• Responding to email notices you receive.
    **************************************************
    In short, DON'T! Email notices are to ONLY alert you of a reply to your private message or your ad on this site. Replying to the email just wastes your time as it goes NOWHERE, and probably pisses off the person you thought you replied to when they think you just ignored them. So instead of complaining to me about your messages not being replied to from this site via email, please READ that email notice that plainly states what you need to do in order to reply to who you are trying to converse with.

  • IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ!! About the Google Adsense ads being displayed

    =====================
    Posted 08/15/2025
    =====================


    Yeah, I know. They are a pain in the butt. But they pay the bills to keep my server running. Just a fact of life, I am afraid.

    Want to get rid of them? Simple. Just become a Contributor level member or above and they will be gone. -> Please click HERE."

    Is that too much for me to ask of you to keep this site running? Well, sorry about that. I too wish I could get everything for free. But alas.....

    =====================
    Addendum: 01/10/2026
    =====================


    Google Adsense ad revenue for December, 2025 was just $30 over the cost of the lease for the server running this site. So, in effect, the money providing the incentive for me to continue running this site is coming SOLELY from the paid memberships and sponsorships here. Which honestly ain't much....

Suggestions for first reptile for 9 year old daughter?

R

robert7107

New member
Joined
Jun 14, 2016
Messages
60
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
shingle springs ca
So my nine-year-old daughter has started to show an interest in reptiles I have over 12 years of experience with them but haven't own any for almost 8 years bearded dragons are one of the choices were looking at juvenile or subs adults. Also looking at ball pythons an boa constrictor. Looking at something that will be easy to handle and also not costly overall would be starting from scratch...
 
While many suggest a ball python as a first snake because they are docile, I'm going to go against the grain and say pick a different species. BP's tend to be picky little so-and-so's if not set up perfectly, they're primarily active at night, and they can get stressed if over-handled.

King, corn, and milk snakes are easy to keep, very active, typically chill to handle, and are a nice size for keeping as pets.

A common or even CA BCI would also be a good choice, just bear in mind it may eventually need a large enclosure as an adult; I only use tubs and PVC enclosures for mine due to their humidity requirements. If you're willing to take a chance on an older animal you can find them dirt cheap on CL or rescues.

A Dumerils boa is another option, they aren't as active as BCI's and are a thick, couch-potato type snake.

I'm not into lizards so someone else will have to comment on those.
 
Destroyer_Man said:
I'd say get a wc adult Burmese python


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
That's just wrong!

I agree with Justin, a leopard gecko wouldn't be a bad option. They don't need special lights like beardies do and typically they don't leave teeth marks.
 
If she wants something bigger and more huggable than a leo, I'd say a Northern blue-tongue skink.
 
I would say if she's going for a snake, choose ball pythons or corn snakes. Ball pythons are supper laid back, and most have a great attitude. They do require more humidity, and they are nocturnal. But I pull all of mine out throughout the day and they do fine. Corn snakes are great because they get long, but they're still pretty thin. The only downside would be that they're kink of squirmy. They're not as laid back as ball pythons.

Lizards, would be bearded dragons all the way. They're hearty lizards with GREAT personalities. They live for a while as well. If trained well they can be supper laid back and chill!

My personal choice would be a Northern Blue Tongue Skink. They'll eat anything, and I think their personalities out rank the bearded dragon. They're hard to get a hold of, but they really are amazing!!! :)

Owns:
8 ball pythons
2 chameleons
1 Mountain horned dragon
2 Northern Blue tongue skinks.
 
I'd say:
Snakes in increasing size -- Corn or Thayeri King ... Black Milk ... Dumerils Boa
Lizards in increasing size -- Leopard Gecko or Gargoyle ... Uro .. Blue-Tongue
 
I LOVE bearded dragons. Pretty easy to take care of, most have fairly mellow personalities. And if it's in your budget some have really incredible color these days. Take a look at some of the deep red ones, or the citrus. Some even have some purple.
I visited a home one time where the parents had bought a bearded dragon for their youngster but they kept it in the living room in a HUGE aquarium, grapevine wood, all the extras. So not only was it a family pet but the beautiful habitat was a focal point for the living room.
 
I would have to Say ether a Bearded Dragon, Corn Snake, or Blue Tounge Skink. And if she seems to do ok with one of those maybe when shes older and wants something bigger a Argentine Black and White Tegu but they can be a little feisty when there younger but are like puppy dogs when they mature.
 
Having had some experience with several types of snakes here is my 2 cents from what I experienced. This is my opinion only so no need to take it personal if you disagree. Ball pythons (finicky eaters - need plenty of humidity, tons of color variations), kings (great eaters but a little less tolerant of handling, tons of color variations),corns (nice temperament, make sure they are feeding on mice - of any size, not too picky about setup, tons of color variations), children's python (good eaters, don't grow very large, good temperament, not too picky about setup), Colombian rainbow boa (good eaters, good temperament, not too picky about setup,don't grow too large).

Good luck with whatever your choice. Bottom line for me, if she likes it and stays interested, you did good! She'll help decide from there on. :)
 
I don't have experience with snakes, however, I would suggest either a crested or gargoyle gecko or if she wants something bigger, a blue tongue skink. I have all 3 and my bluey is a northern and is a bit feisty but it's still a baby and getting used to the new surroundings of my home. They mellow out as they get older and turn into sweethearts.
 
I would say go with a nile monitor. Great for kids!



Totally kidding....don't get a nile monitor....my first lizards were schneider skinks and leopard geckos. Very easy to care for. Also had an armadillo lizard, which was my favorite until I got into crocodile skinks and ackies (these two aren't suggestions lol)
 
Back
Top