Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello I was wondering what gecko breed would be best for my little brother who (because of me ) is wanting a reptile, he needs something hardy that doesn't take to much care and he can handle, I own a crested and a leopard gecko and I know their good choice but just wanted to know if there's anything better? there's a reptile show coming up in May I'll be going to with him, so i have plenty of research time lol, or if maybe a small snake would be better but our dad doesn't like snakes (I'm just waiting for an excuse to get one LOL) I also was looking into tortoise's but don't really have room for another big setup and its pretty cold out side right now so that means lots of heating etc..And i think getting a gecko (being that its something I'm already familiar with) would be the best plan.

So I'd love to hear anyone's opinion on it, thanks!

-Anna

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1. Leopard Gecko: Cort.
1. Crested Gecko: Fender.
1. African Dwarf Frog: no name yet.
3. Cats: Midnight, Tiger & Fluffy.
RIP.
Leo: Larry.
Crestie: Tuki.
Marbled Salamander: Ibanez.

I'd Rather Be Hated For Who I Am, Then Loved For Who I'm Not - Kurt Cobain.

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.

I understand and agree, But this was not a ill thought out plan, I've owned geckos for years now and plan on being the one "actually" caring for the reptile the cage will be in my room and he will ALWAYS be watched while doing anything with it as he always has been with mine, I don't even let him handle mine unless hes sitting on the floor and able to keep his calm.

The point of it is he wanted to learn how to have his own pet and through having one to call "his."
He is extremely bright and a very strict rule follower, But all aside he IS like you said only 8 and I realize this, My mom is ONLY considering this because of the fact that I'll be here to help him with everything and all the research and cage setup and care to be done, We are home schooled so we have the time and tools and he has the supervision of me and our mother.
Because of my reptiles hes not even allowed in my room on his own just in case.

I apologize for not including all this in the before post as I should have, And I completely understand your concern, Just know we're not just going to give him a cage and animal and say "Have at it!" lol.

I'm almost 17 so its pretty much me getting another pet with the incentive of him having to help me care for it

Like any other animal we bring into our home research will be done to insure we're providing the best possible care we can, If he proves to be unable to safely help me with its care he will no longer be able to until he can listen and pay attention to what hes doing.

It will pretty much be hands on me teaching him what I already know from the years of owning and researching them myself, I know many local herpers and have a local exotics vet.

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1. Leopard Gecko: Cort.
1. Crested Gecko: Fender.
1. African Dwarf Frog: no name yet.
3. Cats: Midnight, Tiger & Fluffy.
RIP.
Leo: Larry.
Crestie: Tuki.
Marbled Salamander: Ibanez.

I'd Rather Be Hated For Who I Am, Then Loved For Who I'm Not - Kurt Cobain.

Well, if he's interested in handling it, then without a doubt the leo is the best choice. There simply isn't a better one. Cresties are great as well, but a little more challenging to care for, as you know.

The vast majority of other geckos are either more delicate, or are hands-off animals.

Thank you for your input!
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1. Leopard Gecko: Cort.
1. Crested Gecko: Fender.
1. African Dwarf Frog: no name yet.
3. Cats: Midnight, Tiger & Fluffy.
RIP.
Leo: Larry.
Crestie: Tuki.
Marbled Salamander: Ibanez.

I'd Rather Be Hated For Who I Am, Then Loved For Who I'm Not - Kurt Cobain.

I disagree with WingedWolfPsion, I can see where he/she is coming from but at age 6 I kept a snake, lizards, scorpions, and frogs. Most young kids get excited about bringing home a new animal and then get "burned out" or lose interest and after a couple months or so care gets neglected.

I see no problems on bringing home a gecko or snake for your brother, IF you are going to help if he does get burned out. I did not have that help as a kid and did kill a couple of my reptiles (more from husbandry errors then loss of interest) that was before the internet and information was something an exotic pet store employee gave me, of which not much was retained at my age.

I also believe leading your brother into something positive that you enjoy as well will be rewarding for both you. I would say leopard gecko all the way, or a corn snake/great basin gopher snake if you two can get away with the legless route.

Hahah yeah dad says no snakes >.< but he wasn't asked when I got my first gecko and my guinea pigs LOL they just showed up,

At this point I'm thinking we'll most likely go with another leo because I'll soon have the room for one anyways, I'm also looking into getting a russian tortoise for myself and I'm sure he'll love to help me out with that, hes alot like me in some ways and loves to learn and has to be kept busy so I think he'll really enjoy it and I'll be there helping him along the way,

When I was younger we lived way out and had corn fields all around our house so I always had critters and was (still am) crazy about animals, A lizard would get in the house and id own it for a week and learn how to care for it then after the week would let it go back into the wild lol I had bugs, spiders, lizards and all sorts of things haha I'm sure my dad had oh so much fun helping me catch the bugs to feed my random critters with hahaha.

Thank you for your reply!

-----
1. Leopard Gecko: Cort.
1. Crested Gecko: Fender.
1. African Dwarf Frog: no name yet.
3. Cats: Midnight, Tiger & Fluffy.
RIP.
Leo: Larry.
Crestie: Tuki.
Marbled Salamander: Ibanez.

I'd Rather Be Hated For Who I Am, Then Loved For Who I'm Not - Kurt Cobain.