What Age Do You Introduce Snakes to Kids?

Hello everyone, I’m just wondering as a first time parent as to what age would be best to introduce my son to snakes. I’ve showed him pictures and showed him one I relocated out of the backyard but obviously he was not allowed to touch. I’m getting a baby Rosy Boa in a week so no handling will be done by anyone for a while to he can grow. Any advise or tips?


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How old is your child? As a parent of 4 children the only advice I can give is that it's entirely up to you. There's no right or wrong age to start your kids with animals. Aside from a brand new baby of course! Don't give a newborn a 3 foot Rosey boa to hold lol. Your gonna have to make the decision based on the disposition and trust your have of your animal and the gentleness and understanding that your child has. One of my kids just turned 4 and she loves my snakes and even handles them with supervision of course. But I only let her handle a couple that I trust because other ones I have can be a bit "touchy". But my 7 year old doesn't handle them at all because she's too jumpy and nervous around them. But holds her beardie all day if I let her! Whatever age you chose just practice safety and cleanliness. Never leave your child alone with it and make sure hands are clean before and after handling. As a parent you'll make the right decision.

Not a parent, but I got my first ball python at 7 and handled it unsupervised. I think it depends on your child and their personality and maturity. I think, within reason, there's not a clearcut right or wrong answer.

Not until they're old enough to know not to suddenly squeeze or drop. It's my observation that parents often have blind spots about their children's readiness or
understanding of things. Baby snakes are fragile...& even adult snakes often don't defend themselves when perhaps they should. Now if the snake is held only by
adults & shown, that's a different thing...but you'd better be locking the cage, because kids will be kids when you're not looking. ;)

Also, even if a child is sitting there holding a snake on their lap, never forget how easily they're distracted, & never under-estimate how fast a snake can slide into a
couch cushion & vanish, etc. It's impossible to give any set age, as kids are all individuals when it comes to their maturity.

We bought our daughter a ball python at 7 just before her 8th birthday. She asked for it as her gift and it was the first snake our family ever had. She had experience caring for our dog and had been equestrian riding since 4 so we felt she was responsible and respectful enough with animals. Our 5 year old son subsequently asked for his own ball python a couple months later for Christmas.

Between the two my daughter has been more responsible and my son needs to be monitored. Both must ask for permission before taking the snakes out and sometimes are told no. Both still tend to not close the cages properly so we follow through with that as well.

Overall, it has been very positive.

I changed my mind...new answer to "What Age Do You Introduce Snakes to Kids?"

As soon as your snakes are big enough to swallow them...:P (just kidding!!!)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I changed my mind...new answer to "What Age Do You Introduce Snakes to Kids?"

As soon as your snakes are big enough to swallow them...:P (just kidding!!!)

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Similar to my answer to my wife when she finally asked how big my Bredl's would get. I said, "twice your size", with a big smile. lol

Perhaps that's why she just asked if the snakes could be moved to the garage!!

I appreciate the responses everyone. He’s two and a half years old but very responsible and gentle with animals. I don’t plan on letting him touch anything till he’s closer till at least 4 because I want him to be able to understand in case he does get bitten that the snake is not a mean monster. I plan on doing supervised observation when my baby gets older.


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