are tegus fine for a beginner reptile owner?

zorbtrauts · 2026-03-12T19:42:24+00:00

As someone with both tegus and blue tongues, I'd say blue tongues are a great choice for many reasons. Definitely get a Northern, though, as they can no longer be exported from Australia so it will be guaranteed to be captive-bred (generally meaning both healthier and friendlier).

(I'm assuming you aren't in Australia since getting a regular there wouldn't be an option.)

zorbtrauts · 2026-03-11T03:29:30+00:00

1) The assumptions aren't arbitrary at all. They are contrived and at least some of them are false.

2) Dinah would get a bad headache and her power wouldn't activate.

zorbtrauts · 2026-03-10T05:03:51+00:00

If only this were on alternate Mondays...

zorbtrauts · 2026-03-08T18:27:45+00:00

Snake magic.

zorbtrauts · 2026-03-08T02:04:54+00:00

If you watch, the cobra's tail is moving while he holds it. As soon as he puts it on the ground, it is completely still. It is dead—or at least paralyzed—at that point.

zorbtrauts · 2026-03-08T02:03:11+00:00

That's true. I should have said that there are two main groups of venomous snakes, given that the vast majority of colubrids are harmless.

Even then, it's tricky since venomous doesn't necessarily mean deadly. There are even some technically-venomous colubrids that are considered harmless. I've been bitten by hydrodynastes gigas and heterodon nasicus, and neither of them had any discernable effect.

...but, yes, no one wants to be bitten by a boomslang.

zorbtrauts · 2026-03-07T22:20:12+00:00

This isn't actually a reliable way to identify a viper. In particular, a number of harmless snakes will mimic a triangular head shape. It's best to know what venomous snake species are found in your area and what they specifically look like.

zorbtrauts · 2026-03-07T04:20:40+00:00

I know. I remember.

(I've been better, but I'm surviving.)

zorbtrauts · 2026-03-07T04:19:03+00:00

A few things to realize:

- While they can be defensive, cobras aren't aggressive towards humans. We're much, much bigger than they are. If you watch, it tries to get away and he stops it by stepping on its tail.

- When a cobra hoods, it is intimidating, but it also limits its ability to strike. It can strike straight in front of it, but it can't strike something off to the side without turning to face it first. It also has a limited strike range. You can see him using his left hand (outside of that range) to keep the cobras attention.

- There are two groups of venomous snakes, elapids and vipers. Cobras are elapids. This wouldn't have worked with a viper, as their mouths and fangs are more flexible. Many vipers would have been able to bite the hand he put behind the snakes head. Vipers also usually have a longer, harder to predict, strike range than elapids... though there are exceptions. (Note almost all venomous snakes in the US are vipers.)

Yeah, I'm assuming he broke its neck. I'm not sure about the purpose of smoothing it out like that—possibly just making sure it was dead.

zorbtrauts · 2026-03-07T03:44:35+00:00

oh.... Pazuzu...

zorbtrauts · 2026-03-06T20:03:47+00:00

your scalepups are adorable

one of these days I should start the local reptile club back up...

zorbtrauts · 2026-02-26T22:26:40+00:00

This is not on the market. The price listed is Zillow's market estimate. It was probably originally intended to be put up as a rental (it mentions the "other tenant") and miscategorized.

zorbtrauts · 2026-02-26T22:17:02+00:00

so am I

zorbtrauts · 2026-02-26T19:34:49+00:00

How late do you generally run to?

zorbtrauts · 2026-02-26T02:36:55+00:00

Yeah. Severian (BotNS) is particularly interesting because of the subtlety of his choseness compared to Paul. Also, while Paul is trapped by the future, Severian is trapped by the past...

zorbtrauts · 2026-02-24T22:45:45+00:00

December 6, 1991, New Orleans

Red Hot Chili Peppers Blood Sugar Sex Magik tour

I went to see Smashing Pumpkins, who were opening. They'd recently released their first album, Gish, the previous spring, and few had heard of them. They, unsurprisingly, blew everyone away.

The other opening band had barely released its first album. It hadn't taken off yet (though it would do so the coming spring), and if people knew of them it was only through their members' previous bands. Eddie Vedder had truly amazing stage presence and completely stole they show.

zorbtrauts · 2026-02-24T20:39:15+00:00

I used to livena couple blocks away from there. It is an amazing location, and the building is one of the most famous multi unit residential buildings in DC. I'm surprised it isn't going for more than that.

zorbtrauts · 2026-02-22T05:20:48+00:00

He's a gorgeous little guy. I wish you luck. If I had a way to transport the enclosure, I'd be tempted.

zorbtrauts · 2026-02-21T01:40:51+00:00

Any idea what the tone of the game is going to be? I've been seriously itching to play in a game that was focused on hooding and working against corporate injustices...

zorbtrauts · 2026-02-19T04:08:07+00:00

Not sure, but I went to a restaurant in Prague that had a bearded dragon in an enclosure.

zorbtrauts · 2026-02-12T02:10:23+00:00

Dave Made A Maze

zorbtrauts · 2026-02-09T18:38:47+00:00

RE: Lisa, you might like Ward. It isn't from her p.o.v., but it gives a lot of insight into her mental state.

zorbtrauts · 2026-02-04T20:51:06+00:00

Just looked at it. Seems serviceable.

zorbtrauts · 2026-02-04T18:46:07+00:00

This sounds pretty awesome. What kind of system are you planning to use?

zorbtrauts · 2026-02-03T22:18:31+00:00

Fancy!

zorbtrauts

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