Steampets

[Arcturon the hobo]

I want a pet, it's been too long since I had my own pet. Now, due to my living conditions my prefferd choices of a wolf, a raven or a horse are out of the question.
It will have to be a small pet.

I don't want an insect or arachnid.
Rats, lizards and snakes are looking good.

So, cany anybody suggest for me a pet that would be comfortable in a temperate zone (prefferably without need for heatlamps) that would seem suitably steamy?

[JingleJoe]

A toad
Lizards and the like seems rather steampunk to me

[Arcturon the hobo]

Yeah, I was thinking a lizard'd be steamy.
But I also like the idea of a rat running in a little wheel that drives a dynamo to power some device of idiocy.

Anyway, ideas for kinds of lizard/rat/snake/goblin?

[AlexanderTheArcane]

Yeah, I was thinking a lizard'd be steamy.
But I also like the idea of a rat running in a little wheel that drives a dynamo to power some device of idiocy.

Anyway, ideas for kinds of lizard/rat/snake/goblin?

Alright, I've kept reptiles since I was 4. I got my first one then; a golden gecko named Nick. And, well, lizards tend to be on the high-maintenance end of reptiles. I mean, they're by no means unnescessarily complicated to take care of, but you'll get more affection and fun out of a rat, for way less fussing over its diet. A lizard, however, will live longer.

Your starter lizards, for those wanting to get into reptile keeping, are bearded dragons and leopard geckos. They're both docile enough to hold, hell, even hand-feed, and they're not horridly wanting of care. But you have to remember, you'll need a heat lamp, a light lamp, a heat matt, substrate, terrarium furnishings, a terrarium, a cricket keep with stuff to "gutload" the crickets, vitamin dust, all that. Also, you have to be able to keep these crickets alive throughout the week. And you have to feed the thing multiple times a day.

Snakes, in my opinion, are the way to go for reptiles. You feed your average-sized snake once a week, scoop the poop from his cage, keep his water fresh, and that's all the maintenance he'll need. Oh, also mist him with a spray bottle when he needs to shed, and he'll be good. I would highly reccomend a corn snake for a starter snake. They're docile, gorgeous, common (and therefore cheap) and very, very hardy.

[Arcturon the hobo]

Thanks, Alex. This is exactly the kind of advice I'm lloking for.

Keep it coming, guys.

[Ampère Volt]

I've been keeping rats since I was 9 years old and have for more then 20 years now. They are great loveable pets and make for great companions in a steamy bag or on your shoulder. Downside is they only live for 2 - 3,5 years about. They are very social, when you have 3 groups of 7 rats each and have had little groups of 2-3 rats, you can tell the difference. They love being in a large group and piling on top of eachother

http://rar.enterharmony.nl
http://lilaclair.enterharmony.nl

[GabrielCrimson]

i'm a big fan of rats and dice myself i've had a few in my life time. Fancy rats are brilliant. at the minute i have a lhasa aspo called oscar fingle, 2 mice called pika and chu, 2 gold fish and a cat called Tabatha. anythings steam i guess with the right name.

[Lady Penelope]

If (and ONLY if) you are willing and able to afford a bit of initial investment in a proper setup for them, hermit crabs can be fairly low maintenance, and they're amusing little aliens.  However, you would want to educate yourself beforehand by going to one of the hermit crab forums or message boards such as http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/hermies/ or http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/index.php and reading up on crabitat setup and crab care.  DON'T simply ask the pet store employees; most are clueless about proper crab care and will tell you that keeping one (or a dozen) in a fishbowl or tiny plastic Critter-keeper is fine, and that they don't have any special needs except for one empty shell to change into after a molt, and that a life expectancy of no more than a few months (if you're lucky) is to be expected.  Rubbish!  When properly cared for, they can live for years or even decades in captivity.  I think Jon and Kate (the oldest pair of pet hermies known) are well past voting age now.   

Here's what I have as my setup:
1 25 gallon long aquarium (I started with a 10 gal, but that's only recommended if you're only keeping small crabs.  Mine are large crabs, so that's not much floor space.  For small crabs, 2 gallons of space per crab is adequate.  For larger ones, they need more room to roam.

