11 Best Reptile Pets for Kids
So your child wants a new pet? Why not consider a reptile? Reptiles can make great pets for kids because they require less maintenance and care than traditional furry pets such as dogs or cats. Plus, they offer unique characteristics that make them interesting and fun to observe.
Today we’ll be discussing good reptile pets for kids and the reasons the best low-maintenance pets for kids. Enjoy!
Why Low-Maintenance Pets for Kids Are a Good Option
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Low-maintenance pets are often a great option for kids because it allows them to learn about responsibility and caring for an animal without being overwhelmed with daily tasks such as feeding, exercising, and grooming. This can also be helpful for families with busy schedules or limited space.
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
First up, leopard geckos make great reptile pets for kids because they require minimal care and are not very demanding. They are also easy to handle and can live a long time with proper care.
Geckos make wonderful pets as they are quiet and gentle, making them a good choice for families with young children. They come in a variety of colors and patterns, adding to their charm.
Crested Gecko
The crested gecko is another popular pet choice for kids because they are low-maintenance and easy to care for.
Crested Geckos also have adorable crests on their head and come in a variety of colors and patterns, giving them a unique appearance. Geckos have sticky toe pads and enjoy living among live plants and climbing branches in their enclosure.
Crested geckos are great for new reptile owners as they are hardy and forgiving of mistakes made in their care. The crested gecko will eat small insects and fruit, making their diet easy to manage. Crested geckos make good pets.
Leopard Gecko
The leopard gecko is another popular pet choice for kids because they are low maintenance and docile, making them easy to handle with proper care.
Leopard geckos have a unique appearance with various color patterns and the ability to change colours with their moods.
Other geckos include the tokay gecko and the day gecko, both of which have vibrant colors and patterns. A pet lizard is a great option for kids.
Bearded Dragon Pets for Kids
Another popular pet choice for kids is the bearded dragon. These unique lizards have a personality all their own and can make great pets for kids who are ready for a bit more responsibility in caring for their reptile companion.
The bearded dragon is not very expensive and can live a long time with good care and management.
Are Beaded Dragons Good Pets for Kids?
Bearded dragon lizards make great pets for kids because they have a docile temperament, are interactive, and can live a long time with the correct care.
They also have interesting behaviours such as arm waving and head bobbing, making them a joy to
Bearded dragons are known for being friendly and curious, making them great reptile pets for kids who want some interaction with their pets.
Bearded dragon lizads eat a diet of insects, vegetables, leafy greens and occasionally small rodents. They often benefit from calcium powder. Calcium is important for bearded dragons because they are prone to metabolic bone disease, a condition where the bones become weak and break easily.
Bearded dragons make the best pet reptiles because they are relatively easy to handle and are smaller reptiles that can adapt well to their environment. They truly are the best lizards and make the best pet reptiles.
Blue Tongue Skinks
Blue tongued skinks are another good reptile pet choice for kids because they have a docile temperament and they interact quite a lot compared to other pets.
The blue tongued skink has e a unique appearance with their blue tongues and brownish-gray bodies. They enjoy a diet of leafy greens, fruits, insects, and the occasional small rodent.
Other Lizards as Pets for Kids
The best lizards for kids include bearded dragons but also hardy lizards. Hardy lizards are one of the easiest reptiles to care for as they do well in captivity and do not require as much specialized care.
Turtle and Tortoise Pets for Kids
If your child is interested in the best reptile pet with a more slow-paced personality, a turtle or tortoise might be the perfect fit.
These pets require minimal care and can live a long time, making them a good low-maintenance choice for kids.
The Russian Turtle
The Russian tortoise is a popular pet choice for kids because they are small and easy to care for. They also have a unique appearance with their high-domed shell and short, stocky legs.
Russian tortoises do well in captivity and can live up to 50 years with proper care. They enjoy a diet of leafy greens, vegetables, and some fruits.
Russian tortoises make a great family pet and reptile friend and can be found in a local pet store or through a breeder.
One of the benefits of owing Russian tortoises is that they do well in the outdoor enclosure, allowing your child to observe their natural behaviours in a safe environment.
Box Turtles
Box turtles are another good pet reptile for kids because they are low-maintenance and can live a long time with proper care.
They also have a unique appearance with their hinged shell that allows them to completely close up when threatened.
Box turtles have specific housing and temperature needs, so it’s important to do research before bringing one home to small children. The box turtle likes to eat greens, insects, and fruits.
Red-Eared Slider
Another popular turtle pet choice for kids is the red-eared slider. These turtles are common in the pet trade and can live up to 40 years with proper care.
These turtles don’t have many health issues and make the perfect pet for kids and busy families.
Red-eared sliders are known for their striking appearance with a bright green shell and red patches.
Turtles make a good pet, especially as a first pet or reptile pet for a child. They are unlikely to cause serious injury to kids and require minimal care, making them a good fit for busy families or first-time reptile owners.
Snakes as Pets for Kids
Snakes can make a great child’s pet reptile, but it’s important to do research and choose a species that is appropriate for beginners.
Small, non-venomous snakes like corn snakes or garter snakes are good choices for kids as they are easy to care for and handle.
Snakes require specialized care and housing, including UV light, so it’s important to do your research before bringing one home. Younger snakes also require live prey like adult mice, so it’s important to consider if your family is ready for this level of reptile care before getting a snake as a pet.
Baby Corn Snakes
Corn snakes are a popular pet snake choice for kids due to their small size and calm personalities.
The corn snake can live up to 20 years with proper care and have a wide variety of color morphs available. The corn snake eats rodents in captivity and is a great choice for first-time snake owners.
Once they become adult corn snakes these reptiles can reach up to five feet in length, making the corn snake a good choice for children who want a snake that will grow with them.
Garter Snakes
Garter snakes are another good beginner snake for kids as they are easy to care for and handle.
These non-venomous snakes have a small size and can live up to 10 years in captivity. Garter snakes eat a diet of small rodents and have a variety of color patterns available.
Ball Pythons
Ball pythons are a popular choice for beginner snake owners due to their small size and docile personalities. These snakes can live up to 20 years in captivity and have a wide variety of color morphs available.
Just like many reptiles and snakes, ball pythons are reptiles that require specialized care and housing including ensuring proper humidity and a warm environment.
Reticulated Pythons Do Not Make Good Pets
Reticulated pythons are one of the largest snakes in the world and can reach lengths of up to 20 feet. These snakes are not recommended for beginner snake owners or children due to their size and potential aggression.
In captivity, they require specialized care including a large enclosure and a diet consisting primarily of small mammals like rats or rabbits.
While they may be impressive to see, reticulated pythons are not suitable pets for kids or first-time snake owners.
Chameleons – Best Reptile Pets
Your young child may enjoy caring for a chameleon. Chameleons are reptiles that can be a little more sensitive to handling and stress, making them better suited for older children with some reptile experience.
These unique lizards come in a variety of colors and sizes and have the ability to change their color.
Green Iguanas – Best Reptile Pets
Iguanas can make a great pet reptile for children, but it’s important to do research before bringing one home. These large lizards like most reptiles are great pets for kids.
Friendly Pets for Kids
You must choose a friendly pet for kids when looking at reptiles. Some reptile pets are known for their friendly personalities. Personally, my favourite option for low-maintenance pets and reptiles for children has to be a lizard namely, bearded dragons.
Lizards enjoy attention from their owners and can be easily handled with proper care and handling techniques.
However if you’re not looking for a lizard pet reptile, you can opt for many other reptiles, just be sure to learn about the individual needs of your pet before committing to them as a family.
