Small children and big lizards

[Monza geckos]

Hi, I recently came home from a sleepover at one of my friends. I came home to my mum in the garden so I helped her out and there was the usual so did you have fun e.t.c and so on. She then said something completely unexpected that she might be getting 2 Ackies which I was delighted to hear and so happy until she said that sentence. One for you and one for your brother. Now I don't want to sound like a brat but I just expected they were both for me as my brother is an 8 year old, and a very hapless one. Not only that but the breeder is one of my dad's friends and he said he needed to get rid of them, so they could be the rejects with nipped tails and missing toes if they haven't been bought. So could someone first give me advice as to whether this is a good or bad idea taking them on, or whether I should confront my parents and say it's a bad idea. The only thing I can think of saying so far is to suggest something else more cute and furry that won't mind slightly heavier handling like a hamster.And the only way I can think of discouraging my mum is showing some bite pictures.

[Tongue Flicker]

Wow a young one rejecting the idea of a new pet? This is new. Anyways, i had my first big lizard when i was 9. It was a sailfin lizard that my brother used to keep. Petkeeping for kids is usually a case to case basis depending on the level of maturity, sense of responsibility as well as knowledge. Why not give it a shot first? If your mom suggests it and the breeder is your dad's friend, chances are they'll be able to help you with takin care of it. Careful though as this maybe a parental trap, checking if you could handle responsibility or you're just acting on whim.

Anyways good luck!

[Mentat]

Can you check on the lizards to see how they look like and their level of tameness? Then you will have some actual supportive evidence of your worries.

What is your brother's say on this? If your Mom is making decision; let her worry about your brother caring for his .

[Monza geckos]

I just spoke to my dad and the actual idea is that my parents are gonna say that they're both mine but he can handle them occasionally, and they told a fib to scare him not to bother then that they will bite if he goes near the tank unsupervised. I talked to the broader and their nice n fat and about 4 months old. So I will have to put up with them bolting and nipping for a while but I think they should tame down, I've had a Leo and a crestie in the past that both died of crypto. So I was nervous to get another rep but apparently the less inbred the less likely the chances of crypto(dunno whether that's true or not). He has a pair that are wc but long term captives 13 years old and still going strong apparently. I'm getting both for £100 or $170 so not bad. And I think my brother shouldn't be too dopey around them he used to try and get my Leo when I was out the room. That's the concern. This breeder has been in the business for 26 years I think he sold his motorbike to get his first pair direct from Australia a year or so before it became illegal

[Monza geckos]

Just to add I will be getting a viv lock

[poison]

Hi, Ridge tail monitors aka akies ( Varanus acanthurus sp) are a very small species of monitor. Generally reaching around 24" with some larger and some smaller.

[poison]

I'd also like to mention that these guys (like most monitors) are huge burrowers so provide lots of sandy soil.

[LilyPad]

I was his age when we got our iguana. I had many bites and welts over the years (she was aggressive), but learned a high level of appreciation for reptiles. I personally wouldn't discourage him from participating in care.

[Monza geckos]

Thanks for your opinions I really appreciate them, my breeder was saying that they love these rack systems where you stack up wooden crate pallets and saw a hole through the centre kinda like this.I was just wondering if i need to take a lot of care with the wood and sand paper I choose and if anyone else had already done something like this.

[poison]

Hi, is that a pic of your "breeders"? Don't mean to make him sound bad but if that is the setup than it is not proper. By any chance do you know his name? Most reptiles do enjoy these basking stacks and they are very useful in providing the animals with different temps to bask at while also providing cover. Monitors need soil. They dig down in the soil to gain moister even in desert species of reptiles like uros, leos and snakes like ball pythons. Females also need soil to deposit their eggs. With out it they would likely abandon the eggs or in most cases become egg bound.

[poison]

Sorry, looks like the image came from tegutalk.

[Monza geckos]

Oh no that's not his, he knows what he's doing. No I got that pic off Internet just for the basking stack example