Good lizard for kids?

[Arachnobrian]

After seeing some of my reptile and tarantula enclosures, a good friend is asking if I could set up a reptile enclosure for her kids. She seems determined that a chameleon is the lizard for them, however after reading several care sheets I understand this is a bad choice for a novice, even if the enclosure is set up properly.

I consider my herp skills arround intermediate level and would not consider a chameleon myself just yet. In the future perhaps.

The reptile criteria:
- able to be held by children, not too defensive
- not to speedy quick
- visible for all to see in enclosure (not a burrower)
- simple diet
- 10 - 20 gal. enclosure limitations

I tried to suggest an anole but they are a little quick and tiny for small hands, others I am trying to suggest are bearded dragon, and several of the gecko species.

Does anybody have a really good beginner reptile for a child (about 8 ) that meets the criteria.

[Scorpendra]

i suggest a leopard gecko. they are an excellent beginner species (in my own experience). several inches max, crickets and mealworms....

and i advise against a chameleon. i had two before i was skilled enough. both died within days.

i persoanally prefer amphibians over reptiles *cough*typhlonectes*cough*, but a leo is a wise choice for an early lizard.

[skinheaddave]

With the 20 gallon enclosure limitation, bearded dragons are not an option. One of the gecko species (leopard, fat-tail, crested) is probably your best bet.

Cheers,
Dave

[pitbulllady]

Uromastyx will also do well in a smaller enclosure, being a slower-moving, more sedate species. They will eat just about anything, including a lot of vegetables, and I have NEVER seen one even threaten to bite. Their main drawback is that they do require very high basking temps of over 100 degrees F., though. Leopard geckos, Fat-tailed geckos and Crested geckos are all nice beginner lizards, though most geckos are not as amenable to handling as Bearded Dragons and Uro's. Another lizard to consider, which is also a calm semi-vegitarian, is the Plated Lizard, but they, too, need a pretty high basking temp.

pitbulllady

[DavidBeard]

Stay faaaaaaaar away from Chameleons lol. They require very specific care and stress VERY easily. They are a high maintenance lizard and are not for beginners.

A Leopard Gecko would be good because they are easy to care for, inexpensive and come in a variety of color morphs, but keep in mind that babies can be very skittish and are not easily handled by small children.

I think a 'look but don't touch' approach would be best when small children are involved.

[moricollins]

Pictus geckos (paroedura picta) are another good, hardy gecko choice.

[chris73]

Lift your cage size limitations and get a Blue Tongue Skink. You won't regret it. Leo's are wonderful, and I have WAAAY too many, but a Blue Tongue is a much better animal to handle. They are large enough not to be so delicate as a Leo and samll enough not to be intimidating.

[Arachnobrian]

How big of an enclosure would be required for a bearded dragon?
I was originally staying in the 10 - 20 gal. size, but can possibly go bigger if need be.

Kids will be kids, and a pet is a pet (unless it's fish) they want to hold it, touch it, pet it, ..............

Every time kids see my pet enclosures, one of the first questions is, do you hold it? Can I hold it? ..............Sound familiar?

So, I would assume if this is for my friends kid, it would not be a "view only" pet, so any reptile which can tolerate handling would be ideal.


BTW - All my critters are strictly "veiw only".

[chris73]

In my experience Beardeds are not good beginner animals. They are much higher maintance than newbie herpers would be ready for. Which after reconsideration, my Blue Tongue idea is off the mark. Not that they aren't all great animals mind you!

[Trace]

Beardeds wouldn't be too bad of an idea. Maybe go with a 40 gallon breeder tank. They need a relatively high basking site, upwards of 100F. I would try and stay away from any tiny babies though, they are a lot more delicate and wouldn't be too suitable for kids. Just get a book on whatever you get.

[Arachnobrian]

A book will definetly be a part of the shopping list.

I still think an anole would make an ideal first reptile if handling was not a necessity.

[mo_2]

I am a reptile hobbiest and have noticed this trend. As reptiles become more popular, they are begining to become like puppies and kittens where they are bought as a "new toy" for the kids. I am not in any way saying that this is the situation with your friends as many wonderful and experianced herpers started very young. I just want to make sure that your friend is aware that the animals needs come before the childs wants. leopards are good for handling but any more than 20 minutes a day could stress them to the point of death. chameleons are worse for stress levels. I saw Skinks, beardies and uros mentioned, the beardie would be my choice because of their "affectionate" nature. I have affectionate in quotes because I don't want to start a debate but I do find the beardies are very willing to accept attention. please though, don't let your friend get a new "toy" I have watched too many reptiles die this way.

[chris73]

Originally Posted by mo_2

I am a reptile hobbiest and have noticed this trend. As reptiles become more popular, they are begining to become like puppies and kittens where they are bought as a "new toy" for the kids. I am not in any way saying that this is the situation with your friends as many wonderful and experianced herpers started very young. I just want to make sure that your friend is aware that the animals needs come before the childs wants. leopards are good for handling but any more than 20 minutes a day could stress them to the point of death. chameleons are worse for stress levels. I saw Skinks, beardies and uros mentioned, the beardie would be my choice because of their "affectionate" nature. I have affectionate in quotes because I don't want to start a debate but I do find the beardies are very willing to accept attention. please though, don't let your friend get a new "toy" I have watched too many reptiles die this way.

The sheer fact that this person was ASKING implies that they are not looking for a disposable pet.

[Arachnobrian]

Before I set up anything, this kid and mother will have to surf and read any info. about whichever reptile they get.

I also hope this is not like a my "first fish aquarium" scenerio, where it gets set up, months later with no maintenance the fish die and the aqurium ends up in a garage sale. Sound familiar??

To avoid this, I will try to keep the enclosure on the elaborate pricey side, so it becomes part of the houses decor with a bit of an investment involved. Less chance of losing interest in something that looks good and cost lots.

Perhaps, realizing the amount of time and money I put into correctly setting up an enclosure ( I have over $200.00 invested in my $10.00 green anoles enclosure) may scare them into realizing that exotics are not for everyone.

Being a herp, I would hate to see any harm come to any repitle because of poor care or insufficient environment.

[Schlyne]

While crested geckos are a good beginner species, I have own a few that are extremely skittish, and they tend to be very skittish as babies. This may not be the easier for children (depending on age) to start out with. Crested geckos also do not grow back their tails, so there may be 'MOMMY, it's tail fell off!" incident. I would lean toward the bearded dragon myself. They get a good nice size, have lots of "personality" and other than needing lots of insects are fairly easy to take care of. Uro's are probably going to get much bigger than your friend wants. I've never taken care of a leo or a fat-tail, but they are typically recommended as a beginner species.

Also, since crested geckos are arobreal, they will not hestitate to make a leap off your hand and onto the floor, or run up onto your back where you cannot reach...etc.