Decided on a classroom pet!

[gaited horse]

Quote:
No get seabrights.

 

[Bec]

Well I don't think she'll go for chickens...lol..now if I was the teacher...hands down chickens!

BUT I did suggest rats, guinea pigs, mice, gerbils, anoles, hermit crabs and hamsters.

She said that she was going to think about it and let me know!

 

[BellLisamo]

Horny Toad??? Lizard?

 

[tharrell]

I vote for rats. They make great pets for kids and are extremely smart. I had them in a few different classrooms as a kid and they would run around the desks and steal little pieces of paper or pencils and take them back in their cage. They also seem to potty train themselves and will only relieve themselves in their cages. I'm actually trying to convince my husband that they would make good pets for our son but he just won't warm up to the idea of a rodent as a pet, lol!

 

[SeramaLife]

Quote:
Me too!

 

[suburbanminifarm]

Several anole lizards in a cage. The kids can watch them eat mealworms and watch that they stay a happy green color. And add branches and leaves for them. Plus, no problem if there is a weekend, they would be fine. (But I still vote chicken)

 

[muddypuddles]

I was going to suggest a chinchilla . They are SOO soft and friendly but I remembered that they are nocturnal (most rodents are) so they aren't much fun during the day. Years ago, my son's 6th grade class had a tarantula that he thought was awesome! They aren't very cuddly but they're very low maintenance.

 

[BorderKelpie]

I like the idea of reptiles, too many kids are raised to fear them. Just be aware that if any of the kids get sick, the classroom pet will be the first thing parents and even some doctors will blame. Yes, salmonella is an issue (with reptiles and chickens) but not nearly as bad as people claim it to be. We had a guinea pig as a classroom pet when I was a kid, I liked him, but was horribly allergic.
A pair of doves might be nice, they are fairly calm and have a quiet calming coo. My Oliver sometimes sounds like he's laughing. They aren't particularly brilliant, but they are very gentle and I get a kick out of watching them play with their parakeet toys. If you get a true pair, you may even get to witness the egg icubation thing. (If these are very young children, you may opt for a pair of females as a pair of males will fight). That way, no 'explaining' needs to be done.

 

[cutiepieacres]

a pair of same sex rats or guinea pigs. Both are pretty easy maintenance. Neither should smell other then like the bedding if they are in a properly sized caged and cleaned enough. Both if socialized when younger don't mind being held even a lot and are unlikely to bite(unlike most other rodents).

of course with any small pet supervision should be strict and kids should not be allowed to hold them above sitting on the floor as accidents do happen but both animals are pretty hardy with kids who have been taught the correct ways to handle them.

Guinea pigs and rats are slightly more familiar and therefore may be less at risk for complaints about illness "caused" by them.

A lot of reptiles have special care, lights and need live food. Live food may cause issues with sensitive kids.

personally I love chickens I just dont like the idea of a caged chicken without access to dirt and sunshine.

 

[CTChick]

If you can find them, spiny mice are wonderful! Not jumpy like gerbils, not nippy like hamsters - no smell, not noctural, really love to be handled. You must have two - can be two males, two females or a pair (you'll have babies but the male helps care for them). I had two brothers at the shop, it was great because kids would hold them while their mom shopped. Only flaw: They pair off/mate for LIFE - if one dies, the other dies too. And that's exactly what happened - Ping got a lump (cancer) and died; Pong absolutely refused to eat, curled up under his water bottle and literally died of a broken heart. It was tragic. There was a margin of time when I could have introduced another mouse and hoped he'd take to him/her - but couldn't get one in time.

But still - a very unique and "safe" classroom pet(s). Google "Spiny Mouse" or "Chinese Spiny Mice" and see what you get!

Laura