Here are some top picks for classroom animals and information about what each animal has to offer in a positive way and what the potential concerns or problems could be for each animal. You will need to match your classroom energy and situation to the animal’s housing needs and specific tendencies.
Community Tropical Fish Aquarium
A tropical fish tank can be a great addition to any classroom, and children will have fun helping you select which types of fish to include in the aquarium. Do research to find out which fish do well together and what size aquarium they need. Some species of fish are poisonous, aggressive or will eat other fish, while many other fish do well in peaceful community schools. Another choice to decide is whether to take on the additional hassle of a salt water aquarium which requires more maintenance and is overall more expensive than a freshwater tropical tank.
The pros of a fish tank are that the fish are often colorful, easy to care for and don’t require feeding over the weekend. A freshwater tank is also relatively inexpensive, has a quiet noise level and so won’t disturb a classroom, and children can take ownership in the selection of new residents. The downside is that most tropical fish tanks need to stay at a certain temperature and in cold climates with frequent power outages that can be difficult to maintain. Children may also find the fish boring.
Rats, Gerbils or Other Rodents
Rats are the most social of all the small rodents, sometimes called “pocket pets”, and they are suitable for classroom pet situations. Rats are also very clean, do not smell, adapt to daytime hours and are not prone to bite. Gerbils tend to be more active and entertaining, keep diurnal habits (awake during the day) and are easy keepers, but are not as intelligent as rats.
Hamsters tend to keep nocturnal hours and can be more grouchy and prone to nipping if they are disturbed or frightened. Many children have hamsters, so they can seem more boring. Mice are harder to tame and not generally as friendly but are considered “cuter” than rats and can be kept in a smaller enclosure since they only get 1/3 the size of rats.
Green Anoles and Other Tropical Reptiles/Amphibians
Green anoles are commonly available, inexpensive and provide a great learning opportunity since their natural habitat is a tropical, rain-forest-like humid environment. Anoles are active during the day and children will enjoy seeing them change colors from brown to green (anoles are not true chameleons), however they do require a set humidity level, heated environment and are not suitable for regular handling. Their housing requirements make them good companions for arboreal tree frogs, which are another nice “hands-off” classroom pet, and the two can often be housed together.
Zebra Finch Song Birds
These small birds are relatively easy to house and keep, and do not taking up a lot of space. Zebra finches are cleaner birds than larger cockatiels and parrots, so they are not likely to trigger allergy or asthma problems. When kept in pairs the interaction is fun to observe. The downside to zebra finches would be that they can be noisier than other potential classroom pets, might need care over the weekend (someone will have to take them home!), and are another pet that shouldn’t be held or handled by the children but rather simply observed.
Whatever pet you choose to enrich your classroom situation, be sure you consider some guidelines for selecting a school pet, check with your school superintendent and have a plan for care in place before making your final decision.
Angela England - Angela England is a problogger, mother of four (yes I know what causes that), speaker, teacher, labor doula, gardener and so much more.
Join the Conversation