The 9 Best Reptile Pets for Kids (Safe and Low Maintenance!)

Explore the idea of reptiles if you’re considering getting a pet for your little one.  They are drastically less work than your typical domestic pet. Reptiles are fantastic pets due to their uncommon and distinctive nature. 

These unusual critters are easy to care for, fun to engage with, and adorable. Raising reptiles as a youngster can instill a lot of accountability in your child. However, not every reptile is suitable for children. 

Even the most well-liked reptiles may not be great for young pet owners. Below you will find our list of the best family-safe reptiles for children. Keep reading to find out which critters make the cut! 

What to Consider Before Getting a Pet Reptile

Reptiles are not only hypoallergenic and simple to care for, but they are also fascinating and enjoyable animals to learn about and engage with. Starting off can be scary, and numerous kids find themselves lost and seeking assistance. 

Every species requires a particular level of care when it involves caring for reptiles and amphibians. To learn the best methods to take care of the new addition to your family, it is crucial that you do plenty of research. 

Consider care requirements, food, how long the animal lives, and more. Prior to getting your new pet, it’s crucial to acquire all the supplies you’ll need to care for it. It’s crucial to set up the habitat first and verify the humidity and basking conditions.   

In this manner, you are able to make any necessary modifications beforehand. In natural environments, reptiles and amphibians consume a range of plants and prey, which provides them with a wide array of nutrients.  

Their options are constrained in captivity by what we can provide them. As a result, it’s critical to provide calcium and additional vitamins to their diet. Although it’s the last thing we want to consider, any living thing has the potential to become unwell, including our new pet.  

You should already have a veterinarian in mind who focuses on exotic pets before bringing your new friend home.

Best Pet Reptiles for Kids

1. Crested Gecko 

An arboreal reptile with a calm temperament and loving nature, the crested gecko lives in trees. When they are at ease, crested geckos are straightforward for humans to handle. 

Mature crested geckos are more friendly. Juvenile ones may be apprehensive and wary when touched. 

Since crested geckos are arboreal reptiles, they undoubtedly enjoy jumping. Because of this, you’ll want to make sure they have plenty of space to climb. They don’t require a particularly large container or unique lighting characteristics, to begin with. 

They can comfortably subsist on feeder bugs, crickets, and store-bought gecko food.

2. Leopard Gecko

A child would enjoy having a leopard gecko as a pet. Leopard geckos are extremely resilient, tolerant, docile, and manageable. These adorable little creatures enjoy getting plenty of pets and cuddles.

Geckos have long since acquired unique characteristics that aid in their survival. The tail, which has multiple functions, is one of these distinctive characteristics. They employ it for balancing, fat storage for energy, and camouflaging purposes. Leopard geckos can also lose their tail.

These fascinating lizards are relatively easy to care for. Because they don’t get excessively large, they just need one enclosure throughout their entire lives. Also, they do not require pricey, specialized lighting. 

Another great reason why these animals are good for kids is that they don’t have teeth. Though they rarely bite, it won’t hurt if they ever do. 

3. Blue-Tongued Skinks

The blue-tongued skink is a large-bodied pet lizard that has a unique-shaped head, short limbs, and a blue tongue. Unquestionably, blue-tongued skinks are among the most appealing reptile species for kids. 

Due to their size and stature, they are arguably the most strong and resilient of the animals on this list. These reptiles are good for children since they are calm, friendly, and frequently like handling. 

However, while your child is holding this lizard, you should watch over them because it could become frightened and jump. The ideal enclosure for blue-tongued skinks is around 36 by 18 by 10 inches. They also need plenty of space for daily floor time.

4. Russian Tortoise

Russian tortoises are often energetic creatures who enjoy eating. They don’t get any bigger than 10 in length, and females are somewhat larger than males. They can survive for over 40 years if given the right care.

Because of this, please think long and hard about bringing one of these animals into your home. Your child could have it well into adulthood. In warm climates, it’s ideal to keep these heat-loving reptiles outside; however, in more temperate regions, they can live in well-ventilated glass containers with screen lids. 

Russian tortoises must be provided with a deep substrate, such as shreds of recycled paper, because they enjoy digging and burrowing. Feeding them is easy, as they love veggies and fresh water. 

5. Box Turtle

Another excellent pet reptile for children is the box turtle, which requires little upkeep and can live a very long period with the right care. Box turtles enjoy eating fruits, vegetables, and insects.

Their shell is hinged, giving them a distinctive appearance and the ability to entirely retract when disturbed. Research is essential before taking a box turtle home with young children since these reptiles have particular housing and temperature requirements. 

6. Red-Eared Slider

Red-eared slider turtles are another common turtle breed that kids keep as pets. With the right care, these turtles, which are frequently sold as pets, may live up to 40 years. These turtles are the ideal pets for young children and busy families because they don’t have a lot of medical issues. 

The remarkable look of red-eared sliders, with their vibrant green shell and red spots, is easy to identify. For a youngster’s first pet or reptile, turtles are an excellent choice. They are suitable for hectic households or novice reptile owners because they require little maintenance and are unlikely to seriously hurt children.

7. Corn Snake

Corn snakes are adorable little slithering serpents. They tend to have a distinct pattern and come in warm-toned shades. The majority of snakes are feared due to the way they’re portrayed in the media. 

Thankfully, corn snakes aren’t aggressive. In fact, they’re quite docile and quiet. These animals are also effortless to keep indoors. Just a terrarium with at least 40 gallons will do. 

They consume one rodent on average every week, which makes feeding them simple and affordable.

8. Ball Python

Another great reptile for children is a ball python. These are one of the smallest species of pythons. Don’t worry; they’re non-venomous. Because they don’t get too huge and they’re well-behaved and manageable, ball pythons are regarded as suitable pets for kids. 

They rarely bite and are often quite docile snakes. They become accustomed to handling and become more relaxed around kids. Ball Pythons require little maintenance. These constricting serpents need access to food and clean water, as well as a terrarium with about 40 gallons of space.

9. Chameleon 

Your little one might love taking care of a chameleon. Chameleons are reptiles that can be somewhat delicate when handled and stressed, therefore older kids who have had some reptile expertise might be better equipped to care for them.

These unusual lizards can alter their appearance and come in a range of sizes and hues. They are suitable as pets for a number of reasons. First, they’re quite small, which is obvious. That implies that you don’t need a lot of space to store them. 

Additionally, chameleons are calm, vibrant, and simple to care for with sufficient practice.

Summary of the Best Pet Reptiles For Kids

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