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The easiest pets for a first-time owner

Forgiving animals with simple setups and well-known care, ranked by how little can go wrong: daily time first, then cost.

  1. 01Isopod colonyHands-off: best watched · 12×7×6 in enclosureUSDA APHIS says a PPQ 526 permit is required to own many isopod species and to move invertebrates across state lines. Buy from US breeders who follow these rules, ask about a species before buying, and never release isopods outdoors.
    Level
    Beginner
    First year
    $95–$210
    Daily
    1–3 min
    Lives
    2–4 yr
  2. 02TarantulaHands-off: best watched · 12×12×12 in enclosureBrachypelma species (such as Mexican red-knees) are listed on CITES Appendix II, so international shipments need permits; buy captive-bred animals from established US breeders.
    Level
    Beginner
    First year
    $90–$231
    Daily
    1–3 min
    Lives
    5–25 yr
  3. 03Mystery snailHands-off: best watched · 5 gal tankPomacea diffusa, the true mystery snail, can be moved across state lines without a USDA permit, but other apple snails such as Pomacea canaliculata are federally restricted pests and are sometimes sold under the same name. Buy from a reputable seller, check any state rules, and never release snails or eggs outdoors.
    Level
    Beginner
    First year
    $142–$274
    Daily
    3–5 min
    Lives
    1–2 yr
  4. 04Freshwater shrimpHands-off: best watched · 5 gal tank
    Level
    Beginner
    First year
    $166–$336
    Daily
    2–5 min
    Lives
    1–2 yr
  5. 05Emperor scorpionHands-off: best watched · 20×10×12 in enclosureLegal in most of the US. Emperor scorpions are on CITES Appendix II and most sold here are wild-caught imports from West Africa, so buy from a reputable dealer. Some cities and counties restrict venomous animals; check local rules.
    Level
    Beginner
    First year
    $200–$414
    Daily
    2–5 min
    Lives
    5–8 yr
  6. 06Praying mantisTolerates brief handling · 8×8×12 in enclosureNever release a pet mantis or its egg cases (oothecae) outdoors, as non-native species can harm native insects. Shipping live insects across state lines can require a USDA APHIS permit, so buy from US sellers who follow these rules.
    Level
    Beginner
    First year
    $150–$319
    Daily
    5–10 min
    Lives
    up to 1 year
  7. 07Betta fishHands-off: best watched · 5 gal tank
    Level
    Beginner
    First year
    $181–$357
    Daily
    5–10 min
    Lives
    3–5 yr
  8. 08African dwarf frogHands-off: best watched · 10 gal tankAfrican dwarf frogs are legal in most of the US. Don't confuse them with African clawed frogs, which California and several other states ban or require permits for.
    Level
    Beginner
    First year
    $199–$396
    Daily
    5–10 min
    Lives
    5–10 yr
  9. 09GuppyHands-off: best watched · 10 gal tank
    Level
    Beginner
    First year
    $217–$439
    Daily
    5–10 min
    Lives
    2–3 yr
  10. 10Bristlenose plecoHands-off: best watched · 20 gal tank
    Level
    Beginner
    First year
    $258–$500
    Daily
    5–10 min
    Lives
    5–12 yr
  11. 11Neon tetraHands-off: best watched · 20 gal tank
    Level
    Beginner
    First year
    $297–$570
    Daily
    5–10 min
    Lives
    5–8 yr
  12. 12Corn snakeTolerates brief handling · 48×24×24 in enclosureCorn snakes are native to Georgia, where state law generally prohibits keeping them as pets, and all snakes are illegal to keep in Hawaii. Check state and local wildlife regulations before acquiring one.
    Level
    Beginner
    First year
    $569–$974
    Daily
    5–10 min
    Lives
    15–25 yr
  13. 13Ball pythonTolerates brief handling · 48×24×24 in enclosureSnakes, including ball pythons, are illegal to keep in Hawaii. Elsewhere, check state and municipal regulations, as some cities restrict keeping non-native constrictor snakes.
    Level
    Beginner
    First year
    $626–$1,195
    Daily
    5–10 min
    Lives
    20–30 yr
  14. 14Milk snakeTolerates brief handling · 48×24×24 in enclosureAll snakes are illegal to keep in Hawaii. Some states protect their native milk snakes, so buy captive-bred and check state wildlife rules.
    Level
    Beginner
    First year
    $637–$1,196
    Daily
    5–10 min
    Lives
    15–25 yr
  15. 15HamsterTolerates brief handling · 40×20×20 in cageHamsters are legal across most of the US, but Hawaii bans all pet hamster species to protect island ecosystems, and California restricts the Chinese hamster (Syrian and Phodopus dwarf hamsters are allowed).
    Level
    Beginner
    First year
    $311–$713
    Daily
    5–15 min
    Lives
    2–3 yr
  16. 16Pacman frogHands-off: best watched · 24×18×18 in enclosurePacman frogs are generally legal across the US, but local ordinances or state wildlife laws may restrict exotic pet ownership; always check municipal rules.
    Level
    Beginner
    First year
    $490–$909
