I just got a new betta the other day and he has problems with eating. He will go after the food, chew it a little, then spit it out. He keeps going after the pellets but always ends up spitting them out. What could be the problem? He isn't hungry or doesn't like the food? Are the pellets maybe too big?
Try the tiny Hikari Biogold Betta Pellets (they're the smallest). I experienced this with my bettas when feeding the larger sized pellet food. aimee
On 6/05/07, Jaci wrote: > I just got a new betta the other day and he has problems > with eating. He will go after the food, chew it a little, > then spit it out. He keeps going after the pellets but > always ends up spitting them out. What could be the > problem? He isn't hungry or doesn't like the food? Are > the pellets maybe too big?
I have a guinea pig in my K class. Children take it home each weekend. Parent clean the cage over the weekend and I have fifth graders come clean it on Thurs. I have had pet rats (hair and hairless). I still think the guinea pig is the best.
I would love to bring my pet chinchilla "Smokey" to school and share him with my fourth graders, but I'm afraid of him getting sick or hurt. Can someone give me some tips?
I bought my two chinchillas for classroom pets and it didn't work for me, they ended up being home pets. My classroom didn't stay an even temp. for them at nights. I tried brining them back and forth each day and that wasn't something that worked well for me. Also, mine are more active in the evening since they are a nocturnal animal. So, I wasn't around to give them attention during the time they were fully awake and needed it.
Also, mine were pretty wiggly and not exactly easy for little kids to hold on to. (My kiddos were 2nd grade though not forth)
So, "Tofu" and "Ebby" became home pets instead of classroom pets for me. Good luck if you decided to do it, I hope it works better for you than it did for me!
On 6/19/07, JEN wrote: > I would love to bring my pet chinchilla "Smokey" to school > and share him with my fourth graders, but I'm afraid of him > getting sick or hurt. Can someone give me some tips?
I haven't used that particular med, but I know most other antibiotics cause cloudiness. Just be sure to do a water change (either as instructed or before a new dose). The good bacteria will die while the water is being treated and the ammonia will rise if you don't keep the water clean.
Hope that helps, aimee
On 6/23/07, By Lukes Mother wrote: > Dose anyone Know if The betta Fix Remedy cauzes the tank > to get alittle cloudy??? We Have about a 2 gal. so....
I have 30 baby madagascar hissing cockroaches that I'm trying to find homes for. They are quite fascinating to watch and own. They don't bite and don't mind being handled when they get older and bigger. Kids get a big kick out of them when they make their load hissing noise when you touch them. They're very easy to take care of.If there are any teachers out there that think they would make a good addition to their classroom please contact me, I'm only asking $5.00 each for them to cover the cost of postage. Thanks!
MadisonMadison; I would love to have a hissing cockroach. I need a small easy animal and these seem perfect. If your still selling them, i would certainly be interested!
lollyI have plenty of hissing cockroaches if anyone wants some. Just pay for shipping! E-mail me!
On 7/28/09, Madison wrote: > Madison; I would love to have a hissing cockroach. I need a small > easy animal and these seem perfect. If your still selling them, i > would certainly be interested!
Just got a little bunny, a few weeks ago. It is still summer but I found her at a pet store, just went in to look, and had to have her. Tickle is adorable, sweet, intelligent, curious and relatively easy to care for. She doesn't require as much attention as you would think. I hold her and let her run around about an hour a day, sometimes a little less. Her food and bedding is inexpensive and all the neighborhood kids LOVE her. I definetly reccomend a rabbit for a school pet if you like animals and don't mind cuddling with an adorable little cotton tail!
Hi! I will be a first year teacher this year, and I'm looking for an easy to care for class pet. I was thinking about a hermit crab....what do you think? I'm going to teach 3rd grade!
