Despite their somewhat scary reputation, snakes are quickly growing to be one of the more popular pet choices among people of all ages.  Contrary to what you might think, certain snakes can even make great classroom pets.  Recommended beginner snakes like the corn snake come in a variety of beautiful colors and patterns, are docile, and generally grow to about 3-5 feet.  Ball pythons are another popular species of snake, and make for an exciting addition to any classroom.

Housing a snake in the classroom tends to be fairly easy and requires only a few important things.  One of these is a secure, escape-proof tank.  Most snakes tend to look for openings or cracks to squeeze into in their enclosure, so keeping them housed and secure is important to their safety.  Another necessity, as with other pets, is a clean water dish.  Snakes like to have a fresh water spot where they can soak, particularly before a shed.

Snakes are cold blooded animals and rely on an external heat source to control body temperature and maintain metabolism. Without adequate heat, snakes cannot digest food properly and eventually will starve to death. Snakes kept in overly warm environments can also become ill or die, so it is important to keep the temperatures within the acceptable range.

In a captive environment, use one or more heat sources for the reptile’s enclosure, such as heat lamps, undertank heaters, heat tape and ceramic emitters. Hot rocks are not recommended because they can cause thermal burns.

Snakes should be kept in housing with a range of temperatures, typically about 10 to 15 degrees F. This temperature gradient allows the snake to move from one area to another to warm up or cool off as needed. Shedding is a necessary process for a snake’s growth. The frequency in which your snake will shed its skin is based on its rate of development, though it normally occurs every five to eight weeks.  Most snakes only feed every 7-10 days (on small pre-killed rodents), but before a shed may eat even less frequently.

When choosing your snake make sure that it is well-fleshed, no cuts or scrapes, and has clear eyes.  These are signs that the snake is healthy and well-nourished.   Also make sure to go over proper handling and care techniques with your students.

When done right, bringing an exotic new pet into your classroom can be an incredibly exciting experience for you and your students.  With a friendly corn snake or an adorable ball python, you and your class will be surprised at how fast you “shed” your creepy-crawly view of snakes and see these awesome reptiles’ true colors.

A pet in the classroom is are wonderful resources for teachers, they help teach responsibility to students, and help build a child’s self esteem. Visit us at www.petsintheclassroom.org today, and we’ll help get you on your way. Applying for your grant couldn’t be easier, just go online, fill in the application form and we will get back to you in 7 business days!

Classrooms can get a little hectic around the holidays, with special decorations, activities, parties and treats.  Don’t forget your classroom pet’s needs in the midstofholiday celebrations.  Even though your class schedule may change due to special holiday events, make sure your classroom pet stays on a consistent schedule of feeding, watering, general care and activity periods.

Pets in the Classroom encourages extra supervision of your classroom pet, especially if there are decorations in the room that might endanger your pet – holiday lights, garlands, candy and decorative materials like fake snow are best kept away from animals that may nibble or get tangled.  Children’s energy level around the holiday break can skyrocket, so be sure to stick to carefully supervising handling of your classroom pet.  Be sure your pet has some quiet time and a place to stay safe during holiday celebrations.

Of course, you will need to make arrangements for care of your classroom pet over holiday weekends and winter break.  Be sure to send clear instructions and veterinary information with your pet if it is being cared for by classroom families or other volunteers.

Gifts for your classroom pet make great teacher gifts – check with your pet retailer for suggested treats, toys, or items to enhance your pet’s classroom environment and let students know that you would welcome gifts for your pet.  Always supervise amounts and frequency of treats and other changes to your classroom pet’s daily routine.

With a little planning, your classroom pet can enjoy happy holidays in your care.

Happy Holidays from Pets in the Classroom!

Bringing a new animal into your classroom is exciting for everyone.  You’ve got a lot on your plate now: researching your pet, getting your pet comfortable in its newhome, incorporating your pet into the curriculum, and keeping your pet safe and healthy.  It may seem like a lot of responsibility, but having a plan and the right information available to you will make the transition an easy one. Veterinarians are excellent resources for teachers who have classroom pets.

Pets in the Classroom knows it is important to have a veterinarian for your pet.  There are many options, so make sure you look for a vet that both you and your animal feel comfortable with, and is experienced in treating the kind of animal you have.  Once you make your pick, your vet will help you set up a pet care program that is right for your pet. Keep a record of any vaccines or other care received by the pet.  You never know when a situation could arise where you’ll need that information available.  Other important things to have on record are phone numbers for your vet and other agencies, like a poison control hotline.  This record is important to send with the pet during breaks and when the pet is being cared for outside of the classroom.

This may seem unnecessary, but being prepared for any situation will help to keep your pet safe.  Most veterinarians will recommend that you have a plan for how to manage any injuries should they arise, and will outline the signs that show your pet’s happy and well cared for. Having a vet you can turn to for advice and care when needed is an excellent resource for a healthy classroom pet.

If you have any questions about having a classroom pet please visit us at www.petsintheclassroom.org, or for your grant application.

