3 Great Pets for Kids Who Love Dinosaurs
Ever since the movie Jurassic Park was released in theaters back in 1993, kids have been going crazy over dinosaurs. The idea of bringing a prehistoric animal back to life through genetic engineering fascinated young minds all over the world. And while the technology is not there yet to create real dinosaurs from ancient amber, there are other animals who have been around for millions of years that make great pets for kids. From little lizards to ancient fish, to legless reptiles who slither and creep, these are the three greatest pets for kids who love dinosaurs.
Chameleon
When we think of a dinosaur, the first thing that comes to our mind is a great lizard. After all, the word dinosaur literally means terrible lizard. Perhaps one of the first present-day lizards that come to mind when someone thinks of getting a reptile as a pet, is the common green iguana. And while this is a great option for some, thanks to movies like Tangled, chameleons are becoming increasingly popular.
The chameleon has been on this planet for a long time. In fact, scientists had determined that chameleons first stepped foot on Terra during the middle Paleocene period – somewhere between 56 and 66 million years ago. Granted dinosaurs lived during the Triassic period, some 243 million years ago, but any kid would have a fun time dressing up in their realistic TRex costume while playing with their new pet.
Arowana
When most kids think about dinosaurs, the idea of a fish doesn’t come to mind immediately. However, some of the oldest species of animals still living on this planet can be found under the water. There are a number of different fish species that can be dated back to the Jurassic era. One of the first fish that often come to mind when most adults think of prehistoric, is the Sturgeon, which has been around since the early Jurassic period – 174 to 201 million years ago.
But Sturgeon can grow to enormous proportions, and they do not make very good pets. One prehistoric fish that is commonly kept as a pet in a tank, is the Arowana. This particular species, which is very popular in Asian countries, dates back to the middle Jurassic period – roughly 140 million years ago.
Children's Python
But of course, we cannot forget about snakes. There are lots of different types of snakes all over the world. Some of these are venomous, while others are not. And some of these are more dangerous than others. When one thinks of keeping a snake as a pet the first species that comes to mind is that of a python. However, keeping a full-size python can be a daunting task. The children's python, however, which dates back to the Miocene period, has been on this planet for 2.6 to 23 million years. It is one of the smallest subspecies of Python and has become a very popular starter pet for enthusiasts.
Keeping a pet can be a fun and exciting experience for any child. It teaches them responsibility, while giving them something to show off to their friends. Because reptiles and fish are more sensitive to temperature changes, they will naturally require more care than other furry friends. However, they should not be overlooked as they are an excellent option to inspire your little one’s mind.