List of Reptiles for Children

Many kids want pets as they grow up. For some though, a puppy or kitten just won't cut it--they'll want something more exotic, like a reptile. Luckily, for parents willing to explore this request, there are some reptiles that make suitable pets for children of age six or older, as noted by Margaret A. Wissman, D.V.M., resident expert of ExoticPetVet.net. Kids should still be supervised when handling a pet reptile, since even a docile reptile can bite.

  1. Leopard Gecko

    • The leopard gecko is a reasonably common species of lizard that shouldn't be too hard to acquire and won't cost too much to purchase, as noted by the Green Iguana Society. The leopard gecko typically grows to around eight inches in size, so children must handle this pet with care, so as not to hurt it. The leopard gecko lives on insects and spends most of its day asleep, emerging at night; thus, a child might not see too much of his pet.

    Bearded Dragon

    • This breed of spiked lizard typically grows to around 20 inches and will need a large, top-opening living enclosure to keep it from escaping. The bearded dragon is usually gentle with a calm temper and doesn't need much in the way of training.

      The bearded dragon lives off both plant foods and a selection of tiny insects, such as worms and crickets. As pointed out by Melissa Kaplan, author of Iguanas For Dummies, the adult bearded dragon is prone to eat anything smaller than itself, so care should be taken when housing multiple bearded dragons together. Adult bearded dragons are known to bully and even try to eat smaller members of the species.

    Blue-Tongued Skink

    • Another option for families seeking a pet lizard is the blue-tongued skink, which grows a little larger than a bearded dragon, typically to 30 inches long. Like the bearded dragon, the blue-tongued skink is a reasonably docile lizard that lives off both plant foods and insects. According to the Green Iguana Society, however, the blue-tongued skink is not as widely seen in pet stores and can be difficult to find.

    Corn Snake

    • Corn snakes are speckled or spotted reptiles, often with maize patterns on their bellies, though these snakes come in a wide variety of appearances and colors. Corn snakes---like rat snakes, another popular choice of snake for children---don't grow to be much more than five feet in length and tend to be docile and accept handling by children. Corn snakes still require plenty of care though, and kids must be supervised when with the snake, since--as the Green Iguana Society points out--corn snakes are known to try and make a getaway when able.

      Corn snakes typically live for ten years, according to Melissa Kaplan, and live on a diet of tiny rodents which owners can buy ready-killed for the snake's consumption.