So your child is asking for a pet, but you’re not quite ready to dive into the world of dogs or cats. This might be the perfect time to explore the best reptile pets for kids.
Reptiles are often overlooked, but many species are low-maintenance, easy to care for, and surprisingly kid-friendly.
In this post, we’ll take a look at good reptile pets for kids and why they’re some of the best low-maintenance pets for young animal lovers.
Why Low-Maintenance Pets for Kids Are a Good Option
Low-maintenance pets are a smart choice for kids because they make it easier to learn responsibility without feeling overwhelmed.
With fewer daily tasks like constant feeding, exercise, or grooming, children can still enjoy the experience of pet ownership.
These types of pets are also ideal for families with limited space or busy routines, making them a practical fit for many households.
Popular Pet Reptiles and Best Reptile Pets
So here is a list of the most popular pet reptiles for kids. From bearded dragons to crested geckos to a pet lizard.
There are plenty of kid friendly reptiles to choose from.
- Crested Gecko
- Bearded Dragon
- Russian Tortoise
- Box Turtles
- Box Ear Slider
- Leopard Gecko
- Corn Snake
- Garter Snakes
- Ball Pythons
- Chameleons
- Green Iguana
Gecko Pets for Kids
Leopard Gecko
Leopard geckos are one of the best reptile pets for kids.
They’re low-maintenance, easy to handle, and don’t require a complex setup.
With the right care, they can live for many years, making them a long-term companion.
Their calm nature and tolerance to handling make them especially well-suited for young children.
Plus, their colorful patterns add to their appeal.
Crested Gecko
Crested geckos are another great option for kids, especially first-time reptile owners.
These geckos are known for their charming crests, gentle personalities, and low care needs.
They thrive in enclosures with live plants and climbing branches thanks to their sticky toe pads, which allow them to scale surfaces with ease.
Crested geckos eat a mix of fruit and small insects, making their diet simple to manage.
Their hardy nature makes them forgiving of beginner mistakes and a favorite among families.
Bearded Dragon Pets for Kids
Bearded dragons are a popular reptile pet for kids, especially those ready for a little more responsibility.
These lizards have a gentle, friendly nature and are known for their curious personalities.
With proper care, they can live for several years, making them a rewarding long-term companion.
One of the reasons bearded dragons are considered good pets for kids is their calm temperament.
They’re interactive and enjoy being handled, often showing fun behaviors like arm waving and head bobbing.
These little quirks make them engaging and entertaining to watch.
Bearded dragons have a simple diet that includes insects, leafy greens, vegetables, and the occasional small rodent.
A calcium supplement is usually recommended, as they can be prone to metabolic bone disease without proper nutrition.
Overall, bearded dragons are one of the best reptile pets for kids.
They’re relatively easy to care for, adapt well to their environment, and offer just the right balance of interaction and independence.
Blue Tongue Skinks
Blue tongue skinks are another excellent reptile pet for kids.
They have a calm, easygoing temperament and tend to be more interactive than many other reptiles.
This makes them a great option for families looking for a pet that’s both low-maintenance and engaging.
These skinks are easily recognizable by their signature blue tongues and broad, brownish-gray bodies.
Their diet includes leafy greens, fruits, insects, and occasionally small rodents, making them relatively simple to feed.
With proper care, blue tongue skinks can thrive and become a favorite in any household.
Other Lizards as Pets for Kids
While bearded dragons are often the go-to choice, there are other hardy lizards that make great pets for kids.
Hardy lizards tend to be more forgiving of beginner mistakes, adapt well to life in captivity, and don’t require highly specialized care.
These qualities make them ideal for young or first-time reptile owners looking for a manageable and rewarding pet.
Turtle and Tortoise Pets for Kids
If your child is looking for a reptile with a calm, slow-paced personality, a turtle or tortoise might be the ideal choice.
These gentle reptiles are relatively low-maintenance and can live for decades, making them a long-term companion and a great fit for families seeking a steady, easygoing pet.
The Russian Tortoise
The Russian tortoise is a popular pick for kids thanks to its small size, simple care needs, and unique look.
With a high-domed shell and short, sturdy legs, they’re both charming and easy to recognize.
These tortoises thrive in captivity and can live up to 50 years with the right care.
Their diet mainly consists of leafy greens, vegetables, and occasional fruit, which makes feeding straightforward.
Russian tortoises also do well in outdoor enclosures, giving kids the chance to observe their natural behaviors in a secure and enriching environment.
They make excellent family pets and can usually be found at reputable pet stores or through breeders.
Calm, hardy, and fascinating to watch, Russian tortoises are a wonderful introduction to reptile ownership for children.
Box Turtles
Box turtles are another great reptile pet for kids, especially for families looking for a low-maintenance animal with a long lifespan.
With proper care, box turtles can live for several decades, making them a lasting companion.
One of the things that makes box turtles unique is their hinged shell, which allows them to close completely when they feel threatened—a fascinating trait for kids to observe.
They enjoy a varied diet of leafy greens, fruits, and insects, which is easy to manage with the right guidance.
