exotics and not only did he have parasites, but also MBD. As hard as I tried to save him with the medications and supplements the vet gave me, he soon perished. It was during that struggle I learned how horrible chain pet stores were. My next gecko, a blizzard I named Nessie was being sold for cheap online from a local breeder because her tail had dropped at a young age. It grew back beautifully though and adds to her character. And just like potato chips, I decided I wasn't satisfied with just 1. Misty and Lily soon became additions and after quarantine and supervised "play dates" in a neutral tub, were housed together. When I got Misty, Nessie easily took to having a tank mate and they were content living together. But for some reason a year later, 3 was a crowd for my blizzard Nessie when I brought home lily. She turned on both geckos. Even after I took Lily back out Nessie didn't have the same relationship with Misty. Misty however didn't mind Lily. So Nessie got separated and Lily and Misty got put together. They're still tank mates 2 years later and no incidents. And Nessie is content ruling her own kingdom in her own tank. And now, after following you, Snake Discovery, and Alex Greens videos on Go Herping, I am 5 days away from the Kalamazoo expo. Where I will be getting my first pet snake. STILL torn between a MBK or a ball python. But I bought a new tank today and set the heat pad up. So depending on which snake I get, I will be going home with the correct substrate for it and can finish setting the tank up. I am SO excited!!

[@kitsune0rei]

I love your videos! They're so enthused and informative! I think I always loved reptiles- when I was wee I used to feed the chameleons on the porch little ants and bugs I caught (the wee brown FL ones). I could get close to them and catch them. But my family were not reptile pet people, we always had cats. I had a cat a long time who was like a best friend to me, and I had a hole in my life after she passed away. Only recently have I been introduced to reptiles as pets- I'd just never really thought about it before. I had some fish- a few bettas over time, and I love mystery snails- but keeping a reptile in a tank seemed beyond me, like this pro level thing. So, I had a friend at work whose son had a few reptile pets, like lizards and snakes, but he had a savannah monitor that was getting to be too much and she wanted someone else to take him. My husband had had a savannah monitor a long time ago, so he was at least familiar with them, but he had no plans on getting another. He is allergic to pretty much all mammals, so we didn't have a pet currently. But I wanted something, so I took up the opportunity. Clawdius was a little over a year old when I got him, he's now about a year and a half. They assured me he was good in the large tank for a while (haha nope) and over he came. I did a LOT of reading, but it still didn't quite prepare me. Over a couple months I worked to improve his conditions- he got higher basking temperatures, improved and deeper substrate, higher humidity in his tank, and I added some hiding areas. He originally came to me on a thin layer of reptibark with a bathing tub and a branch, and a weak basking light. Fortunately he's always been pretty mellow, I've only been bit once by accident and he isn't aggressive. I often have him out, and take him in the backyard for walks on a leash or let him wander my room. I learned so much! I'd never had to feed insects and raw fish before (with supplements)! I didn't even have tongs at first! I had to figure out how much and how often to feed him to maintain a good weight. I know this was kinda bad based on your video since they're totally not a beginner lizard (it made me laugh a lot) but I don't regret it. He's a wonderful grumpy velociraptor and I love him. I have a friend who is really into reptiles, she has a bunch of snakes, small lizards, and insects. I recently got to hold her ball python and fell in love, so I'm researching getting one of them. I want to be better prepared this time! But it'd be so nice to have one to chill out with, since that isn't really Clawdius's nature. Anyhow I just want to say I feel like it really helps me with my depression, having something else living around :)

[@turosexotic3639]

My first reptile was a cornsnake and after that for the next 1-2 years reptiles were a huge part of my life but after that i had decided to give them to friends of mine or sell some of them because i saw that all my pets one day were going to get in the way when i went off to college, and i saw this as a freshman in high school but now this being my second year out of high school i csn see that i can actually manage having reptiles along with work and school. So back in September i started getting some reptiles and that was 2 crested geckos Shortly after one of my friends gave me another then i bought a kenyan sand boa and after that i bought my first tarantula carabina versicolor and thats all i have at the moment and im so much happier with animals in my life because i too from when i was a child i loved animals and than later realized how easy of pets they are and i always wanted something hands on

[@rowancampero2492]

My first reptile was a ball python named Summer. I've almost had her for 9 years now, and she is the most wonderful pet I could've ever asked for. She is the only reptile I have currently, but eventually I would like to get either a western hognose, mexican black kingsnake, or another ball python.

