2006-08-22 05:50:40 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Reptiles
A bearded dragon is pretty hearty and easy to handle - my 7-year-old has one and loves it. I wouldn't recommend a baby one - they're kind of small, but one that is about a year old should be good.
2006-08-22 06:01:24 · answer #1 · answered by SlumberPartiesbyHelen 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I was in elemenatry school probly around the same age as your child I owned several Anoles. The green anoles were and still are my favorite. They are very low maintanence. People say that the bulbs are neccesary I had my best luck with keeping my lizards where there was natural light and I never used anything but a small heat rock for them. They eat crickets not very many and it is better to under feed a reptile than to over feed it. So I would suggest 1 dozen crickets a month per lizard that you own. It is also easy to breed and keep your own crickets. Just buy an extra dozen the first time you buy crickets and buy the dietary supplements for them. But what ever lizard you decide on PLEASE do your research. Find reputable sites, buy a care book about the animal that you plan on purchasing, and if the pet store you purchase your animal has a general care sheet take one of those home as well. It never hurts to be educated just make sure that before you make any decision that you are properly educated and that you and yoru child are ready for the responsibility.
2006-08-23 05:44:41 · answer #2 · answered by bobbye 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Crested geckos can be great pets for responsible kids.
I'd try and get an adult as they're not as fragile and have grown into their full colors.
They will eat considerably less then bearded dragons - who when adults will happily gulp back over a dozen crickets a day, even when being fed salads.
Crested geckos will be eating their crickets and love having their diet supplemented with fruit based baby food. In addition they have lower start up costs as well. A single adult will do when in a 25gal [tall] or larger tank. As nocturnal lizards they don't require UVA/UVB light and depending on your house temperature may not need extra heat. Typically I've found they thrive at a range of mid 70s to 80s. They need to be kept humid and given a lot of places to hide.
Talk to your local pet store, they should be able to give you some more help. But make sure to do your own research and compare information. Best of luck!
2006-08-22 13:18:19 · answer #3 · answered by Dia 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have a texas collard lizard, he is very calm and you can walk around with him on your shoulder and he doesnt freak out when i let my 3 yr old brother hold him... if you know how 3 yr olds are then you know the collard lizard is a good choice for an 8 yr old if they can handle a 3 yr old... you can use a cheap bag of sand for the bottom of the tank... like if you were to buy sand for a kids sand box... tehy should have a heat rock or something. and UVA and UVB lights, but my brother works at the pet store and said they dont necessarily need the lights. they dont use them for the collard lizards at his store... as long as the heat rock is in the tank.... the adults only need to eat 3 or 4 times a week, but the babys eat 2 times a day.... you can feed them crickets, meal worms, occationally fruits and veggi's... they arent too high maintenence.
2006-08-23 03:25:17 · answer #4 · answered by Vixen 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the 8 year old.. Anoles are relatively low maintenance and really cheap. They do eat crickets so you would have to buy crickets for them. Then there are a all around fav, Bearded Dragons. They eat fruits, veggies, crickets and meal worms and you can buy them canned food like with fish. Both will need full spectrum lights with UV lights as well and if you get a baby one you will need calcium supplements. Chameleons are fun cause they change color but too much handling will stress it and it will fight back and even bite.. Bearded Dragons might look a little scary cause it's pokey, but they are really calm, they will sit on your shoulder or chest. I haven't owned an anole or dragon but I've friends that have had dragons and they are really cool.
2006-08-22 13:05:16 · answer #5 · answered by Gray Wanderer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ignore snake_girl and consider a bearded dragon or leopard gecko (or an African fat tail gecko).
Just kidding snake_girl!!!
Those are the lizards I would recommend to a beginner. Definitely not a crested gecko - their care is much more specialized & they tend to be considerably more expensive. They are neat lizards however!
2006-08-22 19:50:10 · answer #6 · answered by carl l 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A bearded dragon or an Iguana. They are both pretty easy to take care of the iguana will get big where as the dragon won't
2006-08-22 21:31:17 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bearded dragon, but they get medium to large sized. Leopard geckos are good, small beginner lizards
2006-08-22 13:04:10 · answer #8 · answered by snake_girl85 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
my 9 yr. old has 3 anoles, one green and 2 brown. he found 2 in Florida and 1 in Arkansas. we live in Nebraska and we've had 1 for over a year. he takes care of them himself. getting crickets for them is easy, from a pet store or online.
2006-08-23 00:21:02 · answer #9 · answered by lisa s 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