Help with good first lizard for a child

[IW17]

Hi everyone. Here's my question. My fiance's 12 year old daughter has been coming with me to Reptile shows over the last couple months, and is taking a liking to the hobby. Unfortunately she doesn't hold much of an interest in Snakes which is more my area of knowledge. She has been really interested in lizards, cresties in particular. I don't know much about lizards and I'm wondering if this would be a good species to get her started in. I would be the main caretaker with her helping and learning responsibilities of the hobby. My only concern is that I know she would like a species that can be held and interacted with. I was thinking a Bearded dragon or blue tongue skink would be a better option. If anyone has some advice or wisdom I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you so much in advance!

Drew

[kwhitlock]

I would agree on the blue tongue or beardie choice too personally.

But if her hearts set on getting a gecko, does she like leopard geckos? My girlfriends sister has 2 of them and her 3 and 4 year old nieces love them, they aren't flighty or skidish but they have been handled a lot. Just throwing out an idea if she's into more of the colorful kinds if lizards! :)

[drumcrush]

Leopard geckos are pretty cool, I love my girl! I will be getting a male shtct Leo in a few months:)

[StudentoReptile]

Can't go wrong with Blue-tongue skinks; great size (not too big or too small), very forgiving with diet, temps and humidity, and they can be potty-trained!

[IW17]

That's how I feel. The more I read about blue tongues l, the more I really like them. They seem to fit the bill in all categories. And the big plus over beardies in my opinion is the fact that I wouldn't need to raise bugs. I can buy their food at the grocery store.

[psychocircus]

cresties are very easy to care for and are not bad for handling at all IMO. If that's what she really wants I would go for it. They also are fed a special diet so you don't have to get crickets (at least not often)

They also don't need a lot of the heat and supplemental lighting of other lizards.

[Terranaut]

I also say leopard gecko or blue tongued skink.

[StudentoReptile]

Really, a lot of depends on two factors: space and what you can feed it.

For some, it's not a big deal to acquire feeder bugs. Personally, I like to stick to herbivores so I can just either grow my own produce or go to grocery store.

[Jinxygirl]

Crested geckos are on the list for the best starter reptiles, so I would say that a crestie would be perfect for her.. especially if you would be helping. I've had a leopard gecko as well and in all honesty cresties are easier to care for because of their pre-made diet and the fact that they do not need supplemental heat.

[IW17]

I have a Leopard Gecko myself and it is a wonderful little critter that I truly enjoy. But I really wouldn't consider it as a good species to hold and interact with outside the cage. I bring him out and can manage him but my experience is that he is quick to try to get away. I feel like a younger person with little experience could allow it to get away. But again this is my limited experience.

Cresties are awesome and if they are good to handle and have out then that's the direction I will take. I'm gonna show her the bts and see if she likes it. I really want to keep her involved in everything as much as possible. I remember how excited I would get when I was her age acquiring a new Reptile(still do lol), and I want her to share those same emotions.

I've pretty much made my mind up about the live feeders. My Leo is a pain, and I would prefer to keep a species that I can have food made up from the grocery store or from a bulk store bought source.

[StudentoReptile]

Crested geckos are on the list for the best starter reptiles, so I would say that a crestie would be perfect for her.. especially if you would be helping. I've had a leopard gecko as well and in all honesty cresties are easier to care for because of their pre-made diet and the fact that they do not need supplemental heat.

That last statement is subjective, particularly on the temperature of the keeper's home and also native climate. From personal experience, I will say that is not necessarily accurate to say they do not need supplemental heat. I don't want to turn the thread into an endless debate on care needs for crested geckos, but just a gentle reminder to: Be careful on such vague care advice.

*[NOTE: as I look at my own initial post in this thread]. You may counter...However, I did not specifically say BTS did or did not need something, only that they are forgiving captives!

[Mikoh4792]

*[NOTE: as I look at my own initial post in this thread]. You may counter...However, I did not specifically say BTS did or did not need something, only that they are forgiving captives!

very tactful haha

[psychocircus]

IME cresties squirm and run away much less than some leos. They may try to "hop" off though.

[Teal]

Leos have to be hand tamed, from my experience. My son wanted a baby Leo, and it was very flighty/jumpy/bitey when he first starte handling it.

On the other hand, my experience has been that Cresties can be jumpy but not bitey and tame down quicker.

I have only had experience with a few individuals. I personally like Cresties better, and if you get an older one (hatchlings are TINY) that already has some handling you shouldn't have any problems at all!

[Snakefood]

my 2 cents??

My very first Pet lizard was a pair of green anoles, they sat on my shirt as I walked around the house. I was about 12 as well at the time.

[Deva]

I haven't kept them, but when I did my research I was thinking crested geckos would be easier to feed since they have a food you can simply mix up. I do know someone that has a bearded dragon and loves it, but you have to feed it crickets and other live food and that is more work. Either would be fine pets, I am sure.

[psychocircus]

Cresties, leopards, bearded dragons, and blue tongue skinks can all be good choices for those experienced with basic reptile husbandry. The latter two seem a bit more "personable," but they are all fun in their own rights.