Age For Snake Owners

Everyone starts at a different age keeping snakes some younger some older at what age do you think somebody should start taking care of snakes.

I personally just base it off of maturity and even more so responsibility. What are your thoughts?

I agree, maturity and responsibility. I kept my first snake and several lizards at 8 years old. I was definitely responsible enough, but I wasn't mature enough to do the right research. I just did what the guys at the pet store said, and the lizards lived for many years but there are many things I did wrong.

I'd say it also depends on how many snakes you're talking about. My 8 yr old daughter has her own snake. She does water changes, poop collecting, feeding, handling, etc all on her own. I'm the temp/humidity checker. That's just one snake though. She also feeds the dogs and the fish. I don't think one snake is too hard for even a responsible 6 year old. I think it really depends on the interest level of the kiddo, too.

I had my firsts snakes at the age of 7; my dad helped get me started and assisted with much of the work, but I did participate.
That being said, I think kids as young as 5 can find pleasure and education in keeping snakes provided their parents are there to help them.

I think it's a case by case basis, and depends on the interest and maturity of the child in question. I also think there should be adult oversight on any animal a child is responsible for. I agree with a previous reply that it also depends on the number of snakes in question. One or two is very different from half a dozen or more.

I had my first snake when I was still in elementary school. I don't remember my exact age, but I think I was around 7 years old (3rd grade-ish). It was a ball python. I listened to the guys at the pet store, read the books my parents bought me, and did everything (humidity and temperature monitoring, cage cleaning, watering, feeding, handling, etc) on my own. That snake did very well, thrived even (only issue he ever had was one case of mites). I wouldn't trust every child to be able to do that though.

I was 19 when I got my first pair of leos, then a few months later I was on to balls.

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I think parents should judge on a individual basis and not give in if their gut says, "NO!" I get tired of all the posts on Craig's List that say, " I got my kid a ____ and he's lost interest so it has to go." I swear there is at least a half dozen post every day on there like that. More parents should think about this subject before giving in to any animal. They are NOT disposable!

Both my kids have been around reptiles since the first day they came home from the hospital.

My oldest will be 6 in 2 weeks and my youngest just turned 3. They both share a het albino female hatchling they just got in July.

I of course am the main care taker of her but if I ever need any help with taking care of the reptiles I don't even have to holler for them because they are usually right behind me when I'm in the reptile room. If they're not they will be in 5 minutes when they notice im in there.

They love reptiles, and you can see how there eyes light up when I open a tub and they get to hold one of the snakes.

They deal with putting rats into tubs for me during feeding. They also help clean, sanitize, take temperatures and handling.

I believe there is no age limit in learning or the care giving of reptiles as long as there is another responsible adult/person around for helping.

It's really different for everyone. My oldest son got his first snake 3 years ago at age 9 and just recently for his second at age 12.
However my middle son is 11 and I would never dream of getting him one. He would set it all up in at tank and then forget about it.
Different personalities...so every kid/person/situation would be different.


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12 years, four months, and 19 days at the stroke of midnight. and no sooner.