A glass aquarium lid.  (To start out, you can make do with a cardboard lid wrapped with plastic wrap, or even just plastic wrap vented at one corner, but NOT a mesh lid, because it won't keep in the humidity.)

A good thermometer and hygrometer.  I have a digital setup now, but started out with the cheap metal gauges from the pet store.  They'll work *if* calibrated properly, but you do have to check and recheck often to make sure they are, and the better quality sort aren't overly expensive.  I got mine at Walmart.

An Under Tank Heater (UTH) on one side of the tank floor (under the tank, not inside it).  This is so that the substrate will have a warmer side and a cooler side for the hermies to choose between.

A substrate.  Hermit crabs can burrow in sand, small gravel, or EcoEarth (the coconut bedding sold in pet stores).  I find sand easiest to maintain, although since I am a "live substrate" crabber, mine was initially mixed with enough moist EcoEarth to develop some good bacteria which help fight off any bad bacteria in the crabitat.  This means I don't have to do monthly deep cleans of the crabitat, and only have to deal with that mess and fuss about once a year, or whenever the little bozos have completely trashed the place.   
A calcium carbonate sand (found in pet stores or aquarium shops) is better for them than play sand, although to save on expense I used a layer of play sand at the bottom of my tank and then covered it with an layer of the calcium-rich sand.

Heat lamps are unnecessary--in fact, they can provide too much heat--but in very cold months a "moonlight" bulb can be ideal for warming the tank air and providing limited lighting.  Or even having the setup next to a table lamp can provide some light and heat.  Your ideal crabitat environment will have temps and humidity range maintained in the 75 range...that is, 75 Fahrenheit and 75% relative humidity.  Some fluctuation is fine, but you definitely don't want to head below 70 in either, or above 80.  Cool crabs become inactive, and crabs who are cold for too long will die.  Crabs can also overheat, and an overly humid crabitat can develop mold problems, which isn't merely unsightly, it's deadly for crabs.  Temp regulation can be as simple as unplugging your UTH if it's not needed and plugging it back in if it is.  Humidity can be regulated by making sure your tank remains covered (aside from a few small airholes), and that there's a clean moist sea sponge available if needed to boost the humidity a bit. (Sponges need to be sterilized if you use them, but that just entails boiling them every other day for a few minutes.  I don't bother with sponges since I have a glass tank lid, and generally have more need to let excess humidity out rather than keeping more in.)

So how do hermit crabs thrive in the tropics?  They can burrow and hide from the noonday sun, and then come out and play at night.  There's nowhere they can escape to from a poor crab setup though.  And as land crabs--which is what the ones sold in pet stores are--don't venture more than a mile or two inland, there's always nice ocean air.

They need a few spare empty shells in good condition, which can be gotten quite cheaply for smaller crabs if you go to a crafts store rather than a pet store, which sell them one at a time rather than in bags, and which try to foist off painted shells (no, don't even get me started on that rant!) on customers who think "How cuuuuute!  He's painted like SpongeBob...."     I keep at least one spare shell in their present size, and a couple in the next size up that I figure they'll grow into in a molt or two.  (You measure by the size of the shell opening.  It should be large enough for the crab's soft backside to fit into comfortably, and yet small enough to be mostly sealed off by the large pincer, which acts like a door when the crab retreats into his shell for protection.  A round opening is preferred by most species, although the Ecuadorians often prefer a D-shaped opening.)

One thing you won't have to worry about is overpopulation, unless you become a crab addict and buy more than you can support.  They don't breed in captivity; they can't.  They have to have an ocean available for their eggs to hatch and grow in.  They don't become land critters until later in the life cycle.

