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10 year old son wants a reptile2007-11-24 1:47:04

What kind of reptile would be good for a 10 year old?

Answers:

I do reptile programs for our local libraries and children's museum. I always tell parents that either a bearded dragon or a ball python are good choices for a first reptile because they are sturdy and will tolerate alot of handling. They are also of a pretty even temperament and not liable to bite your child, and they do not harbor salmonella as most aquatic turtles do. You may prefer a bearded dragon because the only live prey it will eat is crickets, they are basically vegetarians, Both are inexpensive and do not require a great deal to set up an enclosure, a tank( with a top), a source of UV light, bedding and a water dish. You may also need to provide a heat pad during the colder months, I suggest placing it under the tank so your reptile does not injure itself.

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leopard gecko, easy to care for

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What kind of reptile are you comfortable with is more the question because even at 10 there will be times YOU will be caring for it. If he wants a snake I suggest the easiest of all beginner snakes a cornsnake. If he wants a "lizard" I always found that Iguana's are enjoyable but they do require alot of knowledge and time. Geko's are easy to care for. Turtles are cute but if you dont maintain that water boy can they smell!

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leopard gecko or bearded dragon

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leopard gheckos are good although they do eat mealworms sooo. but my friends 7 yr old brother has one or you could try a turtle their cute and they'll eat lettuce carrots stuff like that and i dont think they bite so he can hold it when he wants and even let it walk around in your yard as long as some ones watching it or maybe you could get a small frog or maybe he'd like a hermit crab i know its not a reptile but their not hard to take care of and sometimes you can buy them with painted shells which are cool. i hope this helps.

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i would go for the leopard gecko because they are hardy and are great for begginers and children and is ideal pet that takes up little space, has simple food requirements, comes in designer colors and patterns and can withstand the life dealt out by even the most absent-minded of keepers. They are excitable as babies, but harmless, and as adults they become very tame; taking food from your fingers. With a maximum adult size of 7-10" this lizard is easily handled by supervised children. But remember, their tails can breakoff (and be regrown), so make sure you never pick them up or grab them by that fleshy tail. It has a fantastic tract record and is probably the most widely kept pet lizard next to the sometimes troublesome green iguana, (Iguana iguana). Since 1992 serious breeders have developed striped, high yellow, "jungle", "ghost", and "leucistic" forms from the original wild-caught imports, which originate in Pakistan and India.