Maybe getting a pet reptile, have question

[SkyandHoudini]

Money is a little tight right now, and the vet along with some more pet toys and perches for Sky are my main concerns at the moment, but, maybe for summer, I'm considering adopting a Crested Gecko.

So what I'm worried about. That Salmonella risk. I get anxious pretty quickly. Except not about myself.

Should I be worried about Sky contracting salmonella?

And yes, I do plan to follow the general hygiene precautions that come along with owning reptiles; the washing of the hands with warm water and soap and what not. But I know that parrots can contract salmonella. So I'm a little bit apprehensive about getting a reptile, though I've admired Crested Geckos for quite a while...

If I don't go for a Gecko, I'll probably get a hamster instead. I'm pretty smitten with both, but only plan on getting one or the other. The thing about Geckos is they don't require the hands on affection that a Ham might require, and I don't want to get another animal that requires a lot of love and affection and end up never doing my classwork cause god know I'm going to play with the hamster instead of focusing on my studies

But seriously, is my salmonella anxiety valid?

 

[sonja]

There are lots of people who keep parrots and reptiles, including myself. Just wash your hands and you and your parrot will be fine.

 

[riddick07]

I don't really worry overly much about this but I also don't just jump from bird to snake to bird without washing hands or at the very least using hand sanitizer.

 

[Dinosrawr]

I think a reptile would be a better addition, but I'm biased But I echo what everyone else has said. It's really not a big deal so long as you're washing your hands in between. I had a snake prior to having birds, but my birds and snake have "co-existed" - if you will - for three years. There's never been a problem. They're just obviously never out at the same time and I don't cross-contaminate anything. Snake stuff stays in snake bin, bird stuff stays in bird bin.