The Green Iguana Society does not consider iguanas to be suitable pets for kids because of the difficulty of caring for them, as well as other considerations. So, if you are an adult with a kid who is dying to have a pet reptile, or you are a kid who wants an iguana but whose parents or guardians have decided that an iguana isn't right for your family, what alternatives are out there? Certain reptiles can make good pets for kids, but many do not. Here are some things to consider.
Is the reptile you're interested in hardy and easily handled? Will it tolerate and thrive if it is handled a lot by a child? Children, of course, want pets they can hold and play with. Very few reptiles really enjoy being held by a child (or anyone, really), but some tolerate it just fine while others are too delicate and will be so stressed by frequent handling that their health will suffer. This is what makes true chameleons and little anoles ill-suited for children, for example. This is also why amphibians like frogs and salamanders aren't the best bet either. They do best when handled as little as possible. Species that prefer to spend most of their time hidden away are bound to end up rejected or neglected as kids get bored or frustrated with their "invisible" pet.
What is the adult size of the reptile? | |
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