What you have now will serve you very well (I have the same two lenses). I would say that the only real improvements you could make would be:
1) Sell your kit 18-55 lens for as much as you can get for it (likely only $100-150) and put that money plus the $800 towards the EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM lens. There's really no difference in focal length but the quality of the 17-55 is superior to the 18-55, as is the aperture.
2) Buy the 60mm macro lens (I have this as well as the two kit lenses) as well as an external flash like the 430EXII (the model I have) or 580EXII. The external flash will open up a whole new world of photography for you.
3) Put that money towards a VERY professional photo studio for your herps. Something that utilizes moss, vines, a naturalistic background, some logs, etc. Also pick up some umbrellas for maximum illumination.
4) Use the money to educate yourself. Take a photography course or some photography workshops.

It is my opinion (and I think pretty much every serious photographer would agree - I'm not a serious photographer by the way) that the person holding the camera is the most important variable. Then, the lens. Then, the camera. You can have great equipment and if you don't know how to use it, it's worthless. Conversely, an excellent photographer can take very good pictures with practically any normally functioning camera.

As I mentioned, the two kit lenses you have are VERY good. You may not need to diversify your lenses any further at this point.

Hope this helped and congrats on the ROCKIN Christmas gift!
jb

>>Hey everyone I purchased a canon t2i as a Christmas gift to my self, i bought the kit version that came with the 18-55mm lens and also was able to get he bundle with the 55-250 mm lens.
>> My question is i was wondering what some good lens that people use, that would be good lens to get some nice shots of reptiles, some close ups.
>>price doesn't really matter too much since it is winter and i have a few months to save up before summer comes and the reptiles come out, just not looking to spend more than $800.
>>
>>and any other accessories you guys(or girls) would request i get.
>>
>>thanks for your help
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What's written above is purely my opinion. In fact, MOST of what you read on the internet is someone's opinion. Don't take it too seriously

Jonathan Brady
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