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best pets for kids

snakemom1961

snakemom1961

Spring is here!
On the "Today Show" this morning they showed different animals that are best pets for kids.

And they listed Corn snakes as best reptiles for kids. I was very happy about that. The other 2 they listed were Leopard gecko and turtle.

I just thought it was cool that our babies were listed as the #1 for best pet for kids in the reptile category.
 
I wouldn't want a turtle, even as an adult with decent resources to provide a habitat! (Not because I don't like turtles, but because I perceive them as difficult, or environmentally needy!)
 
I absolutely agree. I'm a newbie owner of a young creamsicle corn and my daughter absolutely loves him! I'm hoping she catches the "bug" as I am because there are so many worse things out there kids could be doing than sneaking snakes into the house.
 
Jack and Diesel agree!
DSCN3692.jpg
 
You have the cutest little boy (and snake)! I've found my guy so easy to care for, when I have children I'd definitely like them to be involved and not be scared of snakes. Especially corns!
 
akki_neko said:
You have the cutest little boy (and snake)! I've found my guy so easy to care for, when I have children I'd definitely like them to be involved and not be scared of snakes. Especially corns!
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Thanks! Kids are never scared of snakes naturally, from what I have observed. They usually pick up fear from adults(parents). I have always taught Jack to NEVER touch or pick up ANY snake or animal without my permission. He has no fear, so I want to make sure he doesn't get scared by grabing a bitey wild snake and such. I have actually had him pick up hatchlings so that he can see that the bite doesn't hurt. When they strike he says "aaaww..they are scared", because I have taught him that snakes only bite out of fear or when hungry...they are never "mean". I love seeing my kids enjoy nature. Anyhow, I am rambling.....
 
BTW, Jack can't even feel the hatchlings bite....forgot to add that so for those of you that don't know a baby corn bite..I am not sadistic!!!! :)
 
That's a good idea, to make sure he doesn't accidentally end up hurting himself. I don't understand how people could think a snake could be "mean" but I suppose if you've never been around them before you'd assume they have emotions like humans do.
 
Haha yeah I had my friend's year old corn bite at me, and it was more shock than anything. It didn't leave a mark at at all.
 
I'm happy to hear corns listed as the #1 for kids.....but adult participation and supervision is also a must. Properly instructing them on how to care for their snake is so important, as with any pet. I only wish as a kid, I had a corn, because I've missed out on a lot of good years learning about these wonderful snakes. I am making up for lost time now though :)
 
^ I agree. My kids love the snakes, but I'm more concerned with the safety of the snake than the kids at this point. They know that wild snakes or animals are not to be touched, but they adore their pets. The 6 yo is great with them. The 5 yo is still a bit rough and has a tendency to squeeze if I'm not right there keeping his hands open. None have ever struck (knock wood) and I'm glad because I'm sure the snake would be tossed to the ground. Hmmm....maybe I should start breeding sooner than I thought...you know...for the kids' sake. ;)
 
Nanci said:
I wouldn't want a turtle, even as an adult with decent resources to provide a habitat! (Not because I don't like turtles, but because I perceive them as difficult, or environmentally needy!)
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I know! I thought I wanted a turtle when I was a kid - I know better now. They are a lot of work and, quite frankly, I think a kid would find them boring.

(I kind of find them boring now. When I first held a snake I fell in love, when I first held a turtle I was like, "this is it?")
 
Kind of :-offtopic but today I went to the Columbus Zoo and was pleased to see that, in the reptile house, they had a honduran milk snake for people to touch. Most people stayed far away but a few kids ran right over and learned to "pet" from front to back and just the basics of snake anatomy. It was cool to see people giving snakes a chance for a change...
 
I've had a fair assortment of critters over the years, and I totally agree that corns are amazing reptile pets. They're far and away the lowest maintenance pets I've ever had; I spend a lot a time fussing over mine, but I know that they'd be fine if I had to miss a day of feeding, water changing, handling. That is a definite bonus for kids' pets. Their disposition is terrific, and their beauty is unparalleled. What's not to love?
 
Snakes in my opinion could be nominated for "best American pet for the 21st century" due to their low level care requirements and the fact that you could leave them alone for a long weekend, if not a week, with minimal care requirements (if any at all).

Turtles, on the other hand, are hella messy and I'd never reccomend one as pets for a kid.
 
snakemom1961 said:
On the "Today Show" this morning they showed different animals that are best pets for kids.

And they listed Corn snakes as best reptiles for kids. I was very happy about that. The other 2 they listed were Leopard gecko and turtle.

I just thought it was cool that our babies were listed as the #1 for best pet for kids in the reptile category.
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What no Badgers??? yeeesh..
badger.jpg
 
ratsncorns said:
Here is the link:

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/26738093#26658728


Jeff Corwin was great, but I wasn't too impressed by the hosts! The kids did better than the adults! I hated the looks on their faces when the rat came out :(
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I love Jeff Corwin but you're right about the hosts. What annoyed me was that they kept cutting him off when he was trying to talk about the animals. I understand that they need to keep up with timing and all, but they could have spoken more about the pets instead of freaking out over the animals.
 
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