Do Reptiles Make Good Pets for Kids?

Photo by Beth Teutschmann on Unsplash — Photo by Beth Teutschmann on Unsplash

Many children would love to have a dog or cat for their pet, but their parents might be hesitant to add these larger animals to the household. Whether the concern is cost, allergies, maintenance, or other reasons, reptiles may be a more fitting choice for your child’s first pet.

Why Should Children Have Pets?

Having pets in your home can offer a lot of benefits to your child. Some of the best reasons to allow your child to have a pet include:

Learning About Responsibility. As adults, our duties and responsibilities make up a significant portion of our attention. You can teach your child about responsibility early by assigning them pet care duties appropriate to the child’s age and skill.
Teaching and Developing Empathy. Younger children can often be quite selfish, and giving them the responsibility to care for a pet can help them to learn empathy. It might be surprising how quickly your child learns the pet’s feelings about their environment and habitat. Reptilecentre.com has all of the equipment and care products you and your child will need to ensure the animal’s safety and comfort.
Gaining Confidence. Aside from cleaning up their toys, taking care of a pet may be the first “job” your child is responsible for. As the pet thrives and lives happily, your child can gain confidence in their own capabilities.

Since they don’t take up much space, and their needs are relatively simple, some species of reptiles can be excellent first pets for children. Reptiles are also cute and fun, and their different needs and activities can provide a unique learning opportunity for your child.

Which Reptiles Are Best for Children?

There are many different reptile species, all with varying needs in terms of care and habitat. Some reptiles are ideal pets, while others are not safe to have around children. The key is to choose the right reptile for your child and your family, and always be sure the pet has the correct diet and habitat for their needs. The following are some of the best types of reptiles to have as pets for your child.

Turtles & Tortoises - As quiet, relatively small, and easy-to-maintain reptiles, turtles and tortoises can be great pets for kids. They are also reasonably intelligent and can even learn to perform basic tasks such as navigating a maze. A great species to consider is the Red Eared Slider Turtle.
Geckos - Geckos make great pets for kids, but you’ll need to research to get the right breed. Some geckos are more social or aggressive, and others are very high-energy and might be too much for your child to handle. Generally, most gecko species that are best as pets are easy to care for and gentle in disposition. Consider the Leopard Gecko or Crested Gecko when looking for a good pet reptile for your child.
Lizards - There are thousands of species of lizard, so it might be a bit overwhelming to find the perfect pet lizard for your family. The best pet lizards are easy to care for and handle and have gentle temperaments for kids. Keep in mind that all lizards can excrete Salmonella, so you will need to ensure your child washes correctly after handling the pet. The Bearded Dragon is an excellent choice for a pet lizard.
Frogs - Since they are relatively inexpensive and easy to take care of, frogs can be great pets for kids. Some frog species also have a long lifespan and are very low maintenance. White’s Tree Frog is a good choice of pet frog for children.