What reptile would be easy to take care of?

Question

I would like to set up a aquarium for my 13 yr old grandson.Turtle or iguana. I have a 35 Gallon aquarium.What would be best for him to take care of? please send some helpful hint for set up and care. Thanks

Answer 1

i would say get a bearded dragon, they are much easier to care for than a turtle or iguana, they are easily handled if you have the time  to handle it every day so it gets used to you, and um to the person above me, i am 14 and i got a turtle for my 14th birthday and it is doing perfectly fine, i researched about a month before i got it so i knew how to care for it,

also turtles and iguanas would need a much bigger space than a 35 gallon aquarium...

Answer 2

The 35 gallon tank would be too small for an iguana. The young ones should not be in anything smaller then a 55 gallon tank, and adult enclosure will need to be 6-7ft tall x 8-10ft long x 4ft. Iguanas can be dominate or submissive. Iguanas take a lot of work and time to "tame/socialize". If you are the primary care giver, the iguana may or may not take to your grandson. The do require UVB, heat, humidity. When older they can leave very bad bites. I think you should read some information on iguanas.

Out of those 2, I'd say a turtle.

There are many other reptiles that are easy to take care of, that don't require too much. Bearded Dragons make 1st reptile the best choice. They do require a larger tank, UVB, heat, but usually are very social and nice.

Iguana:

http://www.greenigsociety.org/ - http://www.iguanaden.org/ - http://www.anapsid.org/iguana/index.html

Reptile choices/care:

http://www.anapsid.org/mainlizards.html - http://www.reptilerooms.com/index.php?ca... - http://www.baskingspot.com/ - http://www.reptilecare.com/index.html

Answer 3

Unless you plan on maintaining the reptile, I would suggest you do not get anything for your grandson. A lot of Reptiles are nice and great pets but all reptiles require a lot of work and maintenance. A Reptile alone could cost you $50-$500 itself plus lights and various other equipment would cost you around $200-$300 (remembered you have a tank already)

Monthly feeding costs could be $25-$50/month or More.

If you wanted the reptile to be friendly you would need time to dedicate to socialize him. Food preparation and selection is very strict as either could result in a mistake and result in your reptile dying.  

Reptiles require constant UVA light which will cost you another $50-$150/per 4-6 months.

Since you have a aquarium already just fill it with fish and be on your way.

Reptiles (Least Expensive -> Most Expensive)

Crested Gecko

Gecko's

Anole's

Bearded Dragon's

Monitor's

Small Snake's (Enclosure alone can be $100.00+/-)

Large Snake's (Enclosure alone can be $700.00+)

Anyone Feel Free To Correct Me If I am Wrong.

Answer 4

I cannot advise on turtles as I have never kept any, but iguana?? Have you done your research? Do not under any circumstances get an iguana, especially for a kid. If it was for yourself, you had an entire room dedicated for it and the knowledge, then fair enough. Don't go for something because they're pretty or an impressive size, go for something small and easy to look after.

Answer 5

a 35 gallon wouldn’t last a iguana 3 months they get big nasty and require huge cages and trust me have a 6 foot lizard that is prone to mood swings and has very specific care needs and a bite than needs stiches isnt as much fun as it sounds.

also a young turtle will be ok in a 35 for a while be even the smaller species get to 6 - 8 inches and a turtle needs 10 gallons for every inch so you'll need a 60 - 80 gallon tank for even the smallest species.

both igunanas and turtles both require expensive lighting and heating equipment

also does this child know what your buying him "surprise" reptiles are never a good idea personally i dont think a 13 yr old has the maturity for caring for these animals. they require alot of research monitoring and have exacting care standards. there great if u can care for them but become a burden to those who cant

Answer 6

Uhhhhhhhh... those too are about the WORST beginner reptiles you could possibly have.

Iguanas:

Get six feet long

Need an extremely large cage, a small room, or a whole house (like a dog)

REQUIRE full spectrum UV (A and B)

Males get quite agressive and could easily injure a kid

Eat a lot of food and need very hard to meet nutritional requirements

Tortoise (Land Turtle):

Must be kept outside, never in an aquarium

Hibernate half the year

Have hard to meet nutritional requirements

Aquatic Turtle:

Create a lot of waste

Need a large enclosure

Need a powerful HOB or External Canister filter

Are hard to feed (pellets, live feeder fish, vegetables, insects, etc.)

Generally mean and hate to be interacted with

For a first, small, handleable reptile for a kid, I would suggest a Leopard Gecko, a Bearded Dragon, a Ball Python, or Green Tree Frogs.  Those are all very easy and nice.

Answer 7

nothing