Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a son who is almost 10 that I get every other weekend. He likes to look at them but not really hold that very often. He has a ball python who we are considering getting rid of and replacing with a lizard. I am looking around trying to find a lizard that will suit his way of doing and mine. I realize that I will be doing all the feeding but I'm wondering what size tank a crested will need without be handled and what age to get...I am Not very familar with lizards of any kind.
ps I also have a 11 mth old who makes a lot of noise....Are the crested sensitive to noise/light/ sctivity?

I would suggest looking into Leopard Geckos first. They are usually suggested as a first lizard for kids in addition to bearded dragons and corn snakes. Leopard geckos are much easier to handle when they are young and very easy to clean out. They can live in a 10 gallon their whole life (though we like moving adults to bigger ones) and will pick a specific "bathroom" which is easy to clean when you use paper towels as a cage liner. I usually steer people towards leos first, as they are typically much more easy going and can't stick to and climb walls if they get out or are lost.

We currently have both and I can say that, although I love my crestie, she is a pain to clean out as they poo all over the plants and sides of the enclosure and you have to watch humidity carefully. She also took a long time to settle down and be handlible and that made tasks like cleaning much harder. The advantage to a crestie is you can feed them exclusively CGD (Crested gecko diet, a powdered meal replacement), however they do grow better when you also offer crickets or other live prey. You can start with a standard 10 gallon, but after about 6 months you would want to consider something taller as these guys are tree dwellers.

Hope this helps, it depends on the kid and your willingness to be involved. There are forums here for most kinds of lizards and subforums for both leos and this one for cresties if you want to read more. Let us know if you have anymore questions!
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0.1 Albino Leo Gecko
0.1 Crested Gecko
1.0 Dear Boyfriend
Departed: Harvey and Spock

I agree with what sleepy said, but noticing that she didn't really answer your question about noise, light and activity, I will say that they generally hide from bright light, so if you do get one, realize that you won't see it much during the day. As far as noise goes, mine doesn't seem to mind me playing loud videogames that include gunfire noises only a few feet from her enclosure, so the 11 month old crying and such probably won't be a big deal. Activity in the room isn't a huge big deal, as long as they're not being directly harassed. I frequently see mine watching me (don't get into a staring contest, you'll lose, they have no eyelids ).

Other points to consider: whether you get a crested or a leopard or some other type of lizard, if it's your first lizard, I would go with a healthy looking juvenile or adult rather than a baby. Babies need to be maintained more carefully, especially with regard to humidity. They have less mass, so it's easier for them to get dehydrated or undernourished, and especially with the cresteds, they're *tiny* (mine started out able to sit on a fingertip w/o really hanging anything off of said fingertip but her tail).

All that being said though, I agree with sleepy - while cresteds aren't too hard to take care of, they do require more maintenance than a leopard gecko and are less handleable due to their ability to stick to *anything* and their propensity for jumping. If our warnings about them being a bit harder to take care of don't dissuade you, then go into it knowing what you're getting into. They are very satisfying and interesting creatures to have around, and, imho at least, they're cute as can be, even including the fact that they poop everywhere .

Whatever you decide to do, enjoy, and if you have to let go of the ball python, I hope you'll be able to find a good home for it.
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0.1 Albino Leopard Gecko - Tigger
0.1 Crested Gecko - Pooh-Bear

I agree with both other posters, however I have to get on my soapbox here. I noticed that you are considering getting rid of one animal and replacing it with another. I strongly suggest against teaching that "your pets are disposible" lesson to your child. Pets should be for life and please consider that either gecko (Leopard or Crested) will live to be 15 to 20 years old (with proper care). I am wondering if the proper consideration was given to the python. Always consider the following when getting a pet:

1. How long it should live. If you're not willing to deal with that long of a commitment or you feel it will get boring after a few years, don't get it.

2. If you're able to properly care for it it's WHOLE life.

Just because reptiles aren't fuzzy like dogs or cats doesn't mean they are disposible. Please, at least this time consider whether you're ready to keep this pet for the LONG HALL.

I totally agree with Thera. Pet's are commitments, when you buy them you should know everything about them and be ready to keep them for however long they live. I don't know why you are getting rid of your other animal but if you got bored of that one and now you want a different one, what will happen to that one? Get bored and get a different pet and get rid of the old one? Just make sure you know what you are doing when you buy pets... dont go to the pet store and say, "hey, I think I want one of those." before you know anything about them and know you are ready to be commited to them.

I am agreeing with everyone here. I was raised that you don't get rid of a pet once you get them. Unfortunately I have had to with my son, not because of responsibility of them (2 rats, 1 gueniea pig and 1 cat) but because of allergies. My son is asthmatic and the rats & gueniea pig aggrevated it. The 1 cat we found as a stray and took her in. After 8 months my son's asthma was getting worse and we had to find her a new home. He's not allergic to the exisitng cat that I've had for 8 years (short hair tabby, not a long haired siames mix). His allergies and asthma have gotten a lot better since she's been at her new home.

We both love lizards and turtles and I decided to check out geckos, partly due to not taking up as much room as turtles or bearded dragons (which we will do once we move to some place bigger). I was going to get a Leopard Gecko, but the person at Petco introduced me to the Crested Geckos. Told me much more personable, for 1. He took the male out (about 8-12 mos old) and he hopped right on to me and just sat and stared. I was sold. Then I got a female a couple days later. Came from the same place, a little bigger in size (haven't weighed them though), and not as friendly. He likes climbing up my arm and resting on my shoulder or neck (under my hair). He also poops every time he's out...either on my boyfriend or the bed, never on me.

Anyway...these are a lot of responsibility, just like all pets. They need humidity, water changes daily, food changes daily, etc. Plus, if you're looking for something your son will interact with, then a pet that is nocturnal isn't the way to go.