Kids & pets...

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Posted by Niki on May 13, 2000 at 08:11:07:

In Reply to: tortoise for my 5 and 8 year old posted by Sarah on May 13, 2000 at 01:55:19:

Hi Sarah,
That's wise of you to investigate different animals
first. You have to look at it, like what's a pet
that YOU like because kids interests change quickly.
At that age they will be "assisting" you in the
care of any animal and need supervision at all times.
I have a 7 year old boy who does really well with
my animals, and is good about washing his hands
with soap after touching Teddy or any other animal.
He is not responsible for the care of any animals
though, heck many adults can't even seem to take
care of dogs and cats much less anything else.
Also - when you say "pet" what do you mean?
My son, plays outside when Teddy is outside and he's
OK with him, I don't know how your kids behave and
I would NEVER allow any of the neighborhood kids over
here with Teddy outside. No kids are ever allowed
in my house or backyard anyways. Tortoises are easily injured
or killed by dropping or stepping on them. As far
as "handling" maybe a few geckos or even a small
snake might be a better choice as these can be
held or allowed to climb into your hands. Tortoises
can be held also, some like it, some don't, and
the danger of dropping them is very great with
kids involved.
As far as the pool, torts can drown and this does
happen, many can climb really well. Small tortoises
however will need protection from predators like
dogs, racoons, large birds and cats etc... that
may be about. So outdoor pens will require a top
such as chicken wire. I think you may still need
some kind of indoor set-up for really bad weather
it'll depend on the species. I'd rule out the
larger species as they are recommended to have
100 X 100 foot pens minimum.
Do YOU want a tortoise because that's who'll be
getting it?! ha! ha! We went to the library and
got tons of books on reptiles/pets/animals and looked
at them. Keep looking into it, but I'd definitely
change the perspective and not consider reptiles as
childrens pets because they are not. They're pets
for adults and kids can enjoy them but not be
responsible for them. You'll hear some more
from folks here I'm sure. niki

Teddy my Tortoise and other pets...

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Comments:
: Hi Sarah, : That's wise of you to investigate different animals : first. You have to look at it, like what's a pet : that YOU like because kids interests change quickly. : At that age they will be "assisting" you in the : care of any animal and need supervision at all times. : I have a 7 year old boy who does really well with : my animals, and is good about washing his hands : with soap after touching Teddy or any other animal. : He is not responsible for the care of any animals : though, heck many adults can't even seem to take : care of dogs and cats much less anything else. : Also - when you say "pet" what do you mean? : My son, plays outside when Teddy is outside and he's : OK with him, I don't know how your kids behave and : I would NEVER allow any of the neighborhood kids over : here with Teddy outside. No kids are ever allowed : in my house or backyard anyways. Tortoises are easily injured : or killed by dropping or stepping on them. As far : as "handling" maybe a few geckos or even a small : snake might be a better choice as these can be : held or allowed to climb into your hands. Tortoises : can be held also, some like it, some don't, and : the danger of dropping them is very great with : kids involved. : As far as the pool, torts can drown and this does : happen, many can climb really well. Small tortoises : however will need protection from predators like : dogs, racoons, large birds and cats etc... that : may be about. So outdoor pens will require a top : such as chicken wire. I think you may still need : some kind of indoor set-up for really bad weather : it'll depend on the species. I'd rule out the : larger species as they are recommended to have : 100 X 100 foot pens minimum. : Do YOU want a tortoise because that's who'll be : getting it?! ha! ha! We went to the library and : got tons of books on reptiles/pets/animals and looked : at them. Keep looking into it, but I'd definitely : change the perspective and not consider reptiles as : childrens pets because they are not. They're pets : for adults and kids can enjoy them but not be : responsible for them. You'll hear some more : from folks here I'm sure. niki

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