MrTeacher
Arachnopeon
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2017
- Messages
- 11
Hello Arachnoboards! (First Post woot!)
I am a 3rd grade teacher in California and I've been looking for a class pet for our classroom. After looking around from more common pets like bunnies to reptiles like bearded dragons, I couldn't really find one that made sense for our classroom. I almost settled on getting a pet fish for the students, but I know I can do better. So I've decided to do some research on tarantulas and I think they may be a perfect class pet as they would be great for the students to feed and watch grow. The class loved the idea luckily! I am in no ways having myself or my students handle these beautiful creatures, but they enjoyed the idea of feeding them and watching them grow over time (a better "fish" in my opinion).
Before I make the plunge, I just wanted to know if there are any tips or words of advice for having a tarantula as a class pet. I've been doing lots of research on care for T's, but I'm always up to learn more. And I already have firm rules in place to make sure kids don't disturb the T, tapping on the enclosure, etc.
Also, could anyone recommend any beginner T's for a classroom environment? I'm thinking of a tarantula that eats very often (so kids can feed it/watch it eat), is often out and on display, and one that grows pretty fast (molting is something the kids would love to see and would never get tired of). My novice research has led me to think the Lasiodora parahybana (Salmon pink birdeater) is a good choice considering what I'm looking for or even the Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens (Green Blue Bottle), but I of course want to hear suggestions from the experienced folks on this website!
Thanks so much for reading and hopefully you can help our class find a T that's right for us!
I am a 3rd grade teacher in California and I've been looking for a class pet for our classroom. After looking around from more common pets like bunnies to reptiles like bearded dragons, I couldn't really find one that made sense for our classroom. I almost settled on getting a pet fish for the students, but I know I can do better. So I've decided to do some research on tarantulas and I think they may be a perfect class pet as they would be great for the students to feed and watch grow. The class loved the idea luckily! I am in no ways having myself or my students handle these beautiful creatures, but they enjoyed the idea of feeding them and watching them grow over time (a better "fish" in my opinion).
Before I make the plunge, I just wanted to know if there are any tips or words of advice for having a tarantula as a class pet. I've been doing lots of research on care for T's, but I'm always up to learn more. And I already have firm rules in place to make sure kids don't disturb the T, tapping on the enclosure, etc.
Also, could anyone recommend any beginner T's for a classroom environment? I'm thinking of a tarantula that eats very often (so kids can feed it/watch it eat), is often out and on display, and one that grows pretty fast (molting is something the kids would love to see and would never get tired of). My novice research has led me to think the Lasiodora parahybana (Salmon pink birdeater) is a good choice considering what I'm looking for or even the Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens (Green Blue Bottle), but I of course want to hear suggestions from the experienced folks on this website!
Thanks so much for reading and hopefully you can help our class find a T that's right for us!