Has Your Child Asked For A Reptile? 4 Things To Consider Before You Make The Committment
Posted on: 26 April 2021
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If your child has asked for a reptile, take some time to do some careful planning. Owning a reptile is a full-time commitment, even if they don't require the same type of care as your typical cat or dog. Before you buy a reptile for your child, read the information provided below. Here are four steps to consider before purchasing a reptile.
Wait for the Right Age
If you're going to buy your child a reptile, you want to wait for the right age. If your child is old enough to ask for a reptile, you might think that they're ready. Unfortunately, that might not be the case. Reptiles require a lot of special care. Without the right care, your child's new pet might not live as long as it should. Not only that, some reptiles will bite, even if they're hand-trained. Before you buy your child a reptile, make sure they're old enough to assume the responsibility.
Consider Cuddle Effect
If your child wants a pet and they've asked for a reptile, be sure to consider the cuddle effect. Most reptiles are sedentary creatures, which means they won't do much to keep your child entertained. Not only that, but they're not typically the cuddly type of pet. If your child wants a pet that will play with them, you might want to consider a different type of pet. However, if your child wants a pet that they can carry with them, watch, and learn from, a reptile might be the perfect pet.
Provide Plenty of Space
If you're considering the purchase of a reptile for your child, you need to plan for plenty of space. The reptile you purchase may start out small, but that doesn't mean they'll stay that way. As your child's reptile grows, its space needs will grow as well. To help keep your child's reptile healthy, you'll need to upgrade the housing from time to time. That means you'll also need to make sure that your child has enough space in their room to accommodate the additional enclosure space the reptile will need. It's important to note that reptiles require space for sleeping, eating, and exploring. The more space they have, the happier your child's reptile will be.
Avoid Born-in-the-Wild
If you're ready to buy a reptile for your child, pay attention to breeding. Reptiles for sale are typically bred in two places: captivity and the wild. When it comes to buying a reptile for your child, you want to choose one that was bred, and born, in captivity. Captive-born reptiles are easier to handle and won't carry the diseases that are common in the wild.