first pet

[flamepony12]

Mac, "my brother's" tortoise, is a VERY easy keeper. Literally about one step up from hermit crabs. They just need a once a month tank bedding change and daily fruits and vegetables. I think they're kind of cute too. >.<

[Jessika]

How old is he? I DO NOT recommend hamsters or guinea pigs to anyone under the age of 10. Hamsters have the tendacy to bite, and children sometimes can't quite grasp the concept to not to mess with the hamster. And with guinea pigs.. their legs are so short, if they fall even a short distance they can break their back and be paralyzed or die.

And whoever said gerbils bite??? That's not true. They bite MUCH less than hamsters! I recommend a gerbil over a hamster for kids because they are much less prone to biting, but they are FAST!!!

A turtle or tortoise is a good choice (there IS a difference! Tortoise = primarily land dwelling; turtle = primarily water dwelling) but as you said he is afraid of them, so you don't want to get him something he is afraid of.

What about a bird?

[dab_20]

I would recommend maybe a gerbil or a fish or maybe a bird. (like a parakeet, cockatiel, or smaller birds like love birds)

[cali]

No gerbils, I don't recommend them to kids, they tend to be biters no matter how "tame" they are

I have been breeding gerbils since I was 8 years old, they I would say they are a WAY better choice then hamsters for kids, no normal tempered gerbil bites for no reason, they are very playful, they love people, they tame easy, and they are neither nocternasl nor diaternal, which means kids can play with them whenever they want to play, and they dont have to adust to the animals schedual. they are however as others mentoned, very fast, but once tamed you can let them run around on you or the couch or bed while watcing TV etc.. I have had ones that just run off the edge of the bed, but most are happy to stay with there mommy and and daddy

lol I see I am not the only one who commented on this one hehe

[My Peanuts]

I wasn't saying guinea pigs are bad. I'm just worried that they might be too much responsibility for an 8 year old. ALL animals have a smell and if that's a big concern then maybe he isn't ready. My guinea pig was a pig; I was just offering my opinion.