[@rcmunch18na48]

I’ve loved reptiles more than any other animal in the animal kingdom, I’ve had a leaperd gecko since first grade and still have her as a senior in high school. I’ve always loved them and feel a connection with them. I plan on saving up money for a python whenever I get out of the house

[@sosaw7020]

They are living pieces of art .....

[@NoMastersNoMistress]

The first snake I ever held was a huge Indigo that just slithered right into my yard... it was slightly nervous so it released a little musk and that's it... but it was stunning! I wanted to keep it, it was actually very laid back, but my mother flipped out.

[@zacg_]

I grew up watching Wild Discovery on the Discovery Channel and later the Crocodile Hunter (obviously) and those had an impact. But I've loved reptiles since before I can remember. They're just so cool.

[@limetimebaby7179]

I love reptiles because of my first reptile.When I was 10 my mum trusted me enough to get a reptile, like my brother did at that age. I decided to get a corn snake and fell in love. Sadly he died of old age. That corn snake left SUCH a good impression of reptiles on me that I just loved all reptiles now. ALL of them.

[@thrawalker1097]

I often call my parakeets "my fluffy little dinosaurs" while I pet them.

[@beardlessdragon]

My reasons for loving reptiles as pets are pretty similar to yours! I've always been completely in love with lizards (and all reptiles, but lizards are my fave.) People ask for my "origin story" on what sparked my interest in lizards and there isn't one. They have just always appealed to me so much. And owning them invites so much opportunity for education when people want to know more about them and they get surprised by answers, like learning even my big tegu that looks like a dinosaur is a gentle, sociable animal or that my crested gecko feels soft instead of slimy or "gross." It's heartwarming to see people's minds start to open up just by telling them a little bit about my reptilian kids :) On top of others' reactions to them, I also just adore their behavior. They are so much fun to watch and interact with, and it's SO rewarding to build trust with an animal. My crestie was super skittish and jumpy around me for basically a whole year of keeping her, but now? Calmest animal I've ever met. She lets me just reach in and pick her up, or has even actively come over and climbed on me a couple times. It's so sweet

[@dolphins1312able]

Thank you for your videos and your enthusiasm towards reptiles! Because of your videos it has made this quarantine a much better experience for me. I wanted a pet and my parents wouldn’t let me get another dog because I’m in college and I wouldn’t be able to take care of it at home. After stumbling across your videos on KZbin I found this new passion and curiosity for reptiles! I always loved animals when I was a kid but I forgot how much, and these videos rejuvenated that for me! I think of them as mini dinosaurs as well haha! I used these videos to persuade my parents into letting me own a reptile haha. I just purchased a baby crested gecko about two weeks ago and so far it’s been awesome ! i plan on getting a ball python as soon as quarantine is over! Thank you so much Clint keep doing this and bring a positive light to a misunderstood species!

[@390CBH]

I'm a few months away from finishing my post-bac and will be starting a master's program in another year. When I have time to get away I like to go to the mountains for the weekend. I love the fact that my leopard gecko and fish are completely fine without me and outside of daily water changes for the gecko, they do not need daily attention. I would love to have a dog, because I grew up with them, but right now I am researching Russian Tortoise breeders because reptiles, and fish, are about all I will have time for until I finish my master's.

[@thesoupofthebrain2446]

first nice princess bride reference!

