Top Reptile Pets for Families – The Tye-Dyed Iguana
Dogs and cats may be more standard as family pets, but for
the family looking for a new friend that is a little more interesting, reptiles
can be a terrific option. You just have to know how to pick the right animal
for you and your kids. What goes into selecting a family-friendly exotic? Take
a look at The Tye-Dyed Iguanaâs top reptile pets for families.
Corn snake
If your kid is interested in snakes, the corn snake makes a
perfect first reptile pet. It tends to be calm and easy to handle, and that
makes care and feeding time less difficult. Corn snakes do not require much
specialized care. Like other snakes, they do require a heated enclosure. These
snakes eat mice or small rats, which you would only need to feed to them once
or twice per week. In addition to being a non-venomous snake (a feature you
definitely want if your children would like to handle the pet), corn snakes can
come in a range of colors and patterns. You should be aware that this pet can
live for more than two decades when properly cared for.
Ball python
This snake is immensely popular with families looking for a
first pet reptile. Its name comes from the fact that it will curl up in a ball,
a distinctive characteristic that makes it stand apart from other types of
snakes. Ball pythons are relatively small snakes that only need to be fed mice
or rats once every week or two. Like the corn snake, a ball python has relatively
few maintenance requirements, but it should have a heated enclosure. This snake
can live up to thirty years, so be prepared for a long-term relationship.
Leopard gecko
If youâre not up for feeding mice or rats to your reptile, a
lizard may be a better option for your family. Leopard geckos are small with an
attractive skin pattern, and they eat a variety of live insects, including crickets
and mealworms.
That being said, a lizard must typically be fed daily, unlike snakes. The
leopard gecko can be kept in a relatively small enclosureâperfect for homes or
apartments without large amounts of space for pets to roam. This lizard is also
fairly good about being handled, though younger children should not pick up the
leopard gecko because its tail could come off. The tail will grow back, but
this is stressful for your pet, and the new tail will not look the same as the
original.
Bearded dragon
If space is not an issue for your family, the bearded dragon
is another easy to handle option for lizard pets. These lizards do well being
handled, and it can be quite entertaining to watch them eat as they snatch the
food with their tongue. Their diet differs somewhat from the leopard gecko
because they are omnivores, eating both insects and plants. However, they do
require a larger enclosure than the leopard gecko since they can grow up to two
feet long. The bearded dragon has the shortest life span of the reptile pets
listed here, living up to about ten years.
Our team at The Tye-Dyed Iguana is happy to help you discuss
the characteristics that fit best in a reptile pet for your family. Come in and
take a look around.
