Do geckos make good pets for ten year olds?

Question

My nephew wants a gecko for christmas, but...Is this a good idea?
Thanks!

Answer 1

If you are willing to be the primary caregiver, and if you are certain that you or his parents will keep this animal for 10+ years, even after your nephew has lost interest, which he very well may?
If so, then yes, it's fine, but make it a gift for the whole family (his parents and siblings too - one gecko per kid, maybe?) Because geckos can't really be handled. With parental supervision, it can sit on the kid's hand, maybe walk on his arm, but that'll be about it.

Frankly, a better pet would be a mammal of some sort. I suggest a rat. I know, I know that people don't like rats, but I've owned all sorts of pet rodents and frankly, rats are the smartest and the least likely to bite.

Answer 2

I wouldn't recommend it. I've had nearly every type of reptilian pet,and geckos would probably be my last choice for a ten year old boy. They are mostly an adult pet, because they are difficult to keep and are very high maintenance, requiring very specific levels of heat, light, and humidity. They're also not good for most anything besides observation--they are very fast and can escape in the blink of an eye, so you can't really hold them. Also, some geckos are a little cranky and tend to bite. I doubt a young boy would be happy with something that he could not interact with. (When I was about 10, I lost two geckos that way. I tried to hold them and they jumped out of my hand and ran under some furniture. We never found them.)

If your nephew want some sort of lizard, I would highly recommend a bearded dragon. They make amazing pets and are great with kids! As far as reptiles go, they're relatively easy to care for, require few special housing needs, and are inexpensive to feed. They're remarkably friendly, almost never bite, and have distinct personalities. Most enjoy being held and are very calm, relaxed, and gentle. Also, they can be trained to some extent... My friend's bearded dragon knows its name and walks perfectly on a leash. For more information on them, here's a good introduction to bearded dragons: http://www.beardeddragon.org/articles/caresheet/

Answer 3

Depends on why he wants it. Geckos are not good pets to be handled at all. They are notoriously mean and grouchy. If the boy wants it to live in a proper terrarium and just observe it, then it would be okay (probaby---most tropical animals don't do well in non-tropical climates, and a LOT of care must go into to them). If he wants a pet that he can touch and interact with a bit, then a gecko would be a very bad idea.

Answer 4

REmember that a ten year old will need alot of help looking after any pet and not just reptiles. For a proper enviroment electrical products are involved so safety comes into the judgement as well. Ask his parents if they are willing to care for the animal before buying it for him. Care sheets are available for some pets on my web site.
http://www.artsaquaticsandanimals.com

Answer 5

Depends, my mother always had a rule, we could get a pet as long as she was willing to look after it. lol. I own 2 leopard geckos they seem to make great living art, but since I got them as a rescue, their temperment isn't the greatest as of yet. I also own 2 bearded dragons, and I honestly believe they would be a better suited pet for a child. They don't bite, usually can leash train them, diet is very easy to learn and afford, dwelling for them is quiet simple for a 10 y/o to co-manage. Their spikes may seem scary, but truth be told, they're soft, kind of remind me of feathers. lol.

Answer 6

A Ball Python for particular, they max out at 4 ft (it rather is shorter than a corn) they are very affected individual animals and intensely very docile, i own 3 and characteristic under no circumstances once been bitten with the help of them, my acquaintances have all dealt with them and my snakes have under no circumstances shown any aggression in any respect. really difficulty-free to look after, feed them once a week shop their water crowned up, replace it thoroughly once a week (once you feed them) use plantaion soil and or coconut husk for substrate to shop humidity. clean the tank about once ever 2 to three weeks... have self belief me in case you get him a ball python that's a secure tremendous puppy that doesnt get too massive and anybody will love. at the same time as and in case you first get the snake dont deal with it for the first week to allow it get used to the enclosure, then feed it a frozen mouse (thaw it in warmth water and use feeding tongs) then wait atleast 2 day for it to digest then you definitely can carry it :) ascertain that you do have an lower than the tank heater on one area of the tank with the conceal on that area and a warmth lamp for the right with a 50 watt pink bulb must be sturdy. sturdy success :D

Answer 7

No, they're not mature or responsible enough and they'll get tired of it after a week.

Answer 8

No