I have a four year old and a two year old (both girls) and a Bearded Dragon (ZZ), a Corn Snake (Cane) and a Kingsnake (King). Jessika (4) is allowed to hold them (with my supervision). I don't worry about Salmonella from my Reptiles any more than I worry about Salmonella from under cooked chicken in a restaurant. I keep my children and pets (along with me) as clean as possible. My two year old washes her hands after we have the reptiles out and she isn't allowed to hold them yet (because she has less control of body at this age). I want her to associate washing our hands and reptile handling (I even make them wash their hands after handling the cats--if we are going to be eating soon.)

Does anyone worry about E. coli after handling a baby...they carry that you know (along with carrying their poop with them--ewwww, I am glad reptiles don't do that)?

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