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 10. Hermit CrabHermit crabs are interesting, low-maintenance pets. Their name comes from the shells they squeeze into, leaving only their front claws and eyes peeking out at the world. These small crustaceans require a daily diet of fresh food and water, plus a misting of water to keep them moist. Housing is pretty simple, too: A tank with gravel on the bottom will do nicely. Your child will need to be attentive to the hermit crab's behavior, since they do molt regularly and require progressively larger shells |  9. Small LizardSmall lizards can make for very interesting pets. But not every kind of lizard will work well for the novice pet owner. Iguanas and Savannah monitors start out cute and small, but they grow into lizards several feet in length -- and they're also capable of inflicting nasty bites. Instead, consider a leopard gecko or bearded dragon. These reptiles are good starter pets due to their docile nature, low-maintenance lifestyle and small size. Though delicate in their infancy, once they reach adulthood |  8. Small BirdThere are a few types of small birds that can make for a good introduction to the world of pet care. Canaries, for example, don't require a lot of one-on-one time, and a pair of society finches will happily keep one another entertained. All birds require regular cage cleaning and fresh food and water, along with a cage roomy enough for a bit of flying and some toys for amusement. Small birds don't like sudden movements or unexpected noises, so they're best cared for by older, calmer children. |
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 7. Gerbil, Hamster or Mousehese three tiny members of the rodent family are all considered classic pets for children. They are, by and large, good tempered. Their main requirements in life are food, water, a clean and comfy cage, and a wheel for exercise. Most small rodents can be adequately socialized with at least five minutes of handling per day. Plus, they're cute as buttons. The biggest thing to watch out for with all three animals is that they're excellent escape artists. |  6. Guinea PigOften overlooked in favor of their smaller cousins, these gentle rodents actually make great pets for kids. They rarely bite, they love to play hide and seek, and they'll squeak with excitement when their humans put in an appearance. Since they prefer to live in groups, consider adopting two female guinea pigs. (Two males will be prone to fighting, unless they come from the same litter, and a male/female pair will result in lots of tiny guinea pigs.) |  5. Fancy RatInterested in an intelligent, affectionate, self-cleaning pet that's suitable for your child? Get a rat. No, really. While their sewer-dwelling, dumpster diving cousins have a bad reputation, domesticated (or "fancy") rats shouldn't be tarred with the same brush. Fancy rats easily learn tricks, love to play with their humans, and meticulously groom themselves. Like guinea pigs, they're very social, so getting a pair is probably your best option. Older kids can play with their pet rats. |
 4. Betta FishA fish is another classic first pet, provided you pick the right one. Goldfish are the archetypal choice, but they're notoriously fragile and require a fairly elaborate tank-and-filter setup. Betta fish, however, do no require a filter or extremely large tank. Bettas are beautiful fish, often jewel-toned, with long flowing fins. The bowl will need regular cleaning and water changes; consider adding an aquatic snail to your bowl, which will help keep the algae at bay. (They're fun to watch, too.) |  3. Older Dog or CtThough you might be tempted by the overwhelming cuteness of puppies and kittens, young animals usually don't make great starter pets. They require a lot of patience and training in order to grow into well-adjusted pets, and kids generally don't have the experience to pull that off. Instead, adopt an adult dog or cat from an animal shelter. On the whole, older animals will be much more tolerant with kids, and pets that are already trained will make it easier for your child to care for them. |  2. Ant FarmAnt farms have come a long way since their initial popularity in the 1950s. The first ant farms consisted of two pieces of glass or plastic, between which was a layer of sand. Ants busily tunneled through the sand, visible on both sides, and provided the viewer with an interesting perspective on ant life and society. Today, there's a lot more variety; you can still get the original style, but now there are also farms with nutrient gel instead of sand, and 3-D setups instead of flat. |
 1. Smaller SnakesDon't freak out! Like rats, snakes are often misunderstood. Stay away from larger snake varieties -- and, of course, anything poisonous -- and you'll find that snakes can actually be pretty cool pets for kids. The most popular variety is the corn snake, which is nonvenomous and will only grow to about 4 or 5 feet (1.2 to 1.5 meters) in length. If you adopt a young corn snake, it'll become accustomed to you very quickly, happily curling up in your hands for warmth. |
Animal Lovers: 10 Great Kid-Friendly Pets
Are your kids harassing you to get a pet, but you are a little apprehensive about the whole thing??? It's okay, we've been there and went on the look out for pets that would solve your child's desires and not infringe too much on your own desires for a peaceful home without added responsibilities. Well, the folks over at TLC compiled a list of the "Best First Pets" for kids.
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