DOn 7/06/07, Dana wrote: > On 6/30/07, 1st Year Teacher wrote: >> Hi! I will be a first year teacher this year, and I'm >> looking for an easy to care for class pet. I was thinking >> about a hermit crab....what do you think? I'm going to >> teach 3rd grade! > > Hi, > First off hermit crabs are hard pets to take care of.They > need humidifeirs and they need huge tanks with glass > lids.They need their humidity at 75-90 always it can't get > below that or they could get very stressed.Also hermit crabs > need friends they can't live alone.Then they could die of > stress and from being lonely.I think you should maybe get > something furry for them.Since reptiles are harder and need > a basking spot a cold spot and a normal like 75 in there > cage.Try maybe like a hamster,a rat(I have 4 they are very > friendly and are nocturnal just like hermit crabs)or maybe I > don't know a guinea pig. But,if you really want a hermit > crab go to Thecrabbagepatch.com and look up there carre > sheet and go to HERMIT-CRABS.com.Well hope you make the > right choice.Trust me I am getting hermit crabs and am > getting like 20!They need and love friends.
Hi, We have a child care center and for our pet we chose hermit crabs. I can't think of a better pet. The children just love them. Hermit crabs take such little care and there is no smelly cage to keep clean. We spray the sand once a day and feed and water about three times a week. Other than keeping up with their shells (which I always keep plenty of sizes) they are very little work. If you do decide on hermit crabs besure to get the small ones. We did and my children have gotten to watch them grow. Our littlest one the children still call her baby has grown three shell sizes. We still have and compare her first shell. We enjoy them so much our son has his own tank at home.
uOn 9/13/07, fally wrote: > On 7/06/07, Dana wrote: >> On 7/01/07, Sel wrote: >>> Hermit Crabs are fun animals to observe when they are active >>> but they are nocturnal so most of the time your kids don't >>> get to see that. They also have a short life span in >>> captivity. I used them for classroom pe...See MoreOn 9/13/07, fally wrote: > On 7/06/07, Dana wrote: >> On 7/01/07, Sel wrote: >>> Hermit Crabs are fun animals to observe when they are active >>> but they are nocturnal so most of the time your kids don't >>> get to see that. They also have a short life span in >>> captivity. I used them for classroom pets for years. >>> However, about four years ago I got a turtle and I still >>> have him. He was very small to begin with but now he is >>> huge. I am very attached to him and the kids love him. The >>> initial set up is time consuming and slightly expensive but >>> after that he hasn't been much trouble at all. He is very >>> active and swims and suns on his log during the day. His >>> behaviors change during the year and there is lots for the >>> kids to observe and draw conclusions about. Hope this helps. >>> >>> 6/30/07, 1st Year Teacher wrote: >>>> Hi! I will be a first year teacher this year, and I'm >>>> looking for an easy to care for class pet. I was thinking >>>> about a hermit crab....what do you think? I'm going to >>>> teach 3rd grade! > I think Hermit crabs are great for a class Pet if your looking > for a pet that you want to make it live long this pet might not > be the one your looking for.
Hi, I'm a first year teacher that inherited a large aquarium (~60 gallons) that does not have anything in it. I was hoping to be able to grow aquatic plants in it so I can use them for labs (biology class), but I thought it would be nice to have something aside from plants. Any suggestions for an aquatic class pet that won't eat live plants? Thanks! Kate
Hi, Albino African Clawed Frogs would be perfect due to the fact that they are completly aquatic and all you have to feed them is shrimp pellets. You dont have to take them out of the tank and they are fun to look at. Certainly for young students!
On 7/05/07, Michelle wrote: > Hi, Albino African Clawed Frogs would be perfect due to the > fact that they are completly aquatic and all you have to > feed them is shrimp pellets. You dont have to take them out > of the tank and they are fun to look at. Certainly for young > students!
I've been tempted to buy these for my classroom, but I keep reading about how difficult it is to keep them from escaping. Do you have personal experience with the frogs and keeping them from getting out? thanks
Keeping animals in the classroom teaches the wrong kind of lesson. Rather than teaching responsibility for animals' well-being, allowing animals to be used as "learning tools" lowers their status in the minds of students. Young people make generalizations based on the lessons that they learn from authority figures and can conceive of an endless variety of disrespectful and harmful animal "uses" once they are taught that animals are "tools." Teaching children about the responsibility involved in caring for captive animals ignores the question of whether animals belong in cages at all. Teachers who want to teach students about animals and responsibility should lead discussions about ethical issues such as these, rather than setting examples that encourage children to confine animals for human use.
