How can I convince my parents to let me get a reptile?

Question

I've always really loved reptiles, but my step-mom doesn't seem to share my opinion. I'm not irresponsible (I have other animals of my own), it just seems she's biased towards reptiles. How can I convince her that it wouldn't be that bad? My dad's fine with it ... as long as she is.

I used to have Australian Bearded Dragons before my dad met her, and I really enjoyed them. Reptiles that eat rodents are a definite no. I don't think she'd appreciate having frozen mice in her freezer. Haha. Any reptile suggestions?

Answer 1

Explain to your dad and step-mom (dad should be there so he hears it too), that reptiles are not gross, or slimy, or venomous (well, most of them).  Tell them that they make excellent pets.  They do not smell, attack (the type most people like as pets don't), make noise, and most are relatively small and non-space consuming.  Here is a list of some good, easy, non-rodent eating reptiles:

Leopard Gecko

Bearded Dragon

Green Anole

Bahama (Brown) Anole

Crested Gecko

Eastern Box Turtle

Red Eared Slider, Map Turtle, or other aquatic turtle

Russian Tortoise

Green Tree Frog

White's Tree Frog

Pac Man Frog

Any type of Toad really

Collared Lizard

Rough Green Snake (eats insects, not rodents)

Tartantula (Mexican Red Knee, Brazilian Black, Pink Toe)

Lined, Gold Dust, Madagascar Giant, or Standing's Day Gecko

Emerald Swift

Haitian Curly Tailed Lizard

Long Tailed Grass Lizard

Jewelled Lacerta

African Fat Tailed Gecko

Central American Banded Gecko

Skunk Gecko

Red Eyed Tree Frog

Pictus Gecko

Flying Gecko

Fantastic Leaf Tailed Gecko

House Gecko

Glass Lizard

Jone's Armadillo Lizard

Ackies Monitor

Blue Tounged Skink

Pink Tounged Skink

Five Lined Racer Skink

Red Eyed Crocodile Skink

Mali Uromastyx

Egyptian Uromastyx

You should eliminate ones you already know you won't like.  Let's say you don't want a Bearded Dragon again, or you hate frogs, or your step mom is afraid of Tarantulas and Snakes, or Skinks gross you out.  Or you just want a small lizard so you want a gecko.  But get it down to a group of herps (reptiles and amphibians) then research the individual ones and pick your favourite.  After you have selected the species do intense research on that one species and go for it!

Answer 2

I had this same problem about a month ago!

Here's what I did:

First, I explained to my parents how reptiles can make extremely good pets and how they are usually low maintenance compared to something like a dog. I also let them look at some websites so they could get the general idea of what would be required. They didn't think it seemed like too much, (woo hoo!)

Next, I took my dad to a reptile shop so he could see just how cool and cute reptiles could be. The shop keeper also let him have a hold of a corn snake, (which happened to be the one that I chose eventually), which he really enjoyed.

Also, I think it's a good idea to make some sort of deal with your parents. For example, "if I get this grade on my test then I can have a reptile" or something along those lines. Mine was simple, as my younger sister was already getting a hamster; I asked if I could get my snake so we would both have a pet, but you may need to do a bit more thinking!

I hope this helped!

Answer 3

you should get a green anole i have one and they are little they dont bother any thing. i recomend a twenty gallon tank. just tell ur step mom  all this they eat crickets, meal worms and they are not expensive to buy so tell her that and good luck.

Answer 4

I just love my 4 ft. Iguana Cleopatra Houdini.Had her for 8 yrs. Now.if your Step Mom doesn't know that much or anything about Iguanas then simply take a ride to the Pet Store.  Show her how small and cute they are. As a bonus they are relatively inexpensive.  Usually in the 15 or 20 dollar range. Some stores even sell a starter set complete with a "small" aquarium. Perhaps she might even like the fact that it looks like a  tiny dinosaur!   Best of Luck.