My son wants a pet lizzard for Christmas. What type is the best and how do you care for them?
2006-12-11 12:16:02 · 9 answers · asked by reeni 5 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
my son is 11
2006-12-11 22:56:24 · update #1
The care necessary for a pet lizard depends entirely on what kind you get. As for what kind you get, that depends on your situation. How much are you willing to spend on it? What size tank can you fit into your home? How much time can you spend on its care? Does he want something more for looks, or does he want a loving pet? Is he going to be a first-time reptile owner?
Bearded dragons are often suggested for first first-time owners. They are very loving, very smart (along the lines of a dog or cat), and relatively hardy, so long as you get them from a reliable source. I don't recommend buying any reptile from a pet store; it's better to find a reliable breeder. However, they love to be handled, and are not the type of pet you can get for a kid if they're going to be forgotten once Christmas has rolled by.
A gecko of some sort may be a good idea. Most of them stay pretty small, and certain species can be very friendly.
Avoid chameleons of any kind if it's not going to be cared for by an experienced reptile owner. They can be very difficult to keep alive.
As with any pet, and probably especially with reptiles, it is essential that one researches the care necessary to provide your animal with the most comfortable life possible BEFORE you get the pet.
Also, just for a heads-up, pet stores very often provide false information about reptiles. Always make sure that you check anything that they tell you with multiple sources.
Good luck with your lizard-hunt, and happy holidays!
2006-12-11 12:42:10 · answer #1 · answered by Naomi 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Crested geckos are distinctive lizards. I'm now not certain I'd propose one for a nine-yr-ancient, although, as they are able to be relatively fragile. It all will depend on your son -- if he is the boisterous "all boy" form, then he should have no lizard till he's older. If he's well with fragile matters (particularly are living fragile matters) then he would do pleasant with a crested. However, they don't seem to be lizards that a youngster can take out and play with. Their skins are fragile, their limbs are fragile, and they'll drop their tails if harassed -- in contrast to many lizards, they don't regrow misplaced tails. Also, they are able to and can chew if scared. They are not able to do any harm, however it is most probably that the bitten individual will do some thing which damages the lizard, akin to losing it. There are a couple of bizarre matters approximately them. For something, now not most effective do they have to be hot sufficient, however additionally they have to be cool sufficient. They endure from warmth strain while their atmosphere is just too hot (over eighty five levels), and it will probably kill them. Another factor is they devour fruit as good as bugs. Mine has ZooMed day gecko meals to be had at all times, and crickets one or two times every week. I might endorse getting both or either one of 2 books: The Crested Gecko In Captivity, by means of Robbie Hamper, or Crested Geckos and Relatives, by means of RD Bartlett. All that stated, Yahoo Answers isn't quite the position to get the high-quality recommendation on opting for a lizard in your son. A puppy retailer rather then a reptile area of expertise retailer could also be prone to be dangerous, and a massive chain puppy retailer will, besides in exceptional circumstances, be worse than not anything. (I do understand a Petco that has a reptile informed and breeder on employees, however that is the exception) What you must attempt to do is get in contact with different reptile homeowners on your discipline. A neighborhood herpetological society is a well position to begin -- there are plenty of them. Talk to any one who has revel in with the species you are focused on, meet a few of their animals, see what their care honestly entails, after which you'll be able to make a decision if that form of lizard -- crested gecko, leopard gecko, blue-tongued skink, or some thing else (good, besides an iguana) is for you and your son.
2016-09-03 08:06:53 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sorry if someone covered this, but take into account that you will be the caregiver, not your son. Also, most pet "lizzards" eat live things. If you are okay with both, set aside about 80$ and get a set up for a large, docile gecko, like a leopard gecko or am african fat-tailed gecko. Do a lot of research with several sources, buy the set up and wrap it up. After the holiday, take your son to the store to pick out his gecko (or whatever you chose to get) and take it home to the nice warm tank you've already had a great time setting up with your son. It makes Christmas last longer, you won't fight the crowds of people, and it's healthier for the pet, too.
2006-12-11 13:16:47 · answer #3 · answered by lemonnpuff 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
This depends on what lind of lizard he wants and how old is he? If he's really young, better pick one you really like, because chances are, you will be the one ending up taking care of it.
Leopard geckos are really sweet and you can care for them easily. Maybe a brown anole. They're fairly cute and usually do well. If he isn't near grown, please do not get him an iguana. They are not children's pets and have a long life expectancy. It will no doubt be under your bed the first time it gets loose, (and it will) Mine was three ft longt and came out from under the bed at night and crawled up on the bed, then got away befor I could catch it. We finally had to take the bed down to catch it. He was really not happy about being caught. He beat up my husband with his tail.
2006-12-11 14:47:50 · answer #4 · answered by flissyjane58 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Lizards are great but how old is your son?? in my opinion a bearded dragon would be a great starter pet. it gets 1-1 1/2ft long and is realitvly easy to cae for. the main diets are greens and crickets and they are very very tame and have great personalitys and i think your son and you would enjoy the exerince together
2006-12-11 12:57:18 · answer #5 · answered by andy s 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
geckos are the easiest lizard to care for and are fed insects. if you want more info on geckos then go on google and type in : "geckos" and you should get more info on their. if your son wants one that isn't the simplest then you could get him a iguana but i don't recommend the bearded dragon.
2006-12-11 23:03:04 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
i would have to agree on the bearded dragon i have to and my 5 year old nice likes to hold the big one and he just loves to be handled and there ez matenice and ez to feed
2006-12-11 14:07:59 · answer #7 · answered by tigerarmyneverDIES!! 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Great answer, naiomi. may i reccomend leopard geckos:? they are small freindly and hardy. beardies are harder to care for but thats the road i took and little rex is happy and healthy. good luck
2006-12-11 12:50:31 · answer #8 · answered by prxlykos 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yuck, disgusting!
2006-12-11 12:32:38 · answer #9 · answered by Grandma Soder 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