I am looking at getting my kid's a leopard gecko or something similar for a class pet. I am curious does anyone else have a class pet ? If so what did you get ?
I wouldn't say we have a class pet so much as a zoo. :lol: We have an aquarium, hamster, cat, dogs and until recently a guinea pig, rest her soul. (we've also had birds, a garden snail, rabbits, a rescued toad...) It depends on how you want to use it for educational purposes as to which type of pet I'd recommend. What are your goals for having one? Responsibility, zoology, compassion, budgeting, time management? Certain pets require more care, more human contact, more space, etc. Wondering what your thoughts are.
We don't have one (well... other than a dog, but she was around long before the kids came along! :lol: ), but before deciding on something for sure, call around to the vets in your area to (1) see if they think it's a good idea for that type of pet and (2) if they're able and willing to treat that type of pet. The reason I say that is that I once dated a veterinarian, and oh the horror stories of parents with good intentions! Some animals are cute and seem easy to care for, but they have NO business being in someone's home at all, especially in a home with kids. Reptiles & amphibians are some of the worst.
We have 6 spoiled dogs, one indoor cat with a bum paw and four outdoor cats. They were here before we started homeschooling except for two of the cats. No official class pets for us, just family pets.
Same here! We don't have any "class pets" now but with 6 dogs, 2 donkeys, 2 geese, 30 ducks, and 30 chickens I think we have enough! We have had class pets though - rabbits and chicks. This is the first year in 5 that we are not incubating eggs. I just don't feel like it. Besides, that's what fluffy hen butts are for. :lol:
We have 2 cats and a guinea pig. For a while we had a frog, but he has moved on to our friend's backyard goldfish pool. We've also had temporary pets like lizards, lady bugs & praying mantis.
OH! I know it isn't the right time of year, but we used to find Monarch butterfly caterpillars each year to feed and watch form their chrysalises. Always fun and educational....and temporary.
We hatched chicks this year. It was a lot of fun and the kids loved it. We had friends over after they hatched. I would recommend this to parents with young homeschoolers (my kids are K and 1st).
Aside from the family pets we currently have four young goldfish in an aquarium. We brought them in along with hundreds of others last summer from our backyard pond. Who knew fish bred so much in the summer heat. Yeesh. Anyway four are all that survived transfer to the tank likely due to stress. But as cruel as it sounds we really had no need for thousands of fish and through the process of natural events outside they wouldn't have all survived as we have found damselfly larvae in the pond more then once. Anyway long story short they will be returned to the pond in the spring once the snow is gone and the water warms up. Fun.
Like others, we have a zoo. If I had it to do over, I think I'd do a virtual pet - like PETZ. I think it'd be great for school!
All the chicken hatching stuff I have seen is expensive. Is there anywhere decent priced for that ? I'd love to try it with the kids. My dad has a farm we can relocate the chickens to later. I think we have decided on a New Caledonia crested dragon for the kids after a lot of research. Heads up for anyone wanting a lizard petco is having a 50% sale. I ordered us some butterfly eggs for later too ! Can you tell we love pets ?
You can build your own with a light bulb. You have to keep turning them, tho. I've seen plans online for free.
I tried that once and non of them hatched. It involved a aquarium heater and I can't remember what else . I went to my dad's farm and snagged some baby chicks to replace them.
I guess there must be a tradition of having a homeschool zoo, rather than just a pet. LOL I would say that my favorites have been the cats and a parakeet. The cats are great to curl up with when reading a book. This morning little man even read a book to the cat. The parakeet was very tame and liked to ride on my older son's shoulder during school time, even when playing the piano. He was such a sweet personable pet. Our parakeet only lived for 7 yrs., I'm told that is actually a long time for the species: due to in-breeding they have more cancer than any other species, 2 yrs. is more typical, according to our vet. It is hard to imagine getting so attached to another budgie (parakeet), training it and all, only to say good-bye to it in just 2 yrs. I think lizards are interesting creatures, but they aren't very interactive. I put them in the class of animals that are fun to watch, but don't really want to be your pet.
We have and have many types of pets. Before you get one, look up as much information from multiple places as you can, that way you can choose one that you have the means to care for properly and that has behavior patterns/personality that fits with your family. You don't want a nocturnal animal if you'll only have to interact with it during the day, or a pet that naturally resists handling if you want to be able to pet it. Leopard geckos are very neat pets, but you must provide it with a heat gradient and it is a nocturnal reptile. You also must be sure it receives the vitamins/minerals it needs or it will get Hind Leg Paralysis quickly. But they also can learn who feeds them and you can call them out when you have their worms or crickets ready. They can get used to being handled a bit, but they aren't cuddly. Have you thought about gerbils? They are good, easy pets, and they don't bite like hamsters typically do. They are also diurnal and don't require too special of diets, either. Anyway, sorry for the novel! Animals are a bit of a love of mine.
