An 8 year old? No. I would consider getting a reptile for a VERY responsible 10 year old, but certainly not for any child younger than that (and the 10-year-old would have to be exceptional).

I think it's fine for a parent to get a reptile and allow a child to aid in its care, but it has to be the parent's responsibility. Younger children can't be allowed to freely handle these animals. Even leopard geckos and bearded dragons aren't sturdy enough to withstand being played with the way children do. If they weren't directly injured, they would be stressed to death.

Tell your brother to do his research. Tell him to read all he can about how to care for these animals, and then put on a presentation for you when he's 9 years old, to explain everything he's learned about their care. Let him save up for and collect all the equipment he will need. Tell him if he does all that, and does a GOOD JOB of it, and is thorough, you can get him one for his 10th birthday.

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