When the school year ends, these "pets" frequently end up in already-overworked shelters or at the homes of students who claim that they can provide "good homes." Unfortunately, important screening procedures-such as home checks and interviews with the entire family-are often overlooked by hurried, overworked teachers at the end of the school year, and this oversight can lead to tragic consequences for animals.
Even if a student has behaved responsibly toward animals in the classroom, his or her siblings might be abusive or reckless, or the student might become bored with the animal. Once at a student's home, many classroom "pets" are ignored and deprived of both human contact and appropriate companions of their own species. Students who do not understand the responsibility and time that animal companions require may neglect to fill water bottles, provide food, or clean cages.
Students can and do learn about responsibility, animal behavior, and hands-on science without the presence of animals in their classrooms, and there are far more constructive ways to learn about living beings than by holding them captive in hazardous and neglectful school environments.
Although I appreciate your concern for the well being of animals and their uses in the classroom, I have to say that your posting is a little extreme and accusatory. It is unfair to generalize all teachers who do have classroom pets as irresponsible. It is also irrational to state that keeping pets in the classroom teaches the wrong lesson.
First, you generalize that all teachers give up their pets to whoever may want them or that all teachers hand them over to a pet shelter at the end of the year. Many teachers take their pets home at the end of the year and during long breaks.
Second, pets are pets. I can honestly say I do not see an end to caged pets such as hamsters, guinea pigs, fish, turtles, etc. Sad? Yes, but true. I applaud your fervor on this subject and encourage you to discuss your point of view with your students; however, everyone is entitled to an opinion. Your students may not agree with you and you probably will have many students who do have caged pets at home. Perhaps discussing responsible choices and consequences of bad choices would benefit children and prove to be a more realistic lesson.
Next, I believe that classroom pets are good "tools" for teaching life science. You mentioned that there are other hands-on activities to teach about life science and responsibility. Yes, but how authentic are they? Please share the hands on activities that allow children to be an eyewitness and chart daily feeding habits of different species of fish or witness and chart the life cycle of a butterfly?
Finally, I like to think that all teachers are caring individuals and do not leave all daily care responsibilities solely to the discretion of their young students. Pets are living creatures that should be treated humanely and cared for with the highest level of attention. A really good, caring teacher will TEACH his or her students these values and responsibilities AND will act as a guide to ensure the safety and well-being of the class pet(s). A good teacher uses any responsible means to make learning interesting, engaging, and meaningful.
Many children have never had responsible pet ownership modeled for them. Some families don't have pets, and some kids have watched adults neglect/abuse pets (or people). They need a good example. Teachers can show children what it means to respect and care for a weaker, dependent being. Open discussion of the responsibilities of pet owners, combined with well-supervised pet-care tasks and a compassionate adult's role model, can help kids grow in the right way. If more children had this kind of good example, a lot of cases of animal cruelty might actually be prevented. Most children naturally form attachments to animals very quickly and are unlikely to see pets as "tools" unless they pick up this attitude from the teacher. If the teacher treats the animal with compassion and makes expectations clear, the students will very likely do the same.
Classroom pets' role can go far beyond science. They can be the topic of creative or expository writing projects, poems, artwork, and even drama. With a little creativity, children's interest in animals can be extended to draw them into almost any subject.
-Is Getting a Pet in the Best Interest of My Class? Answer the following questions: Why do I want a pet? Do NOT get a pet if you answer: To interest the students To be a 'popular' classroom Because someone you know has a pet that needs another home To teach kids responsibility - kids need to be responsible BEFORE they get a pet. Do get a pet if: You love animals and want to share that with your students You want to demonstrate responsible pet ownership Who will care for the pet? YOU WILL - you are the responsible adult. You must care for the pet. If you assign duties to students be sure it is used as a reward, not a punishment. It is not fair to the animal to have half-hearted, reluctant care. You are responsible for monitoring and follow-up. What happens over vacations?