Interested in bringing a reptile into the classroom? Pets in the Classroom suggests, before you run down to the local pet shop, consider adopting a pet from one ofyour city’s herpetological groups.  All of the animals available through organizations like the Phoenix Herpetological Society have been rescued or abandoned by their previous owners and are in desperate need of a permanent, loving environment.

The goal is to provide healthy and safe habitats for hundreds of reptile species including turtles, lizards, snakes, alligators, and others.  Along with providing safe housing and relocation for these animals, these herpetological groups are setting out on a venture to educate the public on responsible ownership and proper human-animal interactions.

Some of the ways these organizations accomplish their goals is through school programs and consumer groups and foundations.  The Phoenix Herpetological Society even offers live reptile summer camps for children of all ages.  These programs are composed of educational presentations, arts and crafts projects, and even field trips through the PHS facility.

There are a lot of misconceptions when it comes to reptiles, and most are feared simply because they are misunderstood.  With organizations like PHS at work, kids as young as three years old are getting the opportunity to be exposed to some of the world’s most beautiful creatures.  At Pets in the Classroom, we understand the benefits of introducing children to animals of all kinds and support the furthering of animal education in public schools.

For more information on organizations in your state, visit www.anapsid.org/societies/#us.

To apply for your grant visit us at www.petsintheclassroom.org!

When it comes to choosing a pet for your classroom, the possibilities are endless, but not all pets will be the right choice for you.  Maybe you don’t want to take on a rabbit or a guinea pig just yet, or you don’t have a solid enthusiasm for lizards or hermit crabs.  That doesn’t mean you can’t still have a fun and fascinating classroom pet.

Goldfish make great pets and have a lot more “oomph” than they get credit for.  The large variety of species available gives you the option of different features, like veil tails or bubble eyes, and the option of different sizes too.  Some goldfish stay relatively small, while others can reach more than 12 inches!

Many people are also surprised to know that goldfish have extremely good senses of smell, sight, and touch.  They’ll quickly pick up on your movements, react differently to a variety of environments, and learn to recognize feeding time.  They only need to eat once a day, but there are treats, like live brine shrimp, that you can give them on occasion.

Housing your new goldfish might make a great creative project for your class.  Check out some of the different aquariums and accessories at your local pet shop. While goldfish can live for quite some time in a regular glass bowl, having a tank with a pump and filter will keep your new pet a lot happier and healthier.

Your goldfish might seem drab when compared to other pets, but there are many learning opportunities that come with it.  Your class will learn a wide variety of interesting new facts to take home and share with their families, such as goldfish actually have two types of fins – one to help stabilize it, the other to steer and guide it through the water.

With a little help from Pets in the Classroom, your new goldfish will bring some color to your room and a smile to your students’ faces.  Give the kids something to talk about, and start the process to a cooler classroom today.  Visit www.petsintheclassroom for more information and to apply for your educational grant today!

Here is what Miss Gregory has to say about Pets in the Classroom!

“I can’t tell you enough how much my 4th grade class loves our class pet
Sammy (bearded dragon).  He is a reward for on-task students to hold and
play with as well as a job that rotates throughout our class (pooper
scooper, feeder, sprayer, handler).  They all can’t wait for their day
to get involved (even the pooper scooper)!  It is amazing how much one
little pet can make such a difference in a classroom.  I wish I would
have known this years ago.

Again, thank you so very much.”

Kim Gregory, M.Ed.

4th Grade Teacher
Bell’s Crossing Elementary School

Pets in the Classroom is an educational grants program, providing resources for teachers and opportunities for learning for children.

Are you a teacher who would love to have a classroom pet, but needs a little financial help? Pets in the Classroom awards grants up to $150.00 to purchase (or adopt) a classroom pet, or purchase food and supplies. Visit www.petsintheclassroom.org, click on “grants” button, and apply for your grant today!

Children have a natural attraction to and curiosity about animals, but having a pet in the classroom provides more than just an interesting pastime for students.  Working with classroom pets provides kids with valuable social skills. There are many different small mammals, reptiles and fish suitable as a classroom pet. The African Dwarf Frog is a perfect example.

African dwarf frogs make interesting classroom pets that students might not otherwise have exposure to.  They are easy to care for and fascinating to observe.  Dwarf frogs will need an aquarium with about one gallon of water per frog.  The aquarium does not need to be heated as long as temperature is maintained above 70 degrees.  The bottom of the tank can be left bare, making pickup of waste and uneaten food easy with a turkey baster, or you can use sand or aquarium gravel.  Larger gravel or marbles should not be used, because the frogs can get trapped under heavier pieces.  Of course, clean your tank when needed – every week or two.

Provide your frogs with plants to create a natural environment and offer hiding places.  If you choose artifical plants, use silk plants so they don’t scratch the frogs.  Your African dwarf frogs will want other hiding places, so you can choose from various aquarium decorations that might provide a cave or spot under a bridge to hide in.

