Are Reptiles Good Pets for Kids?

If you've ever taken a kid into a pet store, you've probably heard it.

"Please! I promise I'll take care of it!"

They'll feed it, clean up after it, change the water and NEVER forget.

Yeah… we've all heard that one before.

So are reptiles actually good pets for kids?

I think they absolutely can be. But I also think there's a big difference between buying a reptile for your kid and deciding to bring a reptile into your family.

And that's something we've learned firsthand.

Every Kid Is Different

We have kids ranging from six years old all the way up to an adult with a family of her own, and every single one of them has been different when it comes to reptiles.

Our oldest never really got into reptiles the way I did. She doesn't dislike them, and she actually loved bearded dragons when she was younger, but as she got older that interest went away.

Our 19-year-old actually had several leopard geckos before I ever did. Her interest has faded some as she's gotten older and life got busier, but she still loves them.

Our 17-year-old son likes reptiles, but they aren't really his thing the way they are for some of us.

Then there's our 11-year-old.

She's reptile crazy.

She helps with our dragons and leopard geckos every day. Feeding bugs, making greens, handling them, helping with our breeding pairs… she's right there for all of it.

Honestly, she probably handles our reptiles more than I do, and most of them trust her more because of it.

Then there's our six-year-old, who still hasn't completely decided how she feels about all of this.

Some days she wants to hold them.

Other days she's like, nope, keep that thing over there.

And that's okay too.

Same family, same reptiles, five completely different kids.

That's Why Parents Have to Be Involved

This is probably the biggest thing I would tell another parent thinking about getting their child a reptile.

Kids absolutely CAN take great care of reptiles.

I've seen kids at reptile expos who could probably teach some adults a thing or two.

But kids also grow up and their interests change.

Your 10-year-old might be completely obsessed with leopard geckos today and interested in something totally different five years from now.

The gecko doesn't know that.

It's still there and still needs the same care.

And reptiles can live a surprisingly long time. A leopard gecko, for example, can potentially be with you for 15 to 20 years or even longer with proper care.

So instead of asking:

"Is my kid ready for a reptile?"

I think parents should ask:

"Are WE ready for a reptile?"

Because even if it's technically your child's pet, you need to know how to care for it too.

Know the temperatures. Know what it eats. Know what lighting it needs. Learn what normal behavior looks like.

And most importantly, be willing to take over if your child eventually loses interest.

But Reptiles Can Be Amazing for Kids

I don't want this to sound like I'm trying to talk parents out of getting their kids reptiles.

Actually, it's the opposite.

Watching our kids interact with our animals is one of my favorite parts of keeping reptiles.

They learn responsibility, but they also learn patience and curiosity.

Why does a bearded dragon need UVB?

Why is the gecko shedding?

Why does temperature matter?

What's a morph?

How does genetics work?

One question turns into ten more.

And before you know it, the kid who just wanted a cool lizard is learning biology, nutrition, genetics and animal behavior.

They also learn that animals have boundaries.

Sometimes your reptile doesn't want to be held.

Sometimes it's hiding.

Sometimes it's shedding.

And sometimes it apparently just woke up and decided it doesn't like anybody today.

Fair enough.

Learning to recognize and respect that is part of becoming a good keeper too.

So, Should You Get Your Kid a Reptile?

Maybe.

I know, great answer right?

But there really isn't one answer that fits every kid.

Research the animal together first. Make sure your child understands what's involved, but make sure you understand it too.

If your kid really gets into it, encourage them.

Take them to expos. Let them ask breeders questions. Let them help with feeding and cleaning. Let them learn.

You might end up with a kid who loses interest after a few years.

Or you might end up with an 11-year-old who handles your reptiles so much that half of them seem to like her better than you.

I got the second one.

And one of our reptiles in particular has taken that to a whole different level.

His name is Blaze. He's our blind rescue bearded dragon, and apparently he has decided our 11-year-old is the only person in this house who knows how to properly serve him dinner.

But I'll save that story for the next blog.

Coming next: Raising Kids Around Reptiles: What We've Learned

Keep learning, keep building and keep on keeping on.

AARC World Exotics