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Need ideas for a cool classroom pet

The Menagerie
#1

After eight years of service I decided to retire my classroom rabbit. He was not interacting with the students anymore and was always molting. He is now happily living at home enjoying his retirement.

I do not want to get another rabbit because our new principal did not like him hopping around the classroom. So I am looking for a fun new class pet the studnets can enjoy. I really wanted a hedgehog but they are illegal in Ga. :frowning:

I teach gifted students in the k-5 grades and they are not/will not be allowed to pick up or hold the new addition.

#2

Guinea Pig or Chinchilla :winkgrin:

#3

What about a degu? I think the chinchilla would be too tempting to hold - SOOOO SOFT!!

#4

Hmmm
 had not thought of a chinchilla!!! Great idea! I had a guinea pig and we did not get along so I think I will pass LOL!!!

What is a degu? I am off to research!

#5

Degus are cool - they’re in the cavy family. Very smart little animals. They’re known for their problem solving capabilities so it might be fun for your students to play “Stump the Degu.” Plus, I think it’s interesting to introduce people to animals they’ve never heard of before. They’re not too expensive. The pet store near us sells them for $17-20 each. They do need to be kept in at least pairs though. Very social animals.

#6

Axolotl! Not a mammal though, an amphibian.

Fairly easy to take care of as long as you keep them cool in their bowl/tank, and they are very fun to watch. I have had mine for over 7 years now with the oldest one being around 7 years old.

#7

Bearded dragon

#8

Ball Python (they come in MANY amazing morph colors) EXTREMELY tame and long lived, 30 years. Not to mention a BIG male will rarely break 3 feet and a super big female will max out around 4+ feet.

http://www.worldofballpythons.com//

#9

[QUOTE=RougeEmpire;6314431]
Ball Python (they come in MANY amazing morph colors) EXTREMELY tame and long lived, 30 years. Not to mention a BIG male will rarely break 3 feet and a super big female will max out around 4+ feet.

http://www.worldofballpythons.com//[/QUOTE]

I know the admin would not go for snakes! I also found out Degu’s are illegal in Ga :frowning: I really liked them too!!!

Keep the ideas coming!!

#10

Rats! I know a lot of people don’t like them, but they are awesome. My mother was totally grossed out when I asked her if I could buy a pair of rats and was not happy, but she now loves them. They’re super smart, really sweet, quiet, don’t make a mess, etc. They are awesome pets. Mine have learned their names and if I make a kissing sound they wake up and come to the door of the cage.
They’re really cool :yes: See?
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s176/milocalwinnings/bentleyandremy.jpg

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s176/milocalwinnings/bentleyandremy2.jpg

#11

Milo - i second rats and had them growing up

#12

Well, it’s not exotic but I think they are cool and fun, COCKATIEL’S!

They whistle, can learn how to talk, they play with toys and come in cheerful, bright colors.

They are also easy to care for and don’t require a huge cage.

#13

[QUOTE=spotnnotfarm;6314457]
I know the admin would not go for snakes! I also found out Degu’s are illegal in Ga :frowning: I really liked them too!!!

Keep the ideas coming!![/QUOTE]

Oh that sucks! Snakes are GREAT educational animals because they are so primitive and have not changed in million of years.

#14

Guinea pigs. They squeak, they popcorn, they gentle very quickly, they loooove to be held and fed appleth and lettuth and carrotsth and grath (yeth, thome sthpeak with a lithp), they have personalities, and (probably don’t want to breed them, but) they are born eyes open, squeaking and full coated and eat lettuce the first day. My first intro to guinea pigs was a classroom pig, and we would always vie for the job of cleaning the cage and taking the pig home during vacations. Lots and LOTS of fun.

#15

[QUOTE=Snowflake;6314191]
What about a degu? I think the chinchilla would be too tempting to hold - SOOOO SOFT!![/QUOTE]

Chinchillas require alot of work and special handling. They really HAVE to be exercised every day (large, run around playground) which is awkward for a classroom, and are very sensitive and frightened easily. I would not at all suggest one for a classroom.

#16

Parakeets, smaller, cheaper, less destructive.

#17

Also, guinea pigs do not have to be picked up. Because they are so cute and active, they are fun to watch. When they popcorn (jump straight up in the air and squeak) they are very funny. Also, they squeak when they know you will be feeding them, so even though the kids won’t be holding them, they are very interactive anyway.

#18

LOL, I love me some pigs :slight_smile:

#19

Well, I may go with a hamster. I know it is not exciting but I need an animal that can live in a cage and not come out per my boss :frowning: I loved having a rabbit hop around the classroom but he nixed it. Keep the ideas coming! I am disappointed about the Degus. They seem really cool!

Aren’t birds messy? I need something that does not create a mess ( my boss is not an animal person, can you tell!)

#20

You can buy cages that have built in seed protectors to keep the seed from falling out.

Like this: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=5059+10346+19281&pcatid=19281

There are others available as well, this is just the first one I found.

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