The riskiest time for a pet is when it goes home with a student's family over vacation. There are many injuries and deaths due to over zealous handling, less than adequate care and jealous or undisciplined existing house pets. You, the teacher, needs to be responsible for the pet over vacation. If you don't take it home, be CERTAIN that the family that does is committed and knowledgeable.
Other things to consider with the go-home-with-a-student vacation plan is:
Who pays for vet care over the vacation? Who makes decisions, especially emergency medical decisions? Who is liable for the pet's behavior? Who is liable? Be certain that your school encourages classroom pets, and has a plan in place to deal with possible student inquiry or illness and any parent concerns. Health Issues Allergies - certain animals such as cats, rabbits and small rodents, along with some wood chip bedding is very allergenic. Before getting a pet, decide how well you handle student allergies. Injuries - animals may bite, scratch or peck when handled. Have a plan in place for any injuries, and be sure the students and any substitute instructor knows what to do. Immunosuppression- immunosuppressed people are at a much greater risk for infections. Immunosuppression is seen in the following groups of people: Transplant patients HIV + Leukemia or cancer patients Some students being treated for asthma, allergies, skin rashes or lupus Be aware of any students with these conditions. Common Classroom Pet Mistakes Improper housing- using that cracked aquarium to house reptiles and small rodents. Aquariums with screen tops have inadequate ventilation leading to many respiratory infections in small rodents. Screen tops on reptile housing does not allow the enclosure to stay warm enough. Habitrail enclosures also have improper ventilation. Improper husbandry- Common mistakes include: Small rodents- using Cedar chip bedding and feeding a diet with sunflower seeds. Small rodents should be housed on hard wood chips, aspen chips or pine chips, NEVER CEDAR CHIPS. Cedar chips are not absorbent and are very abrasive. The aromatic cedar oils responsible for the aroma also coat the animal causing respiratory and liver dysfunction.
Diets containing seeds are very detrimental. They contain no vitamins, minerals or protein. A proper diet consists of rodent 'blocks'. See husbandry hand-outs for details.
Guinea pigs and Rabbits- Improper diet- guinea pigs and rabbits should not be feed commercial pellets free choice. Too many pellets cause obesity and urinary tract problems. An appropriate diet must include free-choice grass hay ( not straw, not alfalfa) 1/4 cup of pellets per 5 lbs of animal, and well washed fresh vegetables and a few fruits. Guinea pigs require Vitamin C in their diet. Reptiles Temperature- Tropical reptiles require temperatures in the 80 degrees Fahrenheit range. This is difficult to maintain. Reptiles are very intolerant to temperature changes, this is an important consideration during vacations and overnight during colder months. Diet- Most reptiles illnesses are due to improper husbandry or diet. Be sure you know what to feed your reptile a complete and balanced diet. Veterinary Care
Before illness occurs, identify a veterinarian knowledgeable in the care of your classroom pet. Just because a veterinarian agrees to see your pet does not mean that he/she is knowledgeable in rodent or reptile care.
Some exotic animal veterinarians. (Veterinarians, please note, you may request to have your clinic added to the list below by e-mailing to [email removed])
Cedar Pet Clinic, 3447 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis, 721- 7431 Como Park Animal Hospital, 1014 N. Dale St., St. Paul, 487- 3255 Money- Who will pay for the care?
Reptiles, rabbits and guinea pigs are prone to several illnesses that are treatable but expensive. Animals also sustain injuries during handling. Rabbits and guinea pigs should be neutered. Are you willing to spend the money required?
Pet Death - Are you prepared to explain a pet's death to your class? How will you handle issues like euthanasia?
