TLDR: Looking to start building a tank/ enclosed habitat for a low maintenance pet, possibly some kind of arboreal, that has inexpensive food and doesn't require food more often than once a week (Or can at least go a week without eating and be fine, in the event of camping trips). Willing to buy whatever I need for said pet to make sure it has a wonderful and enriched life, up to 200-250 gallons. I am scared to handle tank pets so it will be mostly a "display" pet. Look but don't touch, etc. Not scared of pets that most people consider 'ugly' or 'creepy', like tarantulas/snakes etc. What can you suggest?
Long part;
I'm looking for a tank pet in the semi-near future and thought I would start to do my research on what would be good for me. Currently I have a pet dark fishing spider. It is easy to feed and water, in that I only need to keep a small water bowl topped up/Mist the tank a bit and feed a couple crickets every few days.
Here's what I'm looking for;
- I'm looking for something that will make a wonderful display pet (I want to minimize handling, as I am afraid of losing a pet or dropping one, but I do want a pet that I can __potentially__ handle or train to be handled over time, but prefer nothing that will bolt off underneath the couch at the speed of light)
- I am willing to buy whatever I need to "automate" the enclosure so to speak; Heaters, misters, lightbulbs, that sort of thing. Something I can leave alone for five days or so if I feel the need to go camping. (Which happens about five weekends a year.) I am willing to spoil the shit out of whatever pet I get, with a large enclosure and enrichment items etc, though I may draw a limit at 200gallons.
- I want a pet that lasts a while between feedings, whose food isn't too expensive. My cats food costs me 56 dollars. (Specialized senior brand, it's the only thing my calico will eat without throwing it up later.) Anyway, I'm looking for food costs more in the 20$ range, the cheaper the better. I'm fine with carnivorous animals, or animals that eat live prey, but-
- I have a problem feeding fresh leafy vegetables and fruits, in that I don't buy anything but frozen for myself, (I can't just go to the store whenever I want, so they're not easily accessible.) Frozen veggies I can probably do.
- Honestly, I'm kind of thinking about owning a snake, but I don't know anything about good beginner snakes or the like. So if any of you out there in this sub know anything about that, please let me know.I have considered a cornsnake before, but I'm scared to death of bites, so I've been told "no kingsnakes" since apparently they're bitey. Someone recommended a hognose to me once, as they're more the "play dead" type than the bite type, and I am also in love with possums (They also "play dead"). If you are suggesting a snake or reptile, please be specific about species you think I should get!
- I would prefer arboreal critters vs ground level, or "ant farm" style tunnelers, because I want something I can watch and admire, and learn about. I often find tank pets have a lot of personality.
- I am fine with pets most people consider 'creepy', like tarantulas etc, but I won't have fish anymore, as I'm tired of water monitoring.
- I plan on planting the tank with stuff, not sure what quite yet. Dunno if a plant grow light is different nutritionally than a light for reptiles.
I do NOT want:
- A bearded dragon, or anything that requires calcium dusted food.
- Any reptile that can shed their tail easily, as I've read crested geckos do often (Willing to soften up on this one)
- Something as long-lived as a parrot or a tortoise/turtle. 20-30 year commitments are fine as long as the tank's atmosphere is easy to keep regulated, but I do prefer shorter.
I don't know the right way to go about this, but any advice or input from you guys is appreciated!
PS: I am __not__ looking to actually buy any pets at this time (My life is a mess, but when I get it back on track, I want a low-maintenance pet), mainly I made this post so I can start putting together a habitat for it, as I'm pretty sure it'll be expensive.
I just need to decide what I'm getting, because setups for reptile vs amphibian vs invertebrate are all vastly different etc.
Do any of you have any suggestions, if you have had a pet like this before?
Probably at least one person is going to be thinking that I shouldn't even have a pet if I want something so low maintenance, but I'm a lonely guy, man. Maybe if I have something I want to take care of I'll be better at taking care of myself. Therapy pets are a thing, right? *Hopeful, not sarcastic*
I just figure I need to do a lot of research to find the perfect pet for me, as I am unhappy with my two cats because I cannot give them appropriate space, hence why I want a tank pet.
What pet do you think is correct for me based on the information provided above?
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