3 Reasons To Buy A Leopard Gecko For Your Child
When it comes to meeting your child's desire for a pet, investing in a reptile can be a great way to give your child the pet he or she desires without having an animal overrun your home. Reptiles can be fascinating and friendly, but it's important that you select the right species if you want your child to have a positive experience.
The unique personalities of leopard geckos can make these lizards the perfect pet for an inexperienced child. Here are three reasons you should consider buying a gecko for your child.
1. Geckos remain small in size.
As you think about investing in a reptile for your child, you should take the mature size of the species into consideration. Many reptiles can become quite large, making it difficult to house these creatures in your home.
A leopard gecko will not grow too big to fit into a reasonably-sized terrarium. Male geckos mature between 8 and 11 inches. Females are slightly smaller, reaching 7-8 inches in length. This manageable size makes the leopard gecko a great pet for novice reptile owners and small children.
2. Geckos can thrive on pre-made food.
If the thought of handling live insects frightens you, then a leopard gecko might be the perfect reptile for your pet. Most reptiles need live prey in order to survive, but a leopard gecko can actually flourish on a pre-made food powder.
All you have to do is invest in a pre-made food that is designed specifically to meet the dietary demands of a gecko, and you will never have to feed your child's reptile live insects.
3. Geckos don't mind being handled.
Your child will likely want to take his or her reptile out of its terrarium and handle it on a regular basis. Some reptile species are extremely sensitive and can become easily stressed when handled by humans. Leopard geckos don't mind being handled, and they can form bonds with their owners when handled regularly.
Your child will be able to create obstacle courses for his or her gecko, watch a movie with the reptile, and even allow the leopard gecko to nest in his or her hair.
If you child wants a pet, then investing in a leopard gecko can be a great way to provide your child with the benefits of pet ownership while keeping the creature contained. Leopard geckos stay small, don't require live prey, and enjoy being handled, so they make great pets for kids.
Contact a pet store that has reptiles for sale to learn more about your options.