[@Relansa1]

My first reptile was a baby California Kingsnake... I got her for Christmas 2015... She's now 3 years old and a full grown adult weighing nearly 500 grams... Since we've added a Cornsnake and Western Hognose...

[@JessieJoystick]

I want a corn snake, but my partner doesn't want anything without legs, she wants a tegu, I told her we simply can't fit one in our tiny apartment. We sortof settled on a crested gecko...

[@brennencanfield4856]

The reason I love reptiles is because they are just so cool looking/beautiful/cute! I also love the fact that there are so many different species and all the morphs are amazing! I have just always loved them. My first and only pet reptile is a corn snake, now the only reason I don't have more is because i'm not allowed but soon I might be able to get a lizard. I am wanting a crested gecko because I love the look of them and they are very easy.

[@ellagov322]

I always wanted a snake since I remember myself...nobody in my family knows why (even myself) after 17 years I live it seems imposible to keep a snake untill one day I asked myself why not uctually? And so came my first snake...she is a corn snake and her name is Pi (3.14...) and since then I am a much happier person! 🐍❤

[@TheLiam14141]

I've never owned a reptile, but I used to catch reptiles and amphibians a lot as a kid. Spiders too. There used to be a spider in a bush out front of my house and every morning before school, I'd grab a bug an drop it in the web.

[@aaronturner1581]

Omg. You're adorable :) Love the vids!

[@cozymonk]

"Plus, it excretes food!" Best Clint quote.

[@LWeOAreVOneE]

As a kid, I lived out in the country and played with snakes and lizards all the time. I've just always thought they were awesome, but I've never had a pet reptile. I don't go outside as much as I did as a kid, and now I live in town so I almost never see snakes or lizards in the wild. I've really missed handling them, so I have decided it's time to get one as a pet. I've wanted a bearded dragon since I was a kid, and I was going to start with that, but their care and diet are more complicated (not to mention more expensive) than most other beginner reptiles. I then discovered hognoses (thanks in large part to your 5 best small pets video and Snake Discovery and Wickens Wicked Reptiles), and I am in love. I found a local breeder that just hatched some babies, and as soon as they're eating unscented f/t consistently, I'm getting one! I've already started buying some of the supplies so that as soon as I get moved into my new house this week, I can get the enclosure set up to make sure temperatures and humidity are good and I'm ready when they are!

[@tryphazzard2771]

Walked into the pet store for betas, after a bit we walked out and started researching bearded dragons! The more we talked to the staff about what we wanted (lo-mid maintaince and good for teaching a 4yr old) we found more and more reasons to look at reptiles!!

[@cinnasticks288]

I'm actually an ungulate kind of gal, but got into reptiles while working at a zoo. I realized they're a lot easier (and cheaper) to keep than horses! Now I have a small reptile room in the making. I loved dinosaurs, too, growing up, so it was love at first contact.

[@ragytag]

Love the princess bride references. “Inconceivable!”

[@paulinerayburn4404]

Our yellow belly ball made our 6yr old girls go from terrified to in love with snakes and scaly pets. So much so that one of them wants to work with snakes when she grows up!... My very first reptiles were painted turtles we caught as children. Later on around 4th grade, my parents traded our Siamese kitten for an adult female bearded dragon. They refused to let me have a snake in the house. I was thrilled to own a beardie all the same.

[@jakobdavid2102]

I also like very many animals, but i think reptiles just look so cool and they are very interessting, because they are so different from other animals. That they are so easy to keep is just another good aspect to love them, but even if it wasn't case i would still like them the most. And i think birds are the second coolest animals, especialy falcons and parrots. Nice video

[@greeenjeeens]

I was into animals as a kid, particularly dinosaurs, and got a leopard gecko, who is still with me (26 years). I've never kept a snake, i'm kept busy with snake removals (south Africa), but this year i think i will get one (corn snake) as they make such good company.

