What do you think of young people with herps?

[Ginevive]

Young people today can be very, very Internet savvy. Look at that teenage girl who created a website of MySpace templates, and became a millionaire! My point is, that since young people have access and know-how online, they have a huge advantage to, say, me, when I was young. I admit as a kid/teen, I kept herps with no info other than what the pet stores gave me. I lost an iguana when I was younger, because he burnt on the hot-rock that my pet store told me to use.
I am not a parent (though I do have a stepdaughter that I see pretty often.) I am sure that good parents know whether their kids are capable of keeping herps. I would advise though, that of course kids can be fickle. Parents should know proper care of the animals as well and consider themselves their owners.
I guess that it depends though. If an older kid/teen is enamored by a certain animal, and committed to keeping it, then do I think that the parents have to retain responsibility for the animal? Yes, and no. Yes, because it is living under their roof. No, because by this age, I would not like it if a committed, responsible teen missed their chance at owning a certain animal that they could care for, just because of parental ignorance and fear.

[Ginevive]

maybe i'm biased but i'm a young person and as such think of it as being ok to own herps as a kids with permission of the parents. when selling my snakes i always told the neighborhood kids that if they wanted to buy a snake i needed to talk with both parents first

That sounds smart. Otherwise, a bunch of angry parents could be knocking at your door !

[Allie]

Young people today can be very, very Internet savvy. Look at that teenage girl who created a website of MySpace templates, and became a millionaire! My point is, that since young people have access and know-how online, they have a huge advantage to, say, me, when I was young. I admit as a kid/teen, I kept herps with no info other than what the pet stores gave me. I lost an iguana when I was younger, because he burnt on the hot-rock that my pet store told me to use.
I am not a parent (though I do have a stepdaughter that I see pretty often.) I am sure that good parents know whether their kids are capable of keeping herps. I would advise though, that of course kids can be fickle. Parents should know proper care of the animals as well and consider themselves their owners.
I guess that it depends though. If an older kid/teen is enamored by a certain animal, and committed to keeping it, then do I think that the parents have to retain responsibility for the animal? Yes, and no. Yes, because it is living under their roof. No, because by this age, I would not like it if a committed, responsible teen missed their chance at owning a certain animal that they could care for, just because of parental ignorance and fear.

ITA. My daughter is only 9 and she can find info on anything online. It's scary really. Even before she got her ball we found tons of pages bookmarked and in her history researching husbandry and cost. It was definately an "Awww" moment. She really wanted one and knew that she'd need to be setup before it came in the house. Some kids really can handle most of the responsibility on their own. Of course, we got a snake knowing that we may be the ones caring for it at some point in the future. We wouldn't have gotten one if we didn't want it too.

She desperately wants an iguana too (my sister has two). However, I'm not ready for an iguana yet so that one will wait until she's older especially since she wants to rescue one. She feels that there are too many out there in bad situations to get a baby. See....she has done her research.

[ADEE]

I think if a FAMILY is educated on the animal they choose to keep and take care of it PROPERLY than its a wonderful thing. I pride myself in exposing my children to different animals, insects, exc. Our kids are 3½ & almost 2 and neither of them are ever left alone with ANY animal of any kind. We know what our kids are capeable of. They can take part in helping (holding papertowels when we clean for example) keep them clean, feeding, holding, exc. I think its wonderful. There are alot of kids (Their cousins included) who are totally terrified of insects and reptiles because their parents dont like them and i find that sad. there is such an interesting world in herps (and all animals really) and i think all kids should have the joy of having an animal they can call their own, even if the parents are doing most of the work.

from me for getting kids involved with animals for sure!

[Snakeman]

I think kids owning any kind of pet is good for their sense of responsibility and gives them an early understanding of and love for animals. HOWEVER...I think they should only own pets, and herps especially, if they are old enough to handle and understand the needs of the animal, can do their research on the selected pet themselves, can give at least basic care to the animal, and above all do not see the pet as a trophy or thing that makes them cool.

exactly what i was gonna say

[Ginevive]

It is great to see kids take an interest in herps My niece just turned 3. You ask her "what's at Aunt Jen's house?" and she hisses like a snake Cutest thing on earth to see.

[BulldogBalls]

I also didn't vote because my answer is not included. I think an interest in animals in general is great.. I see way too many adults using scare tactics on children and making them afraid of things. Parent doesn't like dogs? Parent tells child dogs are mean and they bite.. kid is afraid of dogs, grows up, begins new cycle of creating more fear towards dogs. I have heard parents use snakes and alligators and such as scare tactics to make the kid mind "If you don't do this the giant snake in the sewer will eat you in your sleep!" Not to say this always happens but it is sad how often it does happen.

I train dogs, I go to people's homes and evaluate the issues. There are a lot of kids out there that are better with animals than their patents, they learn faster, and more enthusiastic about learning to care for and own pets, etc.

I also know a lot of kids that just love torturing things. It is disturbing and sad as I am related to 3 of them.

I don't see a general age range that should be followed regarding children and animals, either. Some young children are actually very good with animals, some older children and teens are horrible with them. It all depends on upbringing, experiences, environment, and personality.

Owning large dogs and ferrets and cats and birds and having had horses among other things, to me it isn't the age of the child, it isn't how well the child minds their parents, its how they act with supervision with the animal. The main problem I see in any animal-child interaction is lack of supervision. This is what causes problems because people forget that kids are kids and may have been told not to do something but are not capable of understanding the whys and hows and whens.

I didn't read all of the posts, so I am really sorry if I just repeated what anyone said. I normally do read everything first but I'm in a bit of a hurry, had to get some thoughts out!

[stangs13]

I right now am 15 and I own 8 snakes. 6 of which will be breeders. I pay for everything and I mean everything! My parents bought the ball for my birthday for me, for my future breedings, thats the only thing they payed for. I bought all my FT rats and now my breeding rats. I am doing this all on my own! I realy put my mind to it. Really researched, I think since I did it any other kid can! I did of course havemy parents permition for everything. Give a kid qcomp access and some hard earned cash and he can do alot... LOL.

[frankykeno]

Justin you are one of those young herpers that stands as a very good example for others. I've enjoyed watching you, through the online communities, grow and develop your skills. You have the best tool set a herper can have.....an inquisitive mind, a responsible and caring concern for the creatures you keep, a respect for the wisdom of others and a determination to keep learning and growing yourself.

It's a pure joy to watch you and other young people like you maturing in this hobby. You'll be the future of what we all do and with more young herpers like this, we have a very fine future to look forward to I think.

[_Venom_]

I am 18.
Some kids can do it.