Mammals include chinchillas, gerbils, Guinea pigs, hamsters, mice, rats, hedge hogs and rabbits. Amphibians include frogs, toads and salamanders, while fish included goldfish, Betas, guppies and other tropical fish. Invertebrates include ants, butterflies, cockroaches, crickets, mealworms, hermit crabs, crawfish, snails, spiders and a sea anemone. Teachers responding to the survey discussed the benefits and the downsides of resident animals in the classroom. A snake escaped from it's habitat and was later found in the principal's office.
Children are interested in animals and spend a lot of time interacting.
Children read about what is interesting to them, and companion animals top the list. Animals can facilitate social interaction and may alter childrens' attitudes about themselves or perhaps their ability to relate to others. Companion animals play an important role on our physical and emotional well being in a variety of settings. Teachers attending Pet Care Trust Animals in the Classroom Workshops report that students want to participate in daily care to insure the animals' well being. Organized and supervised interaction with a variety of animals species can result in positive lessons through the daily care, feeding and cleaning of animals, which may engender a sense of cooperation among students and may foster roles of responsibility and or compassion for the needs of the animals.