Reptiles can be great pets, but this might not be true for children. Reptiles need a special kind of care which children might not be able to grasp, and handling might pose health concerns for children as well. There have been reports tracing back to the occurrence of Salmonella cases to be associated with handling reptiles combined with improper sanitation and hygiene. With that said, children below the age of 5 years old must certainly not be permitted to handle reptiles of any kind.
For an older kid who would want to take care of reptiles, they need to understand the behavior of the reptile and its special needs prior to getting a pet reptile of their own. Most reptiles have a lifespan of approximately 10-20 years, a potential pet owner should understand the commitment of dealing with a reptile for the entirety of its lifespan.
Given that an older child is permitted to take care of a reptile as a pet, you should be there to supervise and provide assistance when needed especially with cleaning food bowls and water containers, tidying up the enclosure, providing food and drinking water plus checking the light, humidity, and the temperature of their environment.
Consult your veterinarian Matthews, NC about the best way to protect your pet from various health issues.