Although they are relatively easy to care for, box turtles do have specific housing and temperature requirements.
It's important to do your research and set up their habitat properly before bringing one home.
With the right setup and care, box turtles can be a calm, interesting addition to your child’s reptile experience.
Red-Eared Slider
The red-eared slider is a popular turtle choice for kids and one of the most common turtles found in the pet trade.
With proper care, these turtles can live up to 40 years, offering a long-term, rewarding pet experience for families.
They’re known for their vibrant green shells and distinctive red markings near their ears, which make them easy to identify and visually appealing to children.
Red-eared sliders are generally healthy animals with few major health concerns, and they’re fairly easy to care for with a well-maintained aquatic setup.
These turtles are a safe and gentle option for kids.
Their calm nature, minimal care needs, and interactive habits make them a great first pet, especially for families with busy schedules or those new to reptile ownership.
Snakes as Pets for Kids
Snakes can make excellent reptile pets for children, especially when you choose the right species.
It’s important to do thorough research and select a non-venomous, beginner-friendly snake that’s easy to care for and handle.
Species like corn snakes and garter snakes are ideal for kids. They have calm temperaments, manageable sizes, and relatively simple care needs compared to other reptiles.
However, snakes do require specific housing, including proper heating, humidity, and in some cases, UV lighting.
Feeding can also be a consideration—young snakes typically eat live or frozen-thawed prey such as mice, so families should be comfortable with this aspect of care before bringing one home.
Baby Corn Snakes
Corn snakes are a popular choice for first-time reptile owners, especially kids.
Known for their docile nature and striking appearance, corn snakes are easy to handle and thrive with consistent care.
They come in a wide range of color morphs, which adds to their appeal.
With proper care, corn snakes can live up to 20 years.
As they grow, they can reach up to five feet in length, making them a great option for children who want a pet that matures with them.
They feed primarily on rodents and adapt well to life in captivity, making them one of the most recommended pet snakes for beginners.
Garter Snakes
Garter snakes are another excellent beginner-friendly snake for kids.
They are non-venomous, easy to care for, and typically have calm temperaments, making them well-suited for handling by young reptile enthusiasts.
These snakes stay relatively small and can live up to 10 years in captivity with proper care.
Garter snakes eat small rodents and sometimes fish or worms, depending on the individual.
They also come in a variety of attractive color patterns, adding visual interest to their low-maintenance nature.
For families looking for a manageable, gentle pet snake, garter snakes are a great option.
Ball Pythons
Ball pythons are a popular choice for beginner snake owners, especially for older kids ready to take on a bit more responsibility.
They are known for their gentle nature, manageable size, and striking variety of color morphs.
With proper care, ball pythons can live up to 20 years in captivity.
Like most reptiles, ball pythons require specific housing conditions to stay healthy.
This includes maintaining the right humidity levels, providing a warm environment, and offering secure hiding spots.
With a little setup and consistent care, ball pythons can be calm, fascinating pets that are well-suited for families new to snake ownership.
Reticulated Pythons Do Not Make Good Pets
Reticulated pythons are among the largest snake species in the world, with some reaching lengths of 20 feet or more.
Due to their massive size and unpredictable nature, they are not suitable for children or beginner snake owners.
These snakes require highly specialized care, including a very large enclosure, strict temperature and humidity control, and a diet of larger prey such as rats or rabbits.
While they can be fascinating to observe, their strength and potential for aggression make them a poor choice for families or first-time reptile keepers.
Reticulated pythons are best left to experienced handlers with the space and knowledge to care for them properly.
Chameleons - Best Reptile Pets
Chameleons can be a fascinating pet choice for kids, especially those who have some experience with reptiles.
While they’re not the best option for frequent handling, older children who enjoy observing animals and caring for them gently may appreciate a chameleon’s unique traits.
These colorful lizards are known for their ability to change colors, their independently moving eyes, and their slow, deliberate movements.
They come in a range of sizes and require a carefully maintained habitat with proper humidity and temperature levels.
With the right setup and gentle care, chameleons can be a rewarding and visually captivating pet.
Green Iguanas - Best Reptile Pets
Green iguanas can make impressive and engaging reptile pets for kids, but they do require a lot of research and preparation.
These large lizards can grow up to six feet in length and need a spacious, well-maintained enclosure to thrive.
While iguanas are herbivores and generally calm, they can be challenging to handle and are better suited for older children or families with prior reptile experience.
With the right care, commitment, and space, a green iguana can become a fascinating and long-lasting companion.
Friendly Pets for Kids
When choosing a reptile for your child, it's important to pick one with a calm and friendly temperament.
Some reptiles are more social and easier to handle than others, making them a better fit for younger pet owners.
One of the top choices for a low-maintenance and kid-friendly reptile is the bearded dragon.
These lizards are known for enjoying attention and are generally easy to handle with the right care and gentle approach.
If a lizard isn’t what you're looking for, there are plenty of other reptile options to consider.
Just make sure to understand the specific care needs of any species before making a commitment.
A well-researched choice leads to a happier pet and a better experience for your family.
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