2007-03-20 14:30:19 · 20 answers · asked by cricky 1 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
Why are you getting such a small child a reptile as a pet?! He'll lick it and get salmonella.
2007-03-20 14:33:35 · answer #1 · answered by Elizabeth K 2 · 5⤊ 0⤋
This is a nice idea, but please do not do it.
1. 1 year olds really cannot appeciate pets they cannot touch, and they cannot touch most animals in a way that is safe for both them and the animal. A dog that is used to babies is about the best bet in this way.
2. Baby turtles are against the federal regulations to sell- exactly because of things like this. They carry Salmonella and kids do not practice good hygiene, so become infected.
3. Turtles are awkward pets for anyone. The old fashioned 'bowl with a tree, small shaker of food' bit kills them quickly. (That apparently used to be part of the plan- it almost guaranteed repeat sales when the baby turtle died in several months.)
Turtles really need space, warmth, good fake sunlight, the right (and rather messy) diet, and big filters to be happy and healthy.
4. Most health and childrens groups, such as the Centers for Disease Control DO NOT want parents to get turtles (or other reptiles) as pets for children.
5. Personally, for a 1 year old, I'd do a stuffed animal!
2007-03-21 02:56:19 · answer #2 · answered by Madkins007 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Turtles carry salmonella, so that may not be safe as a first pet. Such a small child may not be good with too many pets, but you may want to try something small that he can't squish and kill, but that won't harm him -- I can't think of much unless he likes watching fish or can just watch the turtle without getting near it ( as long as you clean your hands which I am sure you do!) Around here people sell turtles even at work, but I have also seem expensive ones at regular chain petstores.
2007-03-20 20:31:07 · answer #3 · answered by boncarles 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why would you get a little kid a turtle? They are very hard to care for, they can't be handle, they live a long time minimum of 25 years and they need very large tanks. They need aUVB light, a basking light and and place to get out of the water if it's an aqutic turtle. Get the kid a goldfish. Do a lot of research then decide if a turtle is right for you, not a 1 year old, because you are the one who is going to be caring for it.
2007-03-20 16:42:18 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's great that you cannot find one...a baby turtle needs special care and a one year old son would not know what to do with such a pet. Now if the pet is really for you...then you must read up on the many types of turtles and tortoises there are and realize how you need to care for them...they are not like cats or dogs...you cant go around holding them and playing with them unless you want it to die...they need an environment created for them that they can thrive and live as they should...it is like your son, he needs a certain environment to live and thrive. He wouldn't do well in a fish tank, zoo, or rabbit hutch. So consider that a turtle will need such a thing if you intend it to live.
2007-03-20 14:37:34 · answer #5 · answered by teri 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
A turle is a poor choice of pet for a child so young. Actually a child so young isn't ready to deal with a pet of any kind. A child of that age doesn't know better than to do such things as bite the pet, poke things in eyes and ears, fall on the pet, pull hair, tails, and other body parts and might easily kill a puppy, kitten, or small animal. A pet subjected to the things a kid that young is very likely to do to it, usually will respond to the pain and fear of being hurt by the child, by biting, scratching, or other fear-aggression behavior
Wait until the child is about 4 o r 5, and is learning how to control his/her behavior. At the age of 1, a child isn't physically or mentally able to handle pets.
2007-03-20 14:37:47 · answer #6 · answered by TheSnakeWhisperer 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I'm guessing you're going to be the one who takes care of it, since your son is 1 year old. I wouldn't recommend a turtle, the grow big fast. They get about a foot long and create SO MUCH waste! They also require warm temperatures and UVB light. Get something easier, like a cricket. :) And don't forget that little children have a higher risk of getting Salmonella.
2007-03-20 14:36:11 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Because the small turtles we all had as children have been associated with a bacteria, samonella, which causes food poisoning and may result in death. This spread of this bacteria is easily prevented simply washing your hands. However, because of samonella most states have banned the sales of turtles less than 4 inches.
2007-03-21 04:30:52 · answer #8 · answered by DEBBIE S 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I can't help but respond to this one. I have a 7 year old daughter and the first thing I thought about whenn you mentioned your 1 year old and a turtle, he wil PUT IT IN HIS MOUTH. Super YUCK, and dangerous. Even if you keep it in a tank, he will find a way to get to it, and befor you know it, you'll be calling poison control and your kid's gonna be throwing up all over the place. Can you say "Unpleasant ER visit?" Get him some goldfish. He won't be able to catch those, and they don't bite.
2007-03-20 14:36:02 · answer #9 · answered by lucky_turtle_racing8 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I recommend that in case your son is in undemanding words one, than do not get a turtle. i used to have a turtle, and they bit kinda not straightforward some circumstances. i recommend some thing comfortable, like a Guinea pig. they're very sweet and cuddle. yet do not enable him mistake any puppy as a toy, or undesirable issues might want to ensue to the puppy, and the youngster may experience a seance of loss, witch is problematical to do at a tender age. you would possibly want to always take him to the puppy save, and enable him %. out the puppy. basically, dont jet him see the spiders!
2016-12-02 08:04:23 · answer #10 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just my two cents, but because of the salmonela(Sp?) risk associated with pet turtles, I might suggest that you don't get your son a baby turtle.
I'm not suggesting that you haven't taught him proper hygiene, but most one year olds don't wash their hands enough that they could have a baby turtle without making themselves sick.
2007-03-20 14:34:52 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