Reptiles as pets

Polarbear · Super Spammer Joined: 24 Feb 2007 Karma :

does anyone do reptiles as pets?

Eldest grandson want one instead of ubiquitous hamster or guinea pig.

What's easy to keep and would keep a nine year olds attention. I'm quite willing to help him out with the set up but know nothing about cold blooded animals except for my ex wife and the only oblong case I'd put her in you bury.
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stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Remember they are for looking at, not handling.

It's ALL about the environment you keep them in, they are usually very specific. Correct substrate, temperature zones, lighting and feeding. I generally recommend you go to a specialist reptile shop and ask for their advice.

He'd be better off with a couple of rats than either a repitile or a hamster or guinea pig. Very interactive pets, like human company, don't mind being picked up, nearly impossable to drop. Very hard to get them wrong really, although quite a few come with respiratory infections. Don't live very long so you're not left with them when they get bored or go to college. Almost the ideal pet for kids.
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Tarmacsurfer · World Chat Champion Joined: 29 Jun 2004 Karma :

As mentioned, reptiles don't make great pets. Had a few (geckos, beardy), wouldn't have more. Wife has had more than me and is an accredited exotics nurse, she's also of the same opinion. Basically we took them on as rescues, no way in hell we'd buy.

Also to echo, rats are awesome. My first two (had one at a time) lived in shoeboxes by my bed, travelled everywhere with me in whatever pocket was most comfortable. It was only when I ended up rehoming three more that I bothered getting a cage. They weren't as well socialised but still made great house pets. They have their problems, mostly respiratory issues or bumble foot but some lines seem particularly prone to cysts as well.

They're incredibly smart little creatures, the barman at my local in the early nineties used to know when I needed a drink, Suki was fascinated by the drink dispenser and would climb onto my shoulder (or the bar, if it was quiet) and stare at the machine if she noticed my glass was near empty.
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Freddyfruitba... · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 May 2016 Karma :

Yeah, agree with the above. My (adult) son has a gecko; very substantial outlay on startup kit, loads of aggro in terms of maintaining temperature and humidity, has to keep live colonies of cockroaches and god knows what going for foodstuff, and all the beast seems to want to do us hide away in its hide all the time. Can’t think of a less exciting pet for a kid TBH
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Polarbear · Super Spammer Joined: 24 Feb 2007 Karma :

Thanks for the input all. I'll suggest rats(s). I'm sure he'll be fine with it but I'm not so convinced about his mother Laughing

. We shall see.
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Moth · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 30 Dec 2021 Karma :

Rats make awesome pets. One of our gang (who's known as Ratt) always has one which lives in/under his sofa & they mostly litter trained. Had some great times watching TV with it sitting on my shoulder nibbling his nuggets.
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Pete. · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Aug 2006 Karma :

P. · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

I've had odd pets, but I couldn't be doing with reptiles, mainly due to the "look but don't touch" mentality. I like my pets to be part of the crew. I had 4 sugar gliders and had them out every day jumping around the house, can't imagine having a pet that I could only get out on the absolute rare occasion, if at all.

My workmate on the other hand, has a wide collection of weird spiders, mantis, cockroaches etc, you wouldn't be getting them out and he loves them!

Rats are probably ideal, obviously people think about rats being the fast sewer dwelling disease machines, pet rats tend to be much much nicer and aren't dying for attention, they accept it if its given and have enough enjoyment if you don't grab them every day.

Freddyfruitba... · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 May 2016 Karma :

Nobby the Bastard · Harley Gaydar Joined: 16 Aug 2013 Karma :

Don't get a single rat, get a pair from the same litter. That way they won't starve for attention (they love it) if you can't cuddle them 15 times a day.

I've had many over the years.
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pepperami · Super Spammer Joined: 17 Jan 2010 Karma :

No! No! No!, reptiles = yuk! , insects = yuk! Sick

Pets should be furry, daft, affectionate and have a tail Thumbs Up

Pets should chase a ball and do silly things like steal your socks Smile

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recman · World Chat Champion Joined: 26 Mar 2012 Karma :

Daughter #2 has a few lizards, she's had quite a bit of success breeding them. Not for sale though.
She's made it a bit of a hobby.
I'll stick with my doggo.

tatters · Exxon Valdez Joined: 05 Jan 2004 Karma :

ThunderGuts · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Nov 2018 Karma :

Although sounds like you've already got a good steer if not a decision, but the other thing to think about is unless you're very dedicated, there'll be times when the pets will need to be looked after by someone else. With rodents especially, they're pretty straightforward to look after by someone else - feed, water, muck out their cage, play with occasionally and that will be enough for a week while someone is on holiday. Reptiles - so much more complicated for all the reasons above. Some reptiles aren't baby friendly either (I think a bacteria?) so if there are any, or could be any, babies in the family that could be tricky too.

When my grandmother passed away last year, she had (among other pets) a bearded dragon and a tortoise. The beardy was well past it's use-by date (although surprisingly sprightly still) but the tortoise was in it for the long-haul. We initially were going to house the tortoise, but decided against it in the end - just seemed too complicated, even day to day, without holidaying etc.. to factor in.

We had guinea pigs when we were kids; one lived to 7 years old, but the others expired around the age of 4 or 5 I think. They were good fun, low maintenance, never damaged anything or anyone and did have personalities, but I imagine rats are much more fun if the household can tolerate the idea of them. If my son wants a pet when he gets a bit older, I would lean towards a rat (although wifey will probably want a flipping furball).
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