First lizard for a five year old

Lankyrob · 02-04-11, 03:26 PM

We are looking to get a lizard for my daughters birthday, she will be responsible for it, obviously with our supervision. We have looked at a number of possibilities in both lizards and snakes and have come up with either geckos or beardies. The animal will be living in HER bedroom not in the living room with the rest of our reptiles.

Can people that currently own one or both of these pass on their thoughts with regard to suitability for a five year old? She is likely to want to interact eith whatever we get quite a bit but understands the concept of too much interaction. She already successfully cares for two guinea pigs and a hamster, again with our help and supervision.

Look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Ch^4 · 02-04-11, 03:55 PM

I don't know much about good lizards for a responsible youngin', but I'd go out on a limb and suggest a leopard gecko. Husbandry seems to be fairly straightforward and they are adorable! Good luck and I hope someone else has some better advice for you. (Side note: we're basically talking amongst ourselves at this time of day Rob!)

Lankyrob · 02-04-11, 03:57 PM

Lol, maybe we could have had all the conversations on pm!!! Sure there will be others along sometime soon. Tho with your experise i am in good hands

**Aaron_S** · 02-04-11, 04:31 PM

My personal favourite are fat tail geckos. They are very calm and easy to handle right from the egg. I find that they tend to be slower than leopards and less nervous. Beardies also tend to be a favourite amongst keepers as first time pets. They tend to show more personality as well as get larger and still do well to handle. They require a larger enclosure though so it depends on the amount of space in your daughters room.

NennaMeerkat · 02-04-11, 04:36 PM

I am gonna say a beardie. They are so mild mannered and can be quite the characters. Plus they get big enough where you can put a little harness (usually made for animals like ferrets) on them and "walk" them. My guy loves his walks in the summer time.

Lankyrob · 02-04-11, 04:58 PM

We can definitely get a three foot viv and possibly a four foot viv in the room.

infernalis · 02-04-11, 06:28 PM

Tie - Beardie & Gecko

**Aaron_S** · 02-04-11, 06:34 PM

Let's make this easy Wayne. One of each will make the little girl happy

I'm just glad my little girl likes fish!

infernalis · 02-04-11, 06:40 PM

I gave up on all pets for my kids.

Our daughter let her fish tank turn into a septic tank!

Corni_snake · 02-04-11, 07:21 PM

Id say either crested, or the lepoard geckos! there are the corn snake version of the docility and hardiness of them. Plus fantastic morphs on both of those species! (my hosuemate wanted to get one!

we did LOADS of research!) Added bonus, they dont get too big! for a five year old, but are quite fast critters when want to be!

NennaMeerkat · 02-04-11, 07:28 PM

For some kids bigger is better in their eyes. I got a six year old and he LOVES to feed our beardie his crickets and watches him as he chows down. Its also one of our only pets that he will hold or pet.

Marica · 02-04-11, 07:36 PM

We're considering our first four-legged herp as well and have narrowed it down to a crested or gargoyle gecko as the bf doesn't like the look of leopards and fat-tails. They seem to have fairly simple care requirements: no additional heating and an almost completely formulated diet. From what I've read the gargs take better to handling, but not as well to cohabitation as the cresties.

Quack · 02-04-11, 07:54 PM

I would say that they are a tie as well(I've never owned a beardie but I have a friend who owns both and says they are about equal), as far as cresteds and gargoyles go, Ive owned both and from my experience cresteds are easier to find at shows but gargoyles do take better to handling( at least mine does that is).

Freebody · 02-04-11, 11:29 PM

i vote beardie, they have some cool looking morphs as well, and they are less breakable sort a speek due to their size, and they usually are very chill and calm, i never had a leapard gecko, but my leachies are Fast, and take off when ever they get a chance, but they are friendly as in they have never made any act of aggression, just run out of fear i think.

justin4snakes · 02-07-11, 03:09 PM

i think its a tie but for such a young child you dont want any baby lizards. baby geckos and beardies are extremely flighty and take awhile to settle.