My son is 7 years old and he wants a snake or a lizard as a pet. I've heard that they can be hard to take care of. I want something he can primarily take care of himself, not something that his father and I will have to do all the work for.
Any suggestions?
2007-12-25 06:18:57 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Reptiles
lizard would not last as long as a snake. Better off with a baby python. Chuck a mouse in every week and the snake pretty much takes care of itself.
2007-12-25 06:23:06 · answer #1 · answered by tootuncommon69 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
If you Don't want to take care of it do not get something that has to eat every day, or has to have a mixed diet, because unless you keep up with your son to do this EVERY day, not just when you remember to tell him, to do it. you will have a sick reptile in no time and it wont be a good experience for you. And a turtle is definitely the wrong way to go, because even with a filter the tank has to be cleaned out weekly at the very least, and the filter will probably need to be cleaned a couple times a week. If you must get him a reptile go with the ball python, and make sure you set up the cage the right way with a under the tank heat pad, a hide box and a water dish, you can use newspaper for substrate, yeah its not visually appealing but its cheap and easy to get, usually a lot easier than running to the pet store, just cut it to fit the cage and the snake will have a hard time getting under it to hide and it gives him access to the heat pad without 2 inches of mulch or aspen to try and get heat thru. Wood does not conduct heat well. Good luck with whatever you decide on buts snakes are easiest , feed them once a week and clean the cage once a week and make sure they have fresh water that's it.
2007-12-25 14:48:17 · answer #2 · answered by rstymtlhd 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Depends on how responsible the child is. (:
I wouldn't suggest getting an iguana at all. They'll live forever, and can get over 5 feet long. They require a gigantic tank.
Geckos can be pretty good and hardy, but they need the right environment constantly, which can be a problem.
Anoles are a quick fix- they'll live about 2-3 years on average, and don't need any heat source with the exception of a lamp, even in winter. Although they aren't the most friendly things, they're very appropriate for children, especially since they're cheap and low-maintenance.
I don't suggest getting a snake unless you want to go out and catch a Gardner. Anything else will be a lot of work to take care of.
Good luck (:
2007-12-25 16:58:33 · answer #3 · answered by subtleanarchy 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
For a snake I would recommend a corn snake. The down side is they eat live mice. The upside is that they only need to be fed once every two week. Youngsters are harder to take care of and start on pinkies. Once they graduate to live mice they are easier. Check with a local herper for the size of aguarium you will need. Also you will need a heat pad, lamp, and something to hide in. Go to a reptile store, not a pet store for help.
For a lizard bearded dragons are a good pet. They eat crickets and meal worms-live preferably. The set up is pretty much the same as a corn snake.
Lifespan of a corn snake is about 12-15 years, bearded dragons about 5-7 yrs. Good luck.
2007-12-25 14:28:38 · answer #4 · answered by Franklin 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
7 Might be a bit young for a reptile. They all can be hard to take care of. Some of the smaller Geckos might be good -- like leopard or house geckos. Some of the larger geckos may bite, though. My first reptile was a green anole -- they are a small lizard from the southern US (they run wild in the Gulf Coast states). The neat thing about them is that they change color from green to brown. They eat crickets, meal worms, and any little bug you might catch outside. They don't tend to last too long in captivity, though.
But like I said, he might be too young to take care of a small pet. I might end up inheriting a fire belly toad from a friend's 11 year old, because she isn't taking care of it. I suppose that is up to the individual child.
2007-12-25 23:10:21 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Eh.. dont get a turtle to much work.. dont get an iguana they get huge and if not handled enough can get kinda mean...Honestly.. if you want something nice... and that will grow with your son.. Get a Ball Python.. they in my opinion are the nicest snakes you can get.. i never heard of anyone gettin bit by one only when they're young snakes.. and that feels like a pin prick...they only get about 3-5 feet..females can reach 6 feet but thats hella rare. they arent that hard to take care of..and only cost around $50.
basically have a decent size tank. as babys you can get away with a 20 gallon tank for awhile then you might have just upgrade to a 55gallon tank over some time...but you just feed them one hopper mouse a week depending on size and girth of the snake....and thats when they're young.. when they're older you feed them 1 rat every 10-14 days.. so its really not a hard pet to take care of..just handle every day or every other day and you guys should be happy.
2007-12-26 14:59:46 · answer #6 · answered by Mirage 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't think you should give your son a reptile at all. He's only 7. I maybe underestimated what he's capable of, but he's 7. What is that? He's in 2nd or 3rd grade. He shouldn't be saying to kids in his class that's he has a reptile. It should be more like his brother has one or something. When I was 9, my brother bought an iguana. It was okay because I wasn't the one taking care of it. I'm 15 now and now is when I think I'm ready for an individual pet. The only thing my brother of parents take care of is the bill of the food and heating system.
2007-12-25 20:06:47 · answer #7 · answered by Iamzabelle 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you want something easy then you don't want a reptile. Turles need HUGE tanks, special lighting and the water has to be clean often. Lizards need specific diets, special lighting and temperatures. Snakes need heat, and really are not go pets for young children.
Reptiles are not easy and can be very expensive and need alot of attention.
2007-12-26 02:21:16 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it depends on how responsible your son is.. 7 yr olds can be very responsible.. and knowing you, yours is.
I would suggest a kingsnake for a starter reptile.. they are known to be very docile and actually like people.. corn snakes are next on my list. I don't recommend pythons, as they can be really irritable at times and are more likely to bite.
If you decide not to go with the snake, I recommend the bearded dragon. They are cute as can be, and easy to care for.
One word of caution.. all reptiles carry staph.. and with all of the new strains of resistant infections, please be careful about that. I strongly recommend that you or dad always be with him when he goes to handle his pet, and make sure he washes his hands vigorously with soap and water.
Good luck!!
2007-12-25 20:32:42 · answer #9 · answered by Kallan 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A Bearded Dragon because they are well adjusted to their owners docile, friendly, and hardy eaters. Easy to maintain I have 2 all I have to do in the winter time is make sure their still alive cause they hibernate. They eat maybe once a week. In the summertime feed on feeding them crix wax worms, meal worms and even super worms. Theres no need for misting they like bathing. Good Luck!
2007-12-26 05:08:18 · answer #10 · answered by Mille O 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