It's back to school time and teachers looking for creative ways to keep kids entertained and educated on the circle of life should avoid these classroom pets.
For back to school tips, PetMD compiled a list of the top ten pets that should be kept out of any classroom.
10. Snakes They don't shed, aren't noisy and, if you keep their habitat clean, don't emit a strong odor either. So, why don't snakes make good classroom pets? Their unpredictable temperament (especially when molting) can result in aggressive behavior towards inquisitive children. Most importantly, being reptiles, snakes have been known to transmit salmonella.
9. Ferrets These carnivorous members of the weasel family fall under the category of exotic (read: more expensive to care for) pets. Plus, they have a strong odor even after their musk glands have been removed. Generally, ferrets have excitable and aggressive dispositions. Even well-trained, they have a tendency to nip when they feel threatened. Overall, ferrets and small children are not a good combination.
8. Birds If children in your classroom suffer from allergies, you might think a bird would be a good fit -- but birds shed dander. They're also messy and noisy. Birds bite if handled too much, especially if they're not being handled gently. Also, all that classroom noise and activity isn't very peaceful; a nerve-wracked bird will pluck out its feathers. Finally, they can transmit bird diseases like parrot fever and salmonella.
7. Rabbits It is a myth that children and rabbits go well together. Rabbits don't like kids. Thinking pet rabbits are safe for young children is one of the biggest mistakes teachers make when picking a classroom pet. Rabbits don't like to be handled and retaliate by biting or scratching with their strong hind legs. The House Rabbit Society has a downloadable PDF listing the criteria for keeping a rabbit as a classroom pet. Unfortunately, many don't meet the standard, especially in providing a peaceful environment.
6. Frogs Raising a frog to adulthood from the tadpole stage, or keeping an adult frog in a class full of young children is appealing but misguided. Why don't frogs make good classroom pets? Younger children will want to handle and pet the amphibian and that poses a considerable risk for transmission of salmonella.
5. Hamsters They're low maintenance and take up virtually no room, which makes this "starter pet" a top choice for teachers in the pet store. But hamsters are nocturnal rodents. This means disappointed children won't get to observe or interact with it at all and it's hard for children to resist the temptation to wake the animal during play and observation time. Also, the end result of a rattling the cage to wake up and play with "Harry the Hamster" is usually a bite.
4. Hedgehogs It's probably better to get a poster of Sonic the Hedgehog and his friends rather than bring a real hedgehog to class. Hedgehogs are nocturnal, which means they won't be in a good mood if they're woken up and will likely bite as a result. Falling under the "exotic" category, hedgehogs have very specific environmental needs, and their quills can be very irritating to young children.
3. Chinchillas Like hedgehogs and ferrets, chinchillas are nocturnal, excitable, and don't like to be handled. This pet needs to stay in constantly cool temperatures (under 85 degrees Fahrenheit) and to be set free daily so they can roam. Even considering taking a pet chinchilla to class for one day is considered a bad idea.
2. Turtles Their patience, hard shell and ease of care make turtles a seemingly perfect fit for the classroom. But like frogs and snakes, turtles commonly carry the disease salmonella, which is highly infectious and transmittable to humans. In addition, turtles are not as docile as people think.
1. Iguanas Iguanas are, in many ways, the least ideal pet to keep in a classroom. Like most reptiles, iguanas don't like to be handled. And because iguanas can grow to over six feet in length, a tail "lashing" can be quite dangerous to young children. Iguanas also have unique dietary needs and cannot subsist on greens alone.
Teachers are exemplary models of compassion, nurture and care in terms of caring for pets in the classroom. Interactions between a teacher and a classroom pet are learning examples that children imitate. The teacher must always provide care (food, water, clean environment) for the classroom pet. And teachers must establish boundaries between the students and the pet or pets. Teachers must teach children how to gently care for and handle the chosen pet, if the pet is an animal that can be picked up and removed from its cage or living habitat.
Teachers should also explain that although the pet is the classroom pet, it's also the teacher's pet. This prevents the awkward moment when students want to take the pet home for the summer or home during holiday breaks.
PetMD referred to the Humane Society's list of "social creatures" "best bets for the classroom." Healthy pet rodents, such as rats, gerbils, and guinea pigs present less disease risk and the animals are fairly social. The Humane Society recommends however, that these animals be given a companion of the same species to prevent boredom and stress that accompanies captivity.
Although birds don't make good classroom pets, it's a good idea to help students set up birdhouses, feeding stations and birdbaths around their schoolyard. Then arrange schedules for students to observe the animals.
The Humane Society noted that Goldfish are also an excellent choice for students who may suffer from allergies. They are relatively low-maintenance to care for and feed, and most importantly, they aren't disruptive to a healthy learning environment.
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