Feeding your African dwarf frogs can be fun.  Ask your pet store professional what type of food to try with your frogs.  Some suggestions are live guppy fry, freeze dried brine shrimp or bloodworms, or earthworms cut into bite-sized pieces.  You can drop the food into the tank, or onto a small feeding plate within the tank. You can also feed your frogs by hand, by holding the food between your fingers in the water.  They may be afraid of your hand at first, but will begin to associate your fingers with food. You can tap the side of the aquarium gently when it is feeding time, and they will also begin to associate the tapping with feeding and come over when you tap!  This will also make them more fun to interact with, as they will be less shy around people if they are hand fed.

Do you want a pet for your classroom? Do you have a classroom pet, but would like help with supplies? Visit Pets in the Classroom and apply for your grant. It’s easy, it’s fast, and pets are fun!

One way to use your Pets in the Classroom grant is to adopt a pet.  There are many local rescue groups that serve small mammals, reptiles and birds, and find them stable, new homes for the pet’s lifetime.  Pets in the Classroom encourages all teachers to commit to their new classroom pet for its lifetime, and you may find a local rescue group that will agree to place a pet with you.

Petfinder.com is a great place to start your search for an adoptable pet.  You can search by type of animal or by zip code, and refine your search by size, gender, and specific breeds.  Did you know there are rescue groups for everything from snakes to rabbits to guinea pigs to rats?  Searching Petfinder.com’s database will give you access to listings of available pets and requirements of various local rescue groups.  You can then contact individual rescue groups to start a dialogue.

Most rescue groups have an adoption application and process you will need to go through.  If you are approved to adopt, most groups have an adoption contract and fee.  Most rescue groups provide valuable ongoing resources for their adopters regarding care of your new pet, so you’ll have someone to turn to with questions about feeding, behavior and care of the animal.  Many rescue animals are kept in foster homes, which is a benefit because the foster “parent” has interacted with the pet and has information on temperament, preferences of the pet and behavior that is very helpful.  They’ll know which pet will be best suited to life in a classroom and can help you make the most appropriate choice.

When looking for your new classroom pet, take a look at Petfinder.com and consider adopting. With your guidance and commitment, an unwanted pet can have a great new home in your classroom!

To apply for your grant just visit www.petsintheclassroom.org.

If spiders don’t give you the shivers, they can make fascinating pets.  Tarantulas are among the most popular pets and there are over 800 species of Theraphosidae that are native to a variety of areas and climates.  Before deciding on a tarantula for your classroom pet, you’ll need to know a little something about them.

The best tarantulas for beginners are the slower-moving burrowing types such as Chilean Rose, Costa Rican Zebra, Mexican Redknee, Desert/Mexican Blonde or Curly Hair Tarantula.  Female tarantulas generally live longer than males – sometimes up to 20 years!  When purchasing a tarantula, find out the scientific name, age and sex of the spider so you will know how to best care for it.

Tarantulas don’t need a large enclosure, but they do need substrate to burrow in, a hiding place, and a secure, ventilated top to the enclosure.  They are not social, and should be housed individually.  Once you know the requirements of your species of tarantula, you can determine proper temperature and humidity levels.  You may need to mist the enclosure once per week, or more frequently.  The tarantula’s water dish should be shallow to prevent drowning.  Most tarantulas don’t need to eat daily, but require a steady diet of crickets and other insects.

Handling the tarantula is not generally recommended, although they can become acclimated to being held on the palm of the hand. Spiders are easily injured if they jump or fall, and even a minor fall can be fatal.  They can bite if provoked, resulting a bite much like a bee sting, and some species have hairs that can be irritating to the skin.  Tarantulas can be a fascinating addition to your classroom study as students observe its behavior, feeding and molting process as it grows.

Pets in the Classroom is an educational grant program, to help you have a classroom pet for your students. Grants up to $150.00 are awarded to teachers, K-6th Grade, in Canada and the USA. Go to www.petsintheclassroom.org and apply for your grant online.

When you receive your Pets in the Classroom grant, you have the choice of where to get your new classroom pet.  There are a wide variety of retailers for small animals, birds, fish and pet supplies, and you will want to go to a reputable and knowledgeable retailer that can offer you expertise and advice on your new pet.  Many areas have local organizations of pet fanciers that can point you in the right direction.  A good pet store should be neat, clean and odor-free, and pets in the store should look healthy and well-cared for.  Look for active animals with clear eyes and good coats or coloring. Never buy an animal you think is sick or because you feel sorry for it. There should be friendly and knowledgeable sales associates to help you make the best choice for your classroom, and answer questions you may have on caring for your new pet.  There should be a good selection of food and supplies for the pet you are interested in.

Retail pet professionals should be honest in answering your questions about your classroom pet’s needs, instead of trying to sell you things you don’t need or that are inappropriate for the animal.  They may recommend equipment or supplies that will be better for your pet, based on their knowledge of the latest products available.  They should be able to recommend a local veterinarian who treats small animals, reptiles or birds, and will also recommend books that pertain to your pet. The retailer should be tremendous resources for teachers!

You’ll want to find a pet supply store that will be a good resource for you throughout the life of your classroom pet.  Questions may arise after you’ve had the pet for a while, or as the pet grows and matures, and you’ll want to have a professional who can help you meet your classroom pet’s needs along the way.

For additional information on Pets in the Classroom grants, tips, and more visit www.petsintheclassroom.org