Pets do not make good gifts and all family members should be involved in a decision like this. We teach our children a lot just by how we treat and value our pets. Some types of animals exceed human life expectancy. Some live only a year or two. Most cats and dogs live beyond 10 years.
Snakes eat other animals.
Large dogs consume mass quantities of food. Exotics need a variety of specialty foods. Some critters will go absolutely cage crazy if they aren't provided with constant enrichment, exercise and or stimulation. Some need to be maintained at certain temperatures. Some animals are solitary animals.