Commercial hermit crab foods are available, but it's best to at least supplement with table scraps such as fresh veggies, fruit, grains, etc.  Iodized table salt is poisonous to them (too much iodine in it for their systems), so nothing salted, and you have to avoid butter and oils as well, but if I've got some fresh veggie scraps on the cutting board, they'll gladly take them off my hands.  The crabs with the large purple claw and round eyes (Coenobita clypeatus) are best for beginners; the other species of land hermit crabs must have a dish of salt water as well as of fresh water to survive (another thing a pet store won't tell you), whereas for C. clypeatus it's more of a "druther" than a necessity.  If you offer it, they'll thank you; if you don't, they'll shrug their little crabby shoulders and not miss it much.  Steer far clear of "strawberry" crabs (bright red ones) if you're inexperienced at crabbing--they're pretty and expensive, but they are more finicky in their requirements (MUST have salt water, and like an end deep enough to submerge in, whereas other hermit crabs can actually drown if they get in over their head and can't get back out!), plus they're party-hearty types who WILL trash the crabitat and take no prisoners.  Feisty, those strawberries.  The red-headed stepchildren of the crabbing world.     I secretly want one but don't have time/energy/proper setup/space to maintain it.

That's probably much more than you ever wanted to know about hermies, but on the off chance you want more info, feel free to PM me.  Hermit crabs are fun and quirky critters.  (I keep a Yoda action figure in my crabitat because I have one crab who thinks it's his mission in life to knock it over whenever I set it upright...he "challenges" it first by looking all menacing, though.  Cracks me up!)   My cat thinks they're fascinating too.     (I'm not particularly worried about the crabs' safety around him; I'm much more worried about his!  Crabs have pincers for a reason.)  If you are worried about getting pinched, stick to smaller crabs, and wear gloves until you're more comfortable with them.  I've only been pinched once in...three years?...four?...and that was by a startled crab who got plunked down into my hand unexpectedly by a child who didn't give him any notice first.  Normally, if treated nicely, they're docile critters.  Shy at first, expecially if badly handled at the pet store, but once they're used to you, you can even hand feed them.  (Try a light coat of honey on a toothpick.  They all but beg.  Plus, it has some natural antibiotic and antifungal qualities, and helps keep them healthy.)

[AlexanderTheArcane]

CRAB-STUFF

Yikes! Those must be some happy crustaceans!

[Jake of All Trades]

Triops, the three-eyed living anachronisms! 

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

[Lady Penelope]

CRAB-STUFF

Yikes! Those must be some happy crustaceans!

Right now they're sleepy crustaceans.  By sunset I expect two (Ron and Hermione) will be up and about, wreaking havoc.  The other (Shelob, who it turns out is actually a He-lob) has been buried under the water dish for a couple of weeks now; molting again, I suspect.  He'll come up in another week or so (or when he darn well feels like it), with a suspiciously new looking exoskeleton, antennae waving around wildly and looking happy to see everyone.   

[akumabito]

Triops, the three-eyed living anachronisms! 

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Seconded. They're kinda like trilobites...

[akumabito]

...I've been offered a young crocodile the other day. The chap wanted 3,500 Baht for it. I'd jump on it if A.) I had $100 to spare, B.) I had a decent place to put the critter, C.) I knew how to properly take care of crocs and D.) the authorities wouldn't drag my cute little butt to jail if they found out. So yeah.. I passed.

If you look around there's all sorts of interesting animals on the markets here. Just a few weeks ago when I was in Bangkok I saw a pet shop selling young stingrays. Turtles in all sorts shapes and sizes can be found on the markets for less than $5. (people buy the turtles to set 'm free in lakes and ponds - apparently it brings good luck to do so, although it usually spells disaster for either the turtle, or the local fish population)

I love going to the farmer's markets, too.. water buffalo are cuuuuuute! Kinda expensive at $900 for a young bull, but it's a LOT of animal for your money, lol..

[Lady Penelope]

I love going to the farmer's markets, too.. water buffalo are cuuuuuute! Kinda expensive at $900 for a young bull, but it's a LOT of animal for your money, lol..

A bit hard to maintain for apartment dwellers, though.  Rather difficult to paper-train....   

[Pnakotus]

Triops, the three-eyed living anachronisms! 

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Seconded. They're kinda like trilobites...

