Looking for ideas for a classroom pet

[WDWNewbie]

Hi

My DD 10 and her classmates are researching ideas for a classroom pet.

Any experiences to share, either positive or not so positive would be appreciated.

Thank you! aw:

 

[grinningghost]

I'd go for a hamster. They're easy enough to care for, yet not SO easy that they don't need a good amount of attention with feeding/watering/cleaning the cage.

They're also fun to watch and learn from.

 

[gradtchr]

When I was teaching my class had a pet rabbit. They got to name him and he would come out and hop around during the day if they behaved. They all loved him!

I still have him although I'm not in the classroom anymore. I chose it because I had two other bunnies and they were sturdier than a hamster or fish which I had seen die as a student. I'm sorry but you can't convince me that a brown hamster turned white overnight and that it's the same one.

 

[jennyl772003]

I remember having hamsters when I was in school.

Something that my son LOVED last year was when the teacher "raised" tadpoles. He was always talking about how they were developing. I would also think, depending on what kind you get, you could "release" them in the fall. (only if they were a natural species in your area)

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

Definitly go for something sturdy that isn't likely to die!

The only problem with hamsters is that they tend to like to sleep most of the day and be more active at night, whereas if you get a rabbit or something, it might be more active during the day.

Fish are fun, but kids might like something they can pet more!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

The popular ones at ds school were hamsters, in his class however 2 got out and they were only able to find 1 of them. My other ds had guinea pigs, and we eneded up buying our own because of this. They have also had hermit crabs and the ever popular chinchilla who likes to take dust baths. Several of the classes hatch chicken eggs at the end of the year but they return the chicks to a farm etc.

 

[Laurajean1014]

Teddy Bear hampsters and small lizards are great.

 

[ShuisFan584]

When I was in pre school we always had guinea pigs. They were fun to play with because they're not too small like hamsters and gerbils, but they're not too big either. I remember every weekend one kid in the class got to take one home and learn how to care for it. I would say the best bet would be either guinea pigs or rabbits.

 

[gravymom]

We got last year's teacher two Fire-Bellied Toads. Throw them in a little 5 gal aquariam with some water, pet gravel, a faux rock for hiding and you're set. The teacher feeds them a meal worm or two per frog per week. MWs hang out in the fridge with no muss, no fuss. Easy peasy.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

Anyone remember the Pet Rock from years ago? As a teacher who taught in a school where another teacher had a pet bunny and never cleaned the cage(yuck), I think my vote is for Pet Rock.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Just a note: hamsters are nocturnal and get very grouchy when they are trying to sleep and someone is trying to handle them.

 

[froglady]

We got last year's teacher two Fire-Bellied Toads. Throw them in a little 5 gal aquariam with some water, pet gravel, a faux rock for hiding and you're set. The teacher feeds them a meal worm or two per frog per week. MWs hang out in the fridge with no muss, no fuss. Easy peasy.

I was going to suggest them. Very low maintenence, except that I do have to feed him live worms (tiny mealworms) with tweezers. I also have some fake plants which he likes to climb.They don't need special lighting as some reptiles do. I've had various pet frogs over the years, and these are the best.

 

[Daxx]

Albino frogs ... they eat pellet fish food. Easy, neat and very cool (esp. watching them eat)! Like the fire belly toads, they need an aquarium, gravel and food.

Beta Fish are very low-maintenence, too! They need an aquarium and a plant and beta food. Again, super easy!

~Daxx's Wife

 

[Sthronds]

When I was teaching 4th grade a year ago I got caught up in the Hermit Crab craze. I bought two hermit crabs, we learned all about them and I made the students take a test before they could handle them. It was a bust. They didn't do anything and I was terrified that my students would get pinched. I don't recommend these. I passed them on to my replacement and she didn't like them much either. We took good care of them and all, but they were not very exciting.

 

[crz4mm2]

I second the guinea pig!! DD babysat the guinea pig from her classroom a couple of times. We had the best time with it.
It was quite a pet.

Cathy

 

[LlamaKuzco]

If you want to get a fuzzy little friend for your classroom your best choice would be a rat. My cousin got a pair of rats for his class room last year and they are working out great. They are bigger than hamsters and gerbils and they are not as nippy as them either. The students will love a rat, it can be handled more easily than other small furries and can tolerate more than hamsters. This was if a student is too rough with it you don't have to worry about the rat biting the kid the way a hamster would. They are smarter than pretty much all other pets except for the smartest breeds of dog and can learn a lot of tricks. My cousin tought them to sit on his shoulder at he teaches.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Of the small furry variety - I second a rat. Rats are the most gentle, and smart, and all around friendly of the fuzzy rodent critter pets. My rats were always good at running mazes. It might be a good way to teach kids, not only about caring for a pet, but also about how animals get trained to follow a maze.

Of the larger furry variety - guinea pigs are adorable. While bunnies are sweet, some can kick and scratch when they are angry. Some guinea pigs are skittish as well though. I guess either of these are good but you just want to choose carefully.

Of the aquatic variety. Betta fish or a small freshwater aquarium. Betta's are easy to care for and don't require a lot of space. But if you can, a 20 gallon freshwater tank might be nice. It will not only teach the kids about different types of fish and where they live, but also teach them about the fresh water environment and ecosystem.

I would not recommend a lizard or other reptile due to ceratin health hazards they can pose. They are generally safe, but can carry salmonella and if you do end up with a reptile, you will need to supervise that the children wash their hands thoroughly every time they touch it.

 

[Donna]

Of the small furry variety - I second a rat. Rats are the most gentle, and smart, and all around friendly of the fuzzy rodent critter pets. My rats were always good at running mazes. It might be a good way to teach kids, not only about caring for a pet, but also about how animals get trained to follow a maze.

Of the larger furry variety - guinea pigs are adorable. While bunnies are sweet, some can kick and scratch when they are angry. Some guinea pigs are skittish as well though. I guess either of these are good but you just want to choose carefully.

Of the aquatic variety. Betta fish or a small freshwater aquarium. Betta's are easy to care for and don't require a lot of space. But if you can, a 20 gallon freshwater tank might be nice. It will not only teach the kids about different types of fish and where they live, but also teach them about the fresh water environment and ecosystem.

I would not recommend a lizard or other reptile due to ceratin health hazards they can pose. They are generally safe, but can carry salmonella and if you do end up with a reptile, you will need to supervise that the children wash their hands thoroughly every time they touch it.

Very good advice! I work in a grooming salon/small pet store; i would first recommend guinea pigs, they tend to not bite and squirm too much. Secondly, a rat, if you can get a smaller one that isn't set in his ways yet, would be ideal. Before working at my store, i wouldn't have EVER even looked at a rat but seeing them be born and raising them as they get older, oh my, they are just adorable. they don't squirm either and i don't think they bite unless they think you have food. i was bit by an adult rat but i was trying to touch her babies! Ideally, a baby guinea pig would be perfect for the classroom, but the baby rat would be sooo nice too. i show them to all the kids that come in. I would stress handwashing/sanitizing with any small animal, just a good habit. We have hand sanitizers up in the store.