I must admit when I hear a parent say they are getting a reptile for their son/daughter my first reaction is to cringe. Now, saying that, there are responsible parents (and mature kids) and I do not want to dissuade people from getting reptiles for their children as certain species are wonderful “easy” pets and can help introduce children to reptiles in a way that teaches them not to be afraid just because these animals have scales versus fur. My main concern focuses on the true caretaker of the animal as it should never, ever be the child’s sole responsibility.
Children (especially under the age of 16) often do not have the full financial ability to care for a reptile especially if the animal becomes sick and requires a vet visit. Encouraging your child to get a job (if legally able to do so) or do work for neighbors to help assist paying for the animal’s food or accessories is a wonderful way to teach responsibility but expecting a child to always have enough money to buy food (especially for those who require a lot like baby bearded dragons that need live feeders provided 2-3 times a day) or other necessities often results in the animal suffering and may inadvertently teach the child that this sort of treatment towards animals is acceptable. The parent(s) should prepare to step in when needed to assure the reptile gets what it needs.
Continuing what reptiles need, parents and their children should research what their new pet will need before they bring the animal home. This can be a bonding experience and helps make sure that everyone that will be involved in caring for the animal will know how to do so and help keep the animal happy and healthy. Children often have short attention spans (to be fair, I still do as an “adult”) so expecting them to thoroughly understand topics like lighting, humidity, temps, and feeding should come with the assistance of an adult who can explain some of the items in more basic terms then what you would often find in a care sheet.
Once the reptile is home, parent(s) should monitor and help guide their children on how to handle the animal especially if the child is younger such as 2 or 3 years old when their full motor skills haven’t kicked in completely yet. Similar to teaching a child how to pet a dog properly, a child should be taught how to best hold their reptile to try to minimize anything happening to the reptile or the child. For those with younger children, the enclosure should be secured so they cannot get into it without an adult’s assistance.
Owning a reptile can be an enriching experience for a child with parent(s)’ help. For those considering adding a reptile to their home and want to involve their child(ren) in the care of the animal I would suggest researching the following species –
*Leopard Geckos
*Bearded Dragons
*Crested Geckos (older children as they tend to be jumpy)
*Gargoyle Geckos (older children as they tend to be jumpy)
*Corn Snake
*Ball Python
*Blue Tongue Skink
*Leopard Geckos
*Bearded Dragons
*Crested Geckos (older children as they tend to be jumpy)
*Gargoyle Geckos (older children as they tend to be jumpy)
*Corn Snake
*Ball Python
*Blue Tongue Skink
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