On 7/02/07, Wendeline Wagner, DVM, MS wrote: > -Is Getting a Pet in the Best Interest of My Class? > Answer the following questions: > Why do I want a pet? > Do NOT get a pet if you answer: > To interest the students > To be a 'popular' classroom > Because someone you know has a pet that needs another home > To teach kids responsibility - kids need to be responsible > BEFORE they get a pet. > Do get a pet if: > You love animals and want to share that with your students > You want to demonstrate responsible pet ownership > Who will care for the pet? > YOU WILL - you are the responsible adult. You must care > for the pet. If you assign duties to students be sure it > is used as a reward, not a punishment. It is not fair to > the animal to have half-hearted, reluctant care. You are > responsible for monitoring and follow-up. > What happens over vacations? > > > > The riskiest time for a pet is when it goes home with a > student's family over vacation. There are many injuries > and deaths due to over zealous handling, less than > adequate care and jealous or undisciplined existing house > pets. You, the teacher, needs to be responsible for the > pet over vacation. If you don't take it home, be CERTAIN > that the family that does is committed and knowledgeable. > > Other things to consider with the go-home-with-a-student > vacation plan is: > > Who pays for vet care over the vacation? > Who makes decisions, especially emergency medical > decisions? > Who is liable for the pet's behavior? > Who is liable? > Be certain that your school encourages classroom pets, and > has a plan in place to deal with possible student inquiry > or illness and any parent concerns. > Health Issues > Allergies - certain animals such as cats, rabbits and > small rodents, along with some wood chip bedding is very > allergenic. Before getting a pet, decide how well you > handle student allergies. > Injuries - animals may bite, scratch or peck when handled. > Have a plan in place for any injuries, and be sure the > students and any substitute instructor knows what to do. > Immunosuppression- immunosuppressed people are at a much > greater risk for infections. Immunosuppression is seen in > the following groups of people: > Transplant patients > HIV + > Leukemia or cancer patients > Some students being treated for asthma, allergies, skin > rashes or lupus > Be aware of any students with these conditions. > Common Classroom Pet Mistakes > Improper housing- using that cracked aquarium to house > reptiles and small rodents. Aquariums with screen tops > have inadequate ventilation leading to many respiratory > infections in small rodents. Screen tops on reptile > housing does not allow the enclosure to stay warm enough. > Habitrail enclosures also have improper ventilation. > Improper husbandry- Common mistakes include: > Small rodents- using Cedar chip bedding and feeding a diet > with sunflower seeds. Small rodents should be housed on > hard wood chips, aspen chips or pine chips, NEVER CEDAR > CHIPS. Cedar chips are not absorbent and are very > abrasive. The aromatic cedar oils responsible for the > aroma also coat the animal causing respiratory and liver > dysfunction. > > > > Diets containing seeds are very detrimental. They contain > no vitamins, minerals or protein. A proper diet consists > of rodent 'blocks'. See husbandry hand-outs for details. > > Guinea pigs and Rabbits- Improper diet- guinea pigs and > rabbits should not be feed commercial pellets free choice. > Too many pellets cause obesity and urinary tract problems. > An appropriate diet must include free-choice grass hay ( > not straw, not alfalfa) 1/4 cup of pellets per 5 lbs of > animal, and well washed fresh vegetables and a few fruits. > Guinea pigs require Vitamin C in their diet. > Reptiles > Temperature- Tropical reptiles require temperatures in the > 80 degrees Fahrenheit range. This is difficult to > maintain. Reptiles are very intolerant to temperature > changes, this is an important consideration during > vacations and overnight during colder months. > Diet- Most reptiles illnesses are due to improper > husbandry or diet. Be sure you know what to feed your > reptile a complete and balanced diet. > Veterinary Care > > > > Before illness occurs, identify a veterinarian > knowledgeable in the care of your classroom pet. Just > because a veterinarian agrees to see your pet does not > mean that he/she is knowledgeable in rodent or reptile > care. > > Some exotic animal veterinarians. (Veterinarians, please > note, you may request to have your clinic added to the > list below by e-mailing to [email removed]?
