Fish
http://www.flickr.com/photos/leino/163794422/
Tetras.
Fish
have the advantage that they have no allergens and no real odor
concerns. Different species can work in any size tank to accommodate
any amount of space or aquarium size. They can be left for a few days
and with a proper filter, regular maintenance can be done once a
week. Care must be taken with kids and fish in that they do not put
things into the tank (such as coins) which will eventually kill the
fish. Children also need to be taught not to overfeed their fish,
this too will kill them and excess food will make the water dirty.
Some of the best fish for children are Bettas, Goldfish, Guppies, or
Tetras. Be aware that guppies will multiply, do not get them
unless you are prepared to deal with their offspring.
Amphibians
http://www.flickr.com/photos/of_guido/1364584634/
Tree Frog
Frogs
and salamanders can make good pets for children. The main concern
with them is that the children wash their hands both before, and
after, handling the pet. Salmonella is a concern with some
amphibians, especially turtles. If given a good sized enclosure these
pets are quite happy to be watched and do not need daily handling.
Some species do not like being handled as it causes stress. Most
amphibians are a bit more tricky than fish in that they need special
lighting and regular misting of their tank. A few species of frogs,
such as the red eyed tree frog, are nocturnal, and therefor may not
be enjoyed by children.
Reptiles
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tobyirvine/316038747/
Leopard Gecko
Some
reptiles are better pets than others, particularly when it comes to
snakes. Larger snakes require larger food and some children (or their
parents) might be disturbed at the notion of feeding rodents to
snakes, it should be noted that many will eat already dead animals,
and such animals can be purchased frozen. Other concerns with
reptiles include their special needs for heat and lighting. Of
reptiles Anoles, Geckos, and Corn Snakes, are some of the best for
children. Many reptiles, such as Iguanas, grow to be quite
large.
Rodents
http://www.flickr.com/photos/omp_production/3742563278/
Hamster
There
are a couple of concerns with rodents that children and parents need
to be aware of. They, and particularly their cages, have a smell.
Some, such as untamed hamsters, can bite. Rodents should be taken out
of their cages daily, or have a very large cage. However, most
rodents are seen as cute, in the eyes of children who like to watch
them. Also it may be noted that some rodents are nocturnal and will
not be awake in the day. Some rodents must be kept alone or will kill
their cage mates. Even dwarf hamsters (often marketed as pets that
can live together) will often kill a cage mate if their cage is not
large enough.
Birds
http://www.flickr.com/photos/itspaulkelly/41665767/
Birds
are not always great for young children. One reason is that birds
have dander which can cause allergies. They are also messy and some
are loud. The larger birds can bite hard. Finches or Canaries, being
smaller and not as loud, might be suitable for some children, but are
not suitable to be held. One thing to be aware of with birds is they
often leave their seed husks in their food dish so it may look like
they have lots of food when all they have is empty husks. Another
consideration with birds is space. Many cages are tall, and do
not allow the bird flight room, this is cruel as birds were made for
flight. Birds do not do well when left alone for long periods
of time. Budgies are probably one of the best feathered pets for
children, or even chickens.
Other Critters
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lilcrabbygal/119196981/
Hermit crab
Other
pets worth consideration for classroom pets include insects, hermit
crabs, and rabbits (not technically rodents). Ferrets are fairly
demanding pets, requiring lots of time out of their cage.
Hedgehogs might keep children awake at night and are not overly
cuddly. Insects and hermit crabs having many advantages such as
no smell or allergens. Additionally there are many unusual insects,
such as walking sticks, that can help children overcome their
(occasional) fear of bugs. These pets should be purchased, not
captured wild, as this practice is illegal in some areas.
Also
Parents
need to be involved in overseeing all pet care. In fact no pets
should be attained unless the parents are willing to be the care
giver for the pet when their kids are away or if they tire of the
animal. It is not fair to any pet to get rid of it because of lack of
interest, after all a child is not old enough to buy a pet, therefore
really it is the adult who is the owner. Veterinary care must also be
given and paid for by the adult when needed.
When
selecting any pet, it is always better to buy from a breeder rather
than a pet store. Pet stores get animals from mass breeders so
the animals are typically not use to being handled. Some animal
shelters will have small pets for adoption and this is often a good
option because they may come with a free cage and supplies.
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