present for 9 year old?

Question

my grandaughter asked me to buy her a corn snake for christmas but my daughter in law is terrified of them any suggestions for a pet she has a rabbit and a hampster does anybody know how much baby turtles are and would they be suitable

Answer 1

Do you mean turtle or do you mean tortoise? Its just people often confuse the two and a tortoise seems more like a corn snake... Tortoises are very expensive to buy and to maintain.

I wouldn't advise buying her another pet... the fact that she doesn't mind which pet she gets is a bad sign to me... if she wants a cornsnake, get her a cornsnake or no pet.

Getting her one she didn't ask for will just risk her not being interested in it and being neglectful.

Also she is only 9 and already has a lot of responsibility with a rabbit and a hamster.

Couldn't you buy her something to do with these pets to increase her interest in them?

Maybe a huge rabbit run? Maybe a hamster tunnel maze? Maybe some books about the different types so she can learn about them in depth?

Answer 2

A 9 year old is not old enough to have a pet and to hold interest in it enough to care for it properly... the parents should also want the pet and they should be prepared to take on all responsibility for care, especially since any kind of reptile carries salmonella and can make a child sick (or possible die) if they don't wash their hands after handling it, so all handling must be supervised. Also whatever the pet is, if it needs veterinary care or supplies or food, it's the parents responsibility to make sure that this is provided. Pretty much, any pet that you get for a child that young is really going to be the responsibility of the parent, so it should be up to them. If mom says no corn snake, then... she should just wait until she's old enough to take care of it herself.

Answer 3

Why not ask your daughter in law what she thinks. If your granddaughter is 9 odds are good mom is at the very least "helping" to care for all those pets. Maybe they have enough, or maybe there is one they are really looking forward to getting - who knows. But I'd say you're best bet is to ask "Mom".
You might also consider some cool new accessories for her current pets. A rabbit leash, hampster toys, etc... Good Luck!

Answer 4

Turtles are messy as hell and expensive to maintain. You can't play with them, so they aren't something a 9 year old will likely enjoy. Baby turtles are actually illegal to sell. They also have a high mortality rate.

You need a 15 gallon tank to start, a water filter, a basking spot, a heat lamp, a UVB light, and a digital thermometer and water heater.

A green anole is a junk reptile as a pet. You cannot handle them, they tend to be wild caught and infested with parasites and die quickly. They also need a heat light and a UVB light as well as tropical humidity levels and moving water. Not really worth the trouble.

If she is interested in lizards, talk to your daughter in law about the possibility of getting a leopard gecko, or perhaps a crested gecko.

Answer 5

don't go with a turtle, they stink!!

and it's way too hard for a 9 year old to keep their home clean.

I would go with an anole. they're about 10 dollars to buy and about 2 of them can live in a small 10 gallon terrarium. they are great starter reptiles.

or if you want to get her something that will last a VERY long time, then you should go with a tortoise.
they live for over 50 years and eat the weeds right out of your garden, much better than feeding live crickets or rodents.

Answer 6

I'd suggest as it's your daughter in law who will be doing most if not all the care, you consult her.
A 9 year old is far too young to understand the responsibilites any animal needs.
I'd also suggest if you do buy her a pet also buy her a book about the animal, and the housing and other essential equipment it needs.
It's unfair to just get the animal and expect her parents to provide for it.
for the turtles requirements see the following http://www.reptileexpert.co.uk/KeepingAquaticTurtlesAsPets.html

Personally I'd be very very angry if my childrens grandparents had bought them a pet!

Answer 7

i would consult with her mother as many people said, but i see your going for something more exotic, unlike hamsters and rabbits. Now, cornsnakes, are probably the best beginner snake, maybe your could do a little researc on them and convince her mom to let her hve one. I would also consider a bearded dragon, which makes a great pet. they are extremely friendly and easy to care for, another great beginner pet. i personally don't like turtles, but they do make okay pets but can become boring.

Answer 8

I really don't think buying animals for presents is a good idea, it might be what she wants now but will she still be so happy to care for it when the novelty has worn off? getting a new pet is a decision the whole family have to make together, her parents will probably end up looking after it anyway so you have to ask for their opinions at the very least let them help to decide if a new pet is a good idea and if so what pet.

Answer 9

9 twelve months previous females are into diverse stuff than 2 many years in the past. something digital, does she have a gameboy? video games are continually effective with any infant presently. MP3 participant - you may get them as decrease priced as 19.ninety 9 communicate together with her mom and ask her what she's into authentic now, probability is this is Hannah montana. a effective fuzzy Hannah blankie may be stable for the drawing near iciness months. i might stay faraway from the tinkerbell and princess products, it quite is a splash babyish for 9.

Answer 10

Turtles are NOT cheap and easy to care for. They need very large tanks, heat bulbs, UVB lighting, water filters, water heaters, varied diet, frequent water changes, etc. They are a lot of work. Check out the care page below for more info. Most reptiles have very specific heating, lighting, caging and diet requirements and should be kept by dedicated and commited owners willing to put the time, energy, and money into proper care. Carefully research any animal before purchasing it to see if all needs can be met--if so, they can be wonderful to own. It is also important to realize that reptiles are not the types of pets one plays with, but rather cares for and appreciates.
http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/