    Daily
    5–15 min
    Lives
    10–15 yr
  17. 17Leopard geckoTolerates brief handling · 36×18×18 in enclosureGeckos, including leopard geckos, are prohibited for private possession in Hawaii.
    Level
    Beginner
    First year
    $509–$928
    Daily
    5–15 min
    Lives
    15–20 yr
  18. 18Hognose snakeTolerates brief handling · 36×18×18 in enclosureCaptive-bred western hognoses are legal to keep in most of the US, but some states where they are native protect them: Illinois lists them as threatened and requires a permit, and states such as Missouri and Iowa also restrict them. Never collect wild hognoses, and check your state wildlife agency before buying.
    Level
    Beginner
    First year
    $521–$994
    Daily
    5–15 min
    Lives
    12–20 yr
  19. 19Crested geckoTolerates brief handling · 18×18×36 in enclosureGeckos, including crested geckos, are prohibited for private possession in Hawaii.
    Level
    Beginner
    First year
    $568–$1,058
    Daily
    5–15 min
    Lives
    15–20 yr
  20. 20Gargoyle geckoTolerates brief handling · 18×18×36 in enclosureLegal in most US states. Hawaii prohibits keeping geckos like this one as pets.
    Level
    Beginner
    First year
    $600–$1,122
    Daily
    5–15 min
    Lives
    15–20 yr
  21. 21African fat-tailed geckoTolerates brief handling · 36×18×18 in enclosureHawaii prohibits private possession of most reptiles, including geckos; elsewhere in the US they are generally legal.
    Level
    Beginner
    First year
    $612–$1,183
    Daily
    5–15 min
    Lives
    15–20 yr
  22. 22KingsnakeTolerates brief handling · 48×24×24 in enclosureAll snakes are illegal to keep in Hawaii. California kingsnakes are native to California, where only captive-bred animals from permitted breeders can be sold; check state wildlife rules elsewhere.
    Level
    Beginner
    First year
    $621–$1,205
    Daily
    5–15 min
    Lives
    15–25 yr
  23. 23Musk turtleHands-off: best watched · 40 gal tankA federal FDA rule bans selling turtles with shells under 4 inches as pets, which covers hatchling and many adult musk turtles, so buy from a breeder or rescue that follows the law. Many states also restrict collecting wild musk turtles; captive-bred animals are legal to keep in most states.
    Level
    Beginner
    First year
    $476–$975
    Daily
    10–20 min
    Lives
    30–50 yr
  24. 24Russian tortoiseHands-off: best watched · 48×24×18 in enclosure
    Level
    Beginner
    First year
    $590–$1,167
    Daily
    10–20 min
    Lives
    40–50 yr
  25. 25White's tree frogTolerates brief handling · 18×18×24 in enclosureLegal to keep in most US states. Hawaii does not allow them as pets.
    Level
    Beginner
    First year
    $590–$1,190
    Daily
    10–20 min
    Lives
    12–20 yr
  26. 26Pet mouseTolerates brief handling · 30×12×12 in cagePet mice are legal in every US state with no permit needed, though some leases and rental agreements limit pet rodents.
    Level
    Beginner
    First year
    $226–$463
    Daily
    10–25 min
    Lives
    1–3 yr
  27. 27GerbilTolerates brief handling · 36×18×16 in cageGerbils are illegal to own as pets in California and Hawaii due to concerns about potential invasive feral populations.
    Level
    Beginner
    First year
    $338–$700
    Daily
    10–25 min
    Lives
    2–4 yr
  28. 28Zebra finchHands-off: best watched · 30×18×18 in cage
    Level
    Beginner
    First year
    $321–$694
    Daily
    15–30 min
    Lives
    5–10 yr
  29. 29CanaryHands-off: best watched · 30×18×18 in cageCanaries are legal to keep in every US state with no permit needed.
    Level
    Beginner
    First year
    $386–$768
    Daily
    15–30 min
    Lives
    8–12 yr
  30. 30Guinea pigTolerates brief handling · 42×28×14 in cageGuinea pigs are widely legal across the United States without special permits, though rental leases and local residential codes may limit pet quantities.
    Level
    Beginner
    First year
    $579–$1,200
    Daily
    20–40 min
    Lives
    5–8 yr
  31. 31BudgieTolerates brief handling · 30×18×18 in cage
    Level
    Beginner
    First year
    $457–$985
    Daily
    30–60 min
    Lives
    8–12 yr
  32. 32CockatielEnjoys handling · 24×24×30 in cage
    Level
    Beginner
    First year
    $588–$1,246
    Daily
    45–90 min
    Lives
    10–20 yr
  33. 33Pet ratEnjoys handling · 30×18×24 in cagePet rats are generally legal across the United States, though local municipal bans or landlord regulations may apply.
    Level
    Beginner
    First year
    $401–$839
    Daily
    60–120 min
    Lives
    2–3 yr

How this list is built: Every animal our sources rate as a beginner species, ordered by daily care time, then first-year cost. First year is the essential setup plus a year of food and supplies, at typical US prices; vet care is extra. Every number comes from the animal's own guide and its sources. How we make these guides.