Low maintenance pet

[shineon]

Sons birthday coming up. Trying to think of a nice surprise for him. Is there a very low maintenance pet I could get him? No dogs cats. He has a hamster. Maybe a fish? Anything a bit more exciting?

My nephew has a bearded dragon which is pretty self sufficient/easy to look after, and naturally he loves telling people he has a dragon at home (!!).

Initially set up costs might be a little higher than for other pets though.

A pair of giant African land snails? Cheap , low maintenance and a really lovely pet in general. Just make sure you buy egg laying ones.

@ChickenBhuna made my day 😂😂😂 egg laying ones 😂😂😂

I'm lost , ilovebacon! How did I make your day?

There's a species of GALS that lay live young and it's illegal to dispose of them yet hard to find homes for them. Eggs can be frozen and thrown away , which is the kindest thing you can do when they breed.

I never thought of a bearded dragon. Do you hsve to feed them live things

I know when they first got him they did, but now they mainly just feed him vegetables. Not sure if that's an age thing or because it's much easier not having live food around though!

He really is a cute little thing.. never been able to bring myself to holding him though!

We have had our dragon for 5 years. Live crickets about once a month and veg in between. Heat lamp and lighting. . Handling him is lovely. He snuggles under dc neck and goes to sleep!
Cats not bothered about it.

Sometimes put him +crickets in an empty pop up paddling pool so he can chase after his food! Cats sit and watch!!
Gross but fascinating!
Never bitten either.

chicken I suppose you meant to say DON'T buy egg laying ones?

No , I definitely meant that if the OP opts for snails then she should buy the egg laying ones :-)

GALS breed very easily and if your snails lay eggs then it's legal to pop the eggs in the freezer for 48 hours then dispose of them. However the ones that lay live young leave you with snail babies immediately which you cannot discard as it's illegal in this country. Your only option is to then find new homes for them (which is tricky as people most commonly buy the egg layers) or keep them...there can be over a hundred in a clutch!

Oh I see. I thought there were snails that didn't breed at all!

Hermit crabs! I got my nieces some (with parental blessing!). You can get a cute tank and set it up with accessories for them to climb on, etc.

(Assuming they're suitable for U.K. climate?)