I don't own retics, but I do have some pretty big boas & too me having snakes & kids under the same roof has never been a big deal. My cages have locks, & the kids aren't allowed in the snake room unless I'm in there too. My youngest (Daniel), now two & a half LOVES the snakes, & the other reptiles too. I've let him touch snakes since he was about a year old (Hands washed after), & now that he understands he has to be gentle I let him hold baby boas & our ball python as long as I am right there. He asks to hold a snake about every day. To me having him with me in the snake room makes the hobby more fun then it could ever be. Tonight he helped me feed the turtles some worms, fed the fish, helped gave the chorus frogs some fruit flies, & then we handled some gray banded kingsnakes. Keeping cages locked is very important, especially if your snakes aren't in a room kids cant get to, but in my opinion the most important thing is to keep everything clean, I mean anything your kid will possibly touch in the snake room like the floor.

Field herping is easy with a kid too. While he/she is real young just keep it in a chest pack, then when he/she out grows that put it in a child backpack, use leash & harness, or just hold his/her hand, that will prevent your kid from reaching for a venomous snake. I've been teaching Daniel about what snakes are OK to touch with his hands simply by handling some of the harmless ones in the field & letting him touch them, & only touching the rattlesnakes with a hook. He is figuring it out pretty quick.

I think its great you guys are planning on having a kid & I wouldnt let the herps discourage you in any way. Just when you think this stuff cant get any funner it does as soon as you hear a little voice say "daddy can I see a snake" or "daddy can I help you feed snakes".

Daniel has been out herping with us since we took him home from the hospital


An easy trail at a local park


Crashed in the backpack


Keeping the sun & wind off of him with a coat



Enjoying holding a boa with adult supervision


Catching toads is something all kids love


Daniel loves having his own hook















Daniel catching his 1st snake






Poking at a bullsnake








I'll stop now,lol, I could post pics all day of kids & herps. But anyway, kids love this stuff!

Dan Eby

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