I love triops

[akumabito]

I love going to the farmer's markets, too.. water buffalo are cuuuuuute! Kinda expensive at $900 for a young bull, but it's a LOT of animal for your money, lol..

A bit hard to maintain for apartment dwellers, though.  Rather difficult to paper-train....   

idunno.. it'd be an interesting experiment, that's for sure. I wonder if you could fit one in an elevator.. you know, to take it outside for a walk...

[Lady Penelope]

I love going to the farmer's markets, too.. water buffalo are cuuuuuute! Kinda expensive at $900 for a young bull, but it's a LOT of animal for your money, lol..

A bit hard to maintain for apartment dwellers, though.  Rather difficult to paper-train....   

idunno.. it'd be an interesting experiment, that's for sure. I wonder if you could fit one in an elevator.. you know, to take it outside for a walk...

"Heeeere, Ferdinand!  It's time for walkies...."

*falls over laughing at the image*

[JingleJoe]

Triops, the three-eyed living anachronisms! 

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

omg I want a colony of them! They are brilliant!

[akumabito]

I love going to the farmer's markets, too.. water buffalo are cuuuuuute! Kinda expensive at $900 for a young bull, but it's a LOT of animal for your money, lol..

A bit hard to maintain for apartment dwellers, though.  Rather difficult to paper-train....   

idunno.. it'd be an interesting experiment, that's for sure. I wonder if you could fit one in an elevator.. you know, to take it outside for a walk...

"Heeeere, Ferdinand!  It's time for walkies...."

*falls over laughing at the image*

DISPATCHER: 911 Emergency Services, how may I help you?
CALLER: Yeah, it's uhhmm.. it's Ferdinand, he got stuck in the elevator!
DISPATCHER: There is a person stuck in the elevator?
CALLER: Yes! I mean, no.. well, yes, but it's not a person. Please send someone, it sounds like he's in pain!
DISPATCHER: I'm sorry, but you will have to be a little more precise...
CALLER: It's my water buffalo damn it! He got stuck in the elevator!
DISPATCHER: ...your what?
CALLER: Ferdinand! My water buffalo! I shoved him in the elevator to take him outside for a walk, as I do every day, but today his horns must've touched the buttons or something and the doors closed and now he's stuck!
DISPATCHER: Hang on.. you're telling me you have a buffalo.. and he's stuck in an elevator?
CALLER: Yes ma'am, stuck on the 12th floor! Please send someone over ASAP. I was just gonna go out to take him to his favorite tree.. you know, so he could do his business... He REALLY needs to go, it's gonna be a giant mess in the elevator if he doesn't get out quickly!

[Lady Penelope]

Akumabito, you're a sick puppy.  I like that in a person.  get help   

[Ethyl Cannes]

I have to concur with Alex on snakes, especially cornsnakes. I have two, and they really are amazingly easy to care for, and beautiful, interesting animals.

I wont gush too much, but there's pictures of them here: Snakes

[Arcturon the hobo]

OK, it's looking like I'll get either a rat or a snake.
I'm leaning toward rat because I can keep him with me when I go out sometimes, which you cannot do with a pet snake in Ireland, unless anybody wants to correct me on that.

[Gentleman-Adventurer]

OK, it's looking like I'll get either a rat or a snake.
I'm leaning toward rat because I can keep him with me when I go out sometimes, which you cannot do with a pet snake in Ireland, unless anybody wants to correct me on that.

Steve, people are definitely going to look at you askew if you wander around with a rat on your person. You don't strike me as the kind you'd care, though, so go right ahead. Call him Carruthers.

[Arcturon the hobo]

John, people already look at me askew. I'm not sure a rat would exacerbate that very much.

[Dax]

So, cany anybody suggest for me a pet that would be comfortable in a temperate zone (prefferably without need for heatlamps) that would seem suitably steamy?

A Cat!  But not just any cat...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sphynx_(cat)


For a truly maintenance free pet, you could just get an ecosphere and watch your shrimp cavort.  I had one of these actively working for over four years, until a guest managed to crack the glass.
http://www.eco-sphere.com/home.htm