Reptile Pets That Like to Be Held

When someone thinks of a family pet, they are usually thinking of a fluffy puppy or cuddly kitten. Frogs, snakes and lizards are not always thought of as being soft or cuddly. But there are many people who have reptiles as pets. Some of the attraction is the low cost of buying a reptile, although the cost of maintaining them can sometimes be the same as a dog or cat. Many people also find them fascinating to watch. If you are looking for a suitable reptile to add to your family, look for a species that doesn't mind being held. It should be noted that no reptile actually likes to be held, but there are a few that will tolerate human contact fairly well.

  1. Snakes

    • Although they may seem slimy and cold, snakes can actually be very docile creatures. They are very tolerant of human interaction and do not mind being held. They are even-tempered, which makes them good starter pets for kids or individuals just starting out with reptiles. It is important, though, to make sure their cages are tightly closed, since snakes are very good at escaping from their shelters. Owning snakes is not for the squeamish, because their diet consists of mice, which are fed to them pre-killed. The best snakes for pet purchase are corn snakes, king snakes and ball pythons. Ball pythons have heavier bodies and grow up to 4 feet. Because they are bigger than the other two, they may be easier to hold, especially for young children. On a side note, it is important not to handle a snake after it has eaten, due to the possibility of regurgitation.

    Bearded Dragons

    • Some members of the lizard family make very good reptile pets. The bearded dragon makes a good pet and is safe for children to handle. The dragon is popular as a pet, due to its lively personality. The cost of a bearded dragon is relatively low, and it is a hardy animal. It is best to buy a bearded dragon when it is at least six months old, because it is easier to handle than a hatchling. A bearded dragon can grow to up to 2 feet at full maturity and needs at least a 50-gallon tank for proper housing. Feeding a bearded dragon does not have the same "ick" factor as a snake. It likes green vegetables and insects.

    Leopard Geckos

    • Another member of the lizard family is the leopard gecko. It does not grow as large as the bearded dragon. At its full height, it only reaches 8 inches. Because of its smaller size. it only requires a 20-gallon terrarium to be comfortable. Like the dragon, its diet consists of insects. It does not mind handling, which makes it a good pet. If you are buying one for a child, however, you may want to think twice, because geckos are nocturnal and will most likely be asleep during children's play time.

    Skinks

    • The Berber/Schneider skink and blue-tongue skink also make good reptile pets. Their personalities are rather tame, making them good pets for children. At full maturity, a blue-tongue skink can be almost 30 inches long, so they require a very big tank. They are omnivorous, meaning they eat both insects and vegetables. Blue-tongue skinks are somewhat expensive, which may lessen their appeal. Berber/Schneider skinks only grow to 18 inches, with a diet comparable to that of the blue-tongue skink.