Pill
bugs (also called roly-poly bugs, sow bugs, or wood lice) are fascinating. They are not insects but crustaceans.
The 14 legs are a dead give away! They are easy to find outdoors any time
of the year except winter, and they make good classroom animals. To find them, look under dead leaves, stones, or pieces of wood,
especially when the ground is damp. They can be kept in a container with
a lid, moist soil, some decaying vegetation, and a few slices of potato.
Slugs are also well suited for classroom use. Look for them in the same areas
you find pill bugs, especially after a rain. They are considered pests
by many gardeners, but kids love their slow, easy, and slimey nature.
A lidded container with damp soil, decaying vegetation, and a bit of lettuce
will suit them very well. (Make sure the lid fits tightly because slugs
can slither through very small openings.) Below are a few web links about
pill bugs, slugs, and other classroom animals.
Mealworms are another readily available and easy to care for animal species that's
work well in a classroom. Mealworm larva can be purchased in most pet
stores. Put them in a plastic container with a lid (and air holes), a couple
of inches of oatmeal, and some potato slices. Keep their environment dark,
dry, and room temperature. Metamorphosis will occur quickly and the larva
will soon become pupae and then mealworm beetles.
Newts are salamanders and they make ideal classroom pets for young children.
They are gentle, don't bite, and can be handled safely. Newts are easy
to feed and care for. They are readily available at most pet stores.
Hermit crabs are wonderful classroom animals because they are unusual, amusing,
and easy to keep. They are land crabs that live in trees in their native
habitat. A glass or plastic container, some sand, a few branches for climbing,
and a food and water dish is all they require. Hermit crabs need a humid
environment, so it is best to have a glass lid for the aquarium to keep
moisture inside. Dampen the sand periodically. When the crabs molt they
will dig holes in the sand and bury themselves for days at a time and
then reemerge. Dried food from a pet store will suit them, but they also
like fruit and, surprisingly, popcorn!