hmmm this looks like a flagrant ad "cleverly" disgused as Pet info
Thank you for the excellent post. You brought up a lot of issues that I hadn't give much thought to before. MM in Arizona
On 7/02/07, Wendeline Wagner, DVM, MS wrote: > -Is Getting a Pet in the Best Interest of My Class? > Answer the following questions: > Why do I want a pet? > Do NOT get a pet if you answer: > To interest the students > To be a 'popular' classroom > Because someone you know has a pet that needs another home > To teach kids responsibility - kids need to be responsible > BEFORE they get a pet. > Do get a pet if: > You love animals and want to share that with your students > You want to demonstrate responsible pet ownership > Who will care for the pet? > YOU WILL - you are the responsible adult. You must care > for the pet. If you assign duties to students be sure it > is used as a reward, not a punishment. It is not fair to > the animal to have half-hearted, reluctant care. You are > responsible for monitoring and follow-up. > What happens over vacations? > > > > The riskiest time for a pet is when it goes home with a > student's family over vacation. There are many injuries > and deaths due to over zealous handling, less than > adequate care and jealous or undisciplined existing house > pets. You, the teacher, needs to be responsible for the > pet over vacation. If you don't take it home, be CERTAIN > that the family that does is committed and knowledgeable. > > Other things to consider with the go-home-with-a-student > vacation plan is: > > Who pays for vet care over the vacation? > Who makes decisions, especially emergency medical > decisions? > Who is liable for the pet's behavior? > Who is liable? > Be certain that your school encourages classroom pets, and > has a plan in place to deal with possible student inquiry > or illness and any parent concerns. > Health Issues > Allergies - certain animals such as cats, rabbits and > small rodents, along with some wood chip bedding is very > allergenic. Before getting a pet, decide how well you > handle student allergies. > Injuries - animals may bite, scratch or peck when handled. > Have a plan in place for any injuries, and be sure the > students and any substitute instructor knows what to do. > Immunosuppression- immunosuppressed people are at a much > greater risk for infections. Immunosuppression is seen in > the following groups of people: > Transplant patients > HIV + > Leukemia or cancer patients > Some students being treated for asthma, allergies, skin > rashes or lupus > Be aware of any students with these conditions. > Common Classroom Pet Mistakes > Improper housing- using that cracked aquarium to house > reptiles and small rodents. Aquariums with screen tops > have inadequate ventilation leading to many respiratory > infections in small rodents. Screen tops on reptile > housing does not allow the enclosure to stay warm enough. > Habitrail enclosures also have improper ventilation. > Improper husbandry- Common mistakes include: > Small rodents- using Cedar chip bedding and feeding a diet > with sunflower seeds. Small rodents should be housed on > hard wood chips, aspen chips or pine chips, NEVER CEDAR > CHIPS. Cedar chips are not absorbent and are very > abrasive. The aromatic cedar oils responsible for the > aroma also coat the animal causing respiratory and liver > dysfunction. > > > > Diets containing seeds are very detrimental. They contain > no vitamins, minerals or protein. A proper diet consists > of rodent 'blocks'. See husbandry hand-outs for details. > > Guinea pigs and Rabbits- Improper diet- guinea pigs and > rabbits should not be feed commercial pellets free choice. > Too many pellets cause obesity and urinary tract problems. > An appropriate diet must include free-choice grass hay ( > not straw, not alfalfa) 1/4 cup of pellets per 5 lbs of > animal, and well washed fresh vegetables and a few fruits. > Guinea pigs require Vitamin C in their diet. > Reptiles > Temperature- Tropical reptiles require temperatures in the > 80 degrees Fahrenheit range. This is difficult to > maintain. Reptiles are very intolerant to temperature > changes, this is an important consideration during > vacations and overnight during colder months. > Diet- Most reptiles illnesses are due to improper > husbandry or diet. Be sure you know what to feed your > reptile a complete and balanced diet. > Veterinary Care > > > > Before illness occurs, identify a veterinarian > knowledgeable in the care of your classroom pet. Just > because a veterinarian agrees to see your pet does not > mean that he/she is knowledgeable in rodent or reptile > care. > > Some exotic animal veterinarians. (Veterinarians, please > note, you may request to have your clinic added to the > list below by e-mailing to [email removed]?
Try the tiny Hikari Biogold Betta Pellets (they're the
smallest). I experienced this with my bettas when feeding
the larger sized pellet food.
aimee
On 6/05/07, Jaci wrote:
> I just got a new betta the other day and he has problems
> with eating. He will go after the food, chew it a little,...See More