What is a good lizard for a child?

Question

My 4 year old desperately wants a lizard, and we're considering getting him one. I would be the one taking care of it, but I want something that he can help with. Something that isn't likely to bite or hurt him (although I know there's always a risk of that with any animal). I would also like something that is fairly easy to take care of. I'm willing to do all the necessary research and put in the effort, but I've never had a lizard before. I would also prefer something that doesn't require live food, but that's negotiable. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Well. Four is a little young to be considering a complex animal like a lizard. Not that he isn't able but you will have to watch over him as he helps. Live food is something you do not want to stray away from when it comes to lizards unless maybe a turtle and that doesn't really count. I can think of 2 lizards that you may want to try both eat live crickets. Very easy to get a hold of at your local pet store bagged and ready. :)

My #1 is a leopard Gecko. Super cute and one that you can hold and mess with a little. You don't have to feed them daily, weekly would actually be fine, that's what I did. Or bi-weekly depending on the amount or your timing. They require very little care and are inexpensive (at least as far as properly caring for a lizard goes). 10-20long tank, heat lamp, sand and a hiding spot. You must watch out how you handle them, it is possible for them to lose their tail and it takes a while for it to grow back and it makes caring for it much harder. That's pretty much it.

#2. More expensive, more care. Very cool! The Bearded Dragon is one of my favorites but I would wait a few years for it. They are very smart and can be trained to stay on your shoulder. They are more active and more fun to watch then a leopard gecko though I think the gecko wins on the "cute" side. They eat live crickets as well as fruits and veggies. They will eat right out of your hand!! They are more durable then the gecko. Price is big. The Dragon gets to be about a foot long in size (without losing temperment and it takes a while). A 20 long min is what you should get to start with. You need sand and a heat lamp and the ever pricy UV light that NEEDS to be on for half the day. They also like a nice stick of rock to bask under that light with and a cooler part of the tank for water. Very fun, very educational and I had to throw it in there. I think you would enjoy one as much as he. Get over the cricket thing.

EDIT: sorry I had to. Please don't get an anole. They die quick and you can't touch them. You might even lose it. Don't get a chamelion unless you are willing to commit and pay. This is all my opinion of course but it is not all bull.

Answer 2

I think that the best beginner pets for a first starter would be either a Leopard Gecko or a Bearded Dragon. Or if you feel really exotic A Spiny Tailed Monitor. Leopard Geckos are easily affordable these days and come in a wide variety of colours and patterns. As far as I know they do not live up to 30 years. Probably more around 15 - 20. The oldest I've seen was 24 and there is a video of it on youtube. Like I said though, Spiny Tailed Monitors or 'Ackies' are a nice alternative to Bearded Dragons. They grow to around the same size and have very similar requirements as they're from the same country. Be sure to read up on whatever you choose as much as possible before you buy. You cannot go wrong then :) Good Luck with your choice.

Answer 3

yeah leopard geckos are awesome!

Ok so since they are actually native to afghanistan, they do best with a gritty sand for the bottom of the tank. Make sure there is room for it to grow (they get to be 5-6 inches long) and a source of clean water.

They eat live crickets and mealworms, whichever you have access to. If the crickets are too big, they will not get eaten.

Crickets should be kept in a separate small cage with some fresh chopped up carrots (these will mold if they don't get taken out and replaced nearly every day), a very shallow water pool, and maybe even some cricket vitamins sprinkled around. (1 bottle lasts a long time, like 2 years, and you can get it at the pet store). They will eat eachother if they don't have enough room or if they don't have any food.

I've never fed my gecko mealworms so I don't know anything special about them.

Leopards also need a heating rock or pad and they like a heat lamp even better! there are special reptile heat lamps that are good for geckos, but whatever you can afford will work.

Leopard geckos like having a rock or piece of wood to hide under or inside, it makes them feel safe when they are resting. It is a good idea to put the heating pad inside the house for them so they can stay warm while resting.

Your gecko will release its tail if it gets grabbed or if you pull on it, so be careful not to frighten it in this way. Our gecko hasn't ever done it, and it got caught by the cat once, but it got quite a fright.

More stuff: as it grows, and even after, the gecko will shed its skin about once a week. Don't take the skin out when you see it, because the gecko will eat it and get nutrients. It is a good idea to mist the tank with a spray bottle when the gecko is molting so that the skin sheds easily.

Also, don't tear off the tiny remnants of the old skin that stick to the toes long after the shed. The gecko will get them off when it is ready to, and you can hurt it if you rip the skin off too early.

Well that's some of the stuff I know about geckos, I hope it helps.

Answer 4

I would call your local pet store. Make sure you talk with the person that actually takes care of the animals though. Most lizards eat live food. Crickets are no big deal, the are cheap and easy, make sure you dust them vitamins. The most important thing to remember when you get a baby reptile is to hold it frequently, so when it grows bigger it will be easier to handle.

Answer 5

Go for the leopard gecko! I have a 4 1/2 year old female and she is the sweetest thing in the world. I work at a daycare with 6-9 year olds and took her in for the class pet for the summer. They love her! Make sure you get an older one, juveniles are a little squirmy and a little more aggressive but once they're a little older they're very calm and very laid back. Plus, my kids like when I feed her crickets and love to watch her eat!

Answer 6

It may need live bait but a green anole is probably the easiest to take care of and your four year old can help by misting the tank and turning the light on every morning

Answer 7

The smallest one you can find is best. You probably want to get frogs. My kids love them! Four may be a little yuoung, beut frogs are fun and easy to take care of. I recommend waiting and try getting one when he's willing. Frogs do eat live crickets, but I remember watching the kids laughed as they bounced around in their stomachs! GOODL UCK!

Answer 8

Research, research, research!!!
My parents wanted to buy my young son a lizard, but I had heard that some of them carry a bacteria that can be deadly to children under the age of ten.
Be an educated buyer!!!

Answer 9

I reccommend a green anole. They are relatively cheap (I got mine for $7). They aren't agressive and rarely bite, as far as I know. I've had them for years and have never been bitten once. I don't think you need to give them live food, but it would be better. I give them one or two live crickets a day and some fruit/lettuce every 2 weeks or so..

Answer 10

Anoles, I had a bunch when i was younger. Cant really play with em but they are fun to watch and feed. And they dont stink like a bigger one