as a homeschooling mom with two parakeets, I do not recommend the lovable little budgies for a classroom setting. The louder the teacher talks, the louder the birds screech! :lol::lol: Much as we adore them, I’ve had to cover the birds many a time while we were doing school… they absolutely love all the “socializing”.
Might teach everybody ‘indoor voices’! 
Hamsters are nocturnal, so having one might not be that interesting for ‘daytime’ students.
A FERRET :lol::lol::lol::lol:
No, I am kidding.
I know it worked well for Arnold in that movie, but probably not much in reality…
I really loved my poison dart frogs. They don’t go out/anywhere, but all my friends loved to stand and watch them, especially when they were hunting fruit flies!
[QUOTE=RHdobes563;6316037]
Hamsters are nocturnal, so having one might not be that interesting for ‘daytime’ students.[/QUOTE]
I had gerbils as a kid, and found them to be much more active and engaging than hamsters. I taught them to come to the edge of their cage for sunflower seeds when I whistled. Gerbils are probably one of my favorite small rodents 
Rats are pretty neat, too. Also more fun than hamsters, imo
I know a guy that domesticated a deer mouse that he raised from a pink little baby that his cat found. He swears it is the smartest most social little pet he’s ever had-he compares him to his dog! YMMV :lol:
Rats are great, but they don’t live to long
definitely 2 rats. rats are very smart and gentle.
Spiny Mice. http://www.sandsexoticanimals.com/care/spiny_mouse.html
I had them as a kid and they are far more gregarious then regular mice. Plus their spiny look makes them unique.
On the plus side they were very attached to their home and on the rare ocasion one got out … they never wandered far.
Hermit crabs…you can watch them upgrade for a larger shell.
Not a hamster. They’re nocturnal and not at all happy about being awakened during the day. Why not a guinea pig? They are the best!
I personally don’t like gerbils because the ones that were kept for our third grade pets cannibalized each other. :dead:
I sooo want a chinchilla!!
Or a hamster??? - I think they’d be fine esp if the students aren’t allowed to touch them anyway.
Ferret? - not my cup o’ tea but some people like them!
Wouldn’t go for a bird for above listed reasons - too noisy/distracting.
I would not mind a Ferret but it would have to stay caged at all times and I know they are social and enjoy exploring. I may re-think the hamster. It seems all my students have one so it would not be very interesting.
I am still thinking about the chinchilla, maybe guinea pig ( I think I have a prejudice aginst them since I had one that did not work out) and I will research the spiny mouse.
How about a turtle?? I have always liked them but think I may go overboard with the cage! LOL!!!
I would not do a ferret, they need lots of interaction and mental stimulation and love to get out and play
[QUOTE=Burbank;6316617]
I would not do a ferret, they need lots of interaction and mental stimulation and love to get out and play[/QUOTE]
I agree, that is why I do not have them on my list. I have been researching Spiny Mice and they seem cool! They are legal in Ga! DO most petstores sell them?
Chinchillas can be pretty grumpy unless they are handled a lot.
Birds are cool but they do like to sing. Keets are not too bad - and they are fun to watch if you get several. They can be messy, but if you get a cheap dirt devil hand vac you can keep up with it pretty easily with only a little time.
How about a fish tank ? Once they are cycled properly they are pretty easy to maintain (chemistry lesson right there!) - and they can go over the weekend without needing to be fed. You could do guppies, it is fun to watch the babies grow up.
What about a chameleon or a gecko or something?
turtle or tortois?
Those aquatic turtles ARE cool, got one right now. Really easy care - but they grow big and need a huge tank! And very good filters.
The land variety, I have not had anything to do with in over 30 years…
If the pet won’t be allowed to get out and play, I’d avoid ferrets or chinchillas, and probably rats. Hamsters are nocturnal and aren’t very fun too watch. I’d go for gerbils or mice with a big cage and lots of toys. They are very active during the day and tons of fun to watch. Plus, cage care is easy. Mice need weekly cage cleaning and gerbils only need their cages cleaned every other week. They are desert animals and produce very little waste. If you choose gerbils, get a glass tank and no plastic toys. They are dedicated chewers and can chew through plastic within hours.
