Lizard?

[ArrangeYourFace1]

My 5 year old has been animal obsessed since he was less than 2 and it’s showing no sign of abating!
he found a centipede in the garden and wanted to keep it as a pet, he was extremely gentle with it until we convinced him he needed to release it (shocked to discover they are vicious carnivores!).
ANYWAY. He keeps going on about lizards.
my question is, would it be utter insanity to get a lizard for his 6th birthday? Are they a lot of trouble, expensive? Would it make a good pet? I don’t want to burden us and him (and the lizard) with a massive problem.

[KylieCharlene]

The set up ( Viv, heat lamps etc) are expensive.
Live crickets/locusts also add up if you buy them weekly.

I've had a lizard and I think most 6 year olds will become very bored very quickly tbh.

[SleepyTraveller]

Depends on the lizard, but generally speaking they have specific light/heat/humidity requirements (lots of electrics to set up), many eat live insects (fiddly, and essentially extra 'pets' to keep), and handling isn't always straightforward. They also tend to be pretty long-lived.

A 6 year old won't be able to do a lot of what's needed, so I'd say no unless you want a lizard yourself.

[VimFuego101]

Question is do YOU want a lizard? And are you OK with having crickets in the house to feed them? Bearded dragons and geckos are not too tough to keep once you have the setup correct.

[Bovrilly]

We have a leopard gecko and once the set-up is sorted they are relatively easy to look after and fascinating pets. Not sure how suitable for a 6 year old though, they don't do much, spend most of their time out of sight and are not very cuddly, although they can be handled. They live for years so we got ours second hand from someone who was moving to a smaller house, £50 for the lizard and everything she needed. She's about 8 now I think. You would have to be happy with live food and with cleaning it out regularly as a 6 year old wouldn't manage that on their own. (DH does it in our house - I went on strike after the little bugger bit me.)

[Moonface123]

l have grown very attached to our Bearded Dragon, gentle docile little creature that he is. You do need to invest time and effort to give them a good quality of life and do your homework as to lighting and heating. Ours has free run of the house, and l have him out in the garden besides me in the summer when its warm enough and l' m gardening or reading. He also likes sitting on a warm sunny windowsill for a while watching the world go by, you just have to make sure they don't get cold, so only out for short spells. We bath him, he is quite lazy,.just tends to sit where ever you put him, sometimes he will have a plod around, was more active when smaller/ younger.
Your son would probably find him abit boring after a while, they are interesting in their own way, but don't give alot back. They are solitary creatures you can't have two males together, his beard will puff up if he sees his reflection in the mirror. its the only time he does that. We handle him very carefully and respectfully and he has never shown any aggression.

[ArrangeYourFace1]

@KylieCharlene
@SleepyTraveller
@VimFuego101
@Bovrilly
@Moonface123

Thank you all so much for your considered replies. I really appreciate all the info.

I will definitely think hard about whether to get one or not. They sound interesting but perhaps a little bit too much work for myself and the eventual 6 six year old!

Thanks again.

[IHateWasps]

will definitely think hard about whether to get one or not. They sound interesting but perhaps a little bit too much work for myself and the eventual 6 six year old!

I'd advise against getting one. I used to have Collared lizards and adored them but I don't think I'd have them again, unless there was a rescue who really needed me. They're more work than people realise. They can be very delicate. The livefood is a pain especially if it escapes. You also need a specialist vet. You can't just take them to any old vet so you might have to travel some distance. Also their poop is vile, even by poop standards.

[ArrangeYourFace1]

@IHateWasps

haha at the vile poop! Thank you for your advice, it’s appreciated. I am now thinking maybe a tortoise might be the way to go…

[IHateWasps]

Tortoises are a lot of work too and require more space and than people think. They're also a life long (and sometimes beyond) commitment. I'd say if a lizard is too much work for you(and I don't blame you, then a tortoise would be too and really that goes for reptiles generally imo.

There are a number of tortoise owners on MN so it might be worth starting a thread specifically on them but there's some basic information about the downsides here. www.britishcheloniagroup.org.uk/caresheets/childtort

[IHateWasps]

Another here tortoiseexpert.com/top-10-reasons-not-to-get-a-tortoise/

[ArrangeYourFace1]

Thank you @IHateWasps
clearly I am clueless as I was under the impression a tortoise would practically look after itself. We already have a very high maintenance cat and I do not need any other stresses like that. Will check out those links now

[Annabelle69]

OP, honestly, please don't get a lizard. I volunteer in animal rescue and we're constantly being asked to care for animals children have lost interest in, and weve run out of space now.

My advice to parents is "you are not getting a pet for your child, you are getting a pet for yourself, and if your child takes an interest that's a bonus".

Bearded Dragons live 10-15 years. My friend had a Lizard that lived to 26! TWENTY SIX.

Also Vivariums, expect bigger energy bills, as they are expensive.

I understand your son would love a pet, but I'd suggest something with a shorter lifespan that is easier for you to look after. Hamsters are suitable from 8 years plus as very delicate, if he can wait perhaps.

[ArrangeYourFace1]

@Annabelle69

thank you - I fully appreciate what you’re saying and I absolutely don’t want all that added stress on my shoulders. I am very pro animal welfare and don’t want to end up with an unwanted pet.

[Lizzieismagic]

My ds has had a snake for 11 and a half years.. Apart from it escaping last week it is pretty stress free! We have had bearded dragons. Very good fun! If that's a good reptile description! Do not get a red iguana...

Ime they grow to about 7 foot and bite..
And it hurts.

[CoruciaLady]

In general captive breed snakes are easier to keep than lizards but don't bond with their owner like some lizards do. Also, they only need one meal (defrosted mouse > rat) per week 🐍!
Get him to join the BHS Young Herpetologists at Join here. They have loads of information available and send out very interesting e-mails quite frequently,

[AlwaysLatte]

It's tricky having pets that can't share our environment. What about a pair of Guinea pigs, or cat?

[Bluettel]

I know this thread is a year old, but I couldn't help but jump in—especially if you or anyone else is still pondering the lizard question. Kids with a passion for animals are such a joy, aren't they? I hope his love for critters is still going strong!
If you haven't yet taken the plunge and are still considering a lizard, I have to say they can be very rewarding pets. I recently came across some info from pocketpets, and they really go into detail about the different types of lizards and what kind of care they require. The upfront costs for setting up the habitat can be a bit steep, but they're fairly low-maintenance pets once you have everything set up.