There is some research out there on this topic so you should be able to do an online search and find some information. I am not a vet or a doctor but I can tell you what works for us. I have two little boys who are three and seven. I have had snakes, lizards, frogs and turtles around the kids since the older one was two. One thing we focus on is educating the kids to know they shouldn't put things in their mouth while handling the reptiles. We keep anti-bacterial gel in the reptile room, and hand cleaning is a big production afterward. Obviously, this doesn't work with babies and I think babies should be kept away from reptiles until they are old enough to understand the word 'no' and listen to you when you say it. You can lower the risk yourself by keeping your cages clean and always washing your hands after handling your animals. I also used to wear an old tee-shirt when I was handling the snakes that I could change out of when the kids were babies.



I don't know of any other risks to humans other than salmonella from retiles. Many people have sucessfully raised kids and reptiles in the same household. The keys are educating yourself and being responsible in your husbandry. Good luck!
-----
Anna



The Zoo

Corns

1.0 Snow - Cornelius

1.1 Ghost(pastel) - Eek & Boo

0.1 Amel - Scarlet

0.1 Hypo - Nikko

0.1 Anery - Missy

0.1 Hypo Motley - Cordelia aka Cordy

Boas

0.1 Columbian (BCC) - Bella

Lizards

0.0.1 Leopard Gecko - Leo

Rats

0.1 Dumbo Agouti - Moon

1.0 Standard Black - Pluto

Cats

1.1 Siamese - Blue & Fiona

0.1 Gray DMS - Druscilla aka Dru

Horses

1.0 Thourghbred (Hunter/Jumper) - Morgan's Majesty aka Cody

[ Reply To This Message ] [ Subscribe to this Thread ] [ Hide Replies ]