[@canadianwhiskey938]

I think that a great deal of the attraction that I had towards reptiles was the massive differences between mammals (us) and them. Of course, I was a huge dinosaur fan, in fact, as a child I could name every dinosaur and their corresponding eras of existence. My first reptile was a Leo and I just simply fell in love with reptiles and their way of living. I was always fascinated by their motivations, their actions, their desires, and always wanted to learn more about what made them tick.

[@51591Frog]

I fell in love with reptiles working in a pet store.

[@barnabasjuhasz]

Your channel is one of the most educational on all of KZbin!

[@giganfan1everyoneelse451]

My first reptile was Pebbles, the leopard gecko, I just loved reptiles since day 1.

[@Lonewolf-xt4ml]

me too Clint I grew up on a farm all my life and haul cattle as a living right now but I got into reptiles when I bought my first chameleon and now I own a wide variety of reptiles and cant get enough of em

[@vas_526]

Very cool to know your reasons for loving reptiles. It actually makes complete sense because as awesome & cool as reptiles are they’re also very reasonably easy to keep as well with the proper equipment. I cracked up when the “living dinosaur” turned its head to look at you when you called it ‘comparatively lame’ haha 😂

[@maddyecheverria325]

I admire you so much when you talk about animals and how much you Care for them you do it with so much love thank you

[@Fawriel]

I was a dinosaur kid, too. I strongly identified with turtles. And I'm a big fan of the goofy cuteness a lot of lizards exhibit. But I only started really thinking about keeping a reptile pet when I was in therapy for mental issues, and I really wanted to have constant company, but without the expectations that come from a more social animal. Even something as independent as a cat will still be scratching at your door and asking for your attention a lot when you can't afford to give it. As mean as it sounds, a lizard seemed kind of like a houseplant you can play with! Unfortunately, I'm still too poor for any kind of pet, but I still like to think about it sometimes. I'm particularly smitten with the uromastyx because of a video called "Mali uromastyx wanting a belly rub!" where the little guy clearly enjoys having its belly tickled. On that note, I would really love a video about playing with reptiles. You briefly talked about that in another video, and I understand that a lizard is not a social animal, so it doesn't form attachments the same way us mammals understand them. But the uromastyx in that video clearly seems to be having fun at least! So I'm wondering about, like, the gradient between a lizard just tolerating a human and actually enjoying the interaction.

[@hahano2675]

Does anyone else have that baby voice they use specially for their reptiles 😂... (I do to my leo and beardie) they are like my children hahaha

[@elisabethlewis8626]

I don't think there is really anything in particular that got me into reptiles, I've pretty much always been fascinated by them. The reason I keep them now is simply because I think they're fun and cool to watch and/or handle.

[@ceopet]

Out of curiosity I went to a reptile show here that one of the colleges hosts, not the kind of show that you buy reptiles at, but an educational show held by the herp society, and I was just amazed how cool thy were. I held my first snake, which was pretty rosy boa. I saw all kinds of stuff. Later I found out a friend of mine was getting into breeding leopard geckos, and she offered me one knowing that I love animals and that i would do my research, and I picked a baby out, and well as they say the rest is hisotry. I also have a crested gecko as well, and am trying to convince the hubby to let me get a hognose :)

[@jakkaljakobie8774]

My very first reptile was a green anole who accidentally made his way into my bedroom when I was 8. We lived in Florida and you can't walk 10 feet without running into an anole, so I didn't feel too bad. He made his way in there and lived in my wall for about 3 months in the summer and ate the bugs that would come in, and one day he said saianara and went back outside. My second reptile was a corn snake that a friend of ours couldn't keep, his name was Momo, and his owner had him/her for about 10 years, but then reached that awkward 19 year old stage where you don't have money or a home and are couch and job surfing until you can get something solid. (We've had several rescue humans in the past, easily the one of toughest mammals to take care of), so I had Momo for about a year. My mom loved him, my dad hated him, and he was a pretty solid roommate. After that year, his owner was stable again and he moved back in with her. It's been a few years, and now I'm looking to give a ball python a forever home.