what is the best pet for my 8 year old son a snake or a chameleon?

Answer 1

Get a snake- without a doubt. Chameleons as people above have mentioned, cost loads, are not sociable really. You can't even see them half the time!! They're very fragile, and only really make good pets for reptile enthusiasts.
Corn snakes make wonderful pets. They like being held, feed easily, do not get stressed or afraid of you generally, and come in many, many beautiful morphs (colours and patterns)
If possible, get a rescue, or one from the classified- an adult. That way you son can enjoy holding it more from the start. Babies are quick, tiny, and have yet to be tamed. You'd also have to buy a bigger house for it as it grows.
Another very similalar snake is the rat snake. But is less common. Milk , garter and possibly king snakes (although not really for kids) are good first snakes.
Corns are easy to get hold of though and cheap.


------Can I just add to all the people who are unknowledgeable enough to say snakes are dangerous- that is not always the case. Corn snakes rarely, if EVER bite. I have never held one that bites, or even heard of an aggressive one. They are non- venomous anyway, so a bite would cause only pain. And they're quite small. Besides- it WON'T happen! Snakes are not 'prone,' to biting, and corn snakes are the least 'prone to biting,' snake that ever lived!!- and I am sure your son is perfectly capable of holding the snake properly. All u have to do is just pick it up?!
I recommended an adult for you since they will probably be tamer than a new baby to mak it an even safer pet.
They are only fed once a week, cleaned out maybe once a month- so how anyone can say they're high maintenance I do not know. They are probably the lowest maintenance pet there is- apart from fish perhaps. Most of the time they're just sitting under a piece of wood doing nothing.
I am an animal care student, who has learnt about exotics. I have held a chameleon- it was the most fragile little thing ever. There was nothing particularly 'fun' about it, unlike snakes, which are very interesting to feel sliding through your hands. You have to give chameleons large, tall enclosures with branches and small trees in, so they can climb- u often lose them in it and can't see them. They are 'arboreal,' and HAVE to climb to live happily. Corns however are happy in a £80- £100 viv, just under a metre long and 30cm wide. A heat mat, and a few other bits and bobs and they're sorted- u don't even need light if u don't want it, since they are nocturnal snakes.
Corn snakes are by FAR better pets for a child of 8, or any age. I would confidently have my corn sliding over a baby- not because I'm mad, because it really is true- as any keeper will tell u- they are SAFE!!

Answer 2

unfortuantely i wouldn't chose either for an 8 year old. snakes can be dangerous and aggressive if not handled properly which could lead to accidents and many bites which would not be ideal for your child. he would need to be constantly supervised when handling a snake. They arn't cuddly and affectionate like cats or dogs and don't respnd well to excessive handling. You would propbably need to clean the cage every 2-4 weeks and make sure the water is changed every day. They also need specific temperature and humidity levels which need to be maintained.

A chameleon is a great reptile to watch but they are so easily stressed. Even if your boy taps the glass, they can have a heart attack and die. They require extreme care and gentle looking after including constant misting. They need to be kept in very quite conditions...not the best for an excited 8 year old. My husband wanted one and after looking into it he even decided it was too much care and as he plays a musical instrument, we thought this wouldn't be very good for a little chameleon who requires peace and quiet.

If he really wants a pet, get something that isn't dangerous to handle or doesn't need too much specific needs. You can always consider a reptile when he's much older.

Don't mean to sound negative but reptiles are really a great deal harder to care for then most people think and their needs need to be researched.

Hope this helps x

Answer 3

Neither but if I had to choose... probably the snake.

It is not because I prefer snakes.... I prefer chameleons, but not for an 8 year old. Chameleons are complicated (don't know about snakes because I don't own one!). Chameleons do not enjoy being handled but I've heard that some snakes do.

One thing is for sure though.... chameleons do not camouflage or become 'invisible' though LOL that's what I used to think when I was a kid! They change colour, yes, but they don't go green when they are on a green surface! They are very easy to spot.

Answer 4

Im not real sure why some of these people feel the way they do. I have a 11 year old who has been animal planet, and animal crazy since the day he got here. We have 2 Ball Pythons and 3 Red Tail Boas that are better pets than dogs or cats in my opinion and when we first got them my son knew more about them than we did. I would say it depends on your son. You know him and what his intrest are. He would probably be able to handle the snake more, depending what kind of snake it is. Start with a small Ball Python or Corn Snake

Answer 5

There are some snakes that stay small and are easy to keep. They require less care than a chameleon. And many snakes are cheaper to feed, house, heat, etc than a chameleon.

So, unless money is no object, you have a very dedicated son as far as pet care goes, or you are willing to supervise and step in as needed...I'd go with a snake. Probably a corn snake, they are pretty simple to care for.

Answer 6

a small snake like a garter or a corn snake would be most ideally suited, chameleons are more suited to experienced reptile owners and shouldn't really be handled. snakes are very easy to keep, don't require a specialised diet and your son would have a great pet to play with

Answer 7

We got a royal python as a first snake for our kids,she is absolutely beautiful,we have had her since she was 10 months old and she has been a delight,she is very tame and easy to look after,feeds regularly ( you should check this out with your pet shop as not all baby snakes feed readily,best to make sure you get one that does) and has been totally problem free.Lizardwise we have geckos and bearded dragons which have also been problem free and a good choice. Best thing to do is get to know your local exotic pet shop, they are an invaluable source of advice! Good luck.

Answer 8

Between those two, definitely the snake. Go for a corn snake. Even "normals" are beautiful in coloration. They can handle a little "abandonement," preferring to be hiding in a hole all day, and it will be long-lived with good care.

The chameleon will require expensive enclosures and care, only to live about 5-8 yrs. And, it will not show the myth of camouflaging to blend against any background...

Answer 9

At 8 neither one is advisable. Chameleons are very "high maintenance" and they can be expensive to keep. They take a lot of time and attention and not for an inexperienced adult much less a child. As for snakes they too take a lot of time and they need daily attention. I cannot in good conscience recommend either to a young child.

Answer 10

Neither! But if you insist on a reptile, a snake is far better. Easier to care for and feed. A snake only has to be fed once a week, and it's cage cleaned only about once a week. They are quite, clean, and gentle (if you get the right species) and easy to house. I'd recommend a captive raised corn snake.
At his age I think a better pet would be a mouse, a rat, or a Hamster. Small mammals make better pets to start a child on than reptiles.