New Job, New Classroom (Science), So Need Something Cool!

[Sweeden]

Hi Guys and Gals,
 
I'm in need of some advice. I have just finally got a job as a science teacher and the rooms are far too boring for my liking and not very scientific. I would call them clinical.
 
I have asked if I can have some plants and some animals. Now up to now I have got some ideas but I need something exotic and a little cool.
 
Up to now Definates are:
 
African Land Snail x1 (Heard they like to breed)
Prey Mantis'
Stick Insects
 
But I want something cool. Dont really want fish I was thinking crabs, frogs etc
 
Any Ideas? Needs to be ...
 
able to cope with Loud noise for 6 hours a day
Not able to bite the kids (H&S)
Can be left over a weekend.
 
Cheers for the help

 

[Sophie]

Axolotls? That thing moving around in my signature
They are a type of salamander that has failed to go through a certain stage of metamorphosis so remains fully aquatic. Pretty interesting for science!
Crabs and frogs tend to be semi-aquatic and can be a bit of a chore keeping them contained, most are escape artists!
 
With the Axolotls you follow the basic setup of a cold water tank pretty much, there's a few members on here who keep and breed them but have a surf around Google.
There's a variety of different colours available also.

 

[HHH]

i wouldnt go with the mantis. They might snap at the kids.. I think the african snail would be pretty cool although im thinking it might not do much.. How about soms type of fully aquatic frog? Altough im thinking you might not want that kind of thing.. I think an axolotl would be nice as well

 

[TallTree01]

Praying mantis are great! Take the kids out on a field trip to hunt for some. But there is a possibility it'll snap at the kids. They really have a punch from hell. Can draw blood and then start eating it. I know, I tried it.
Stick insects are like mantis only not carnivorous, they're fun too.
The kids probably won't get hyped for the snail til he grows to his adult size ( extra large ) .
As for other critters, reptiles fit perfectly. I wouldn't get snakes as they freak some kids out. I remember back in my science class there was the massive long neck turtle called mucus in a nice large tank. Geckos are cute. A chameleon could be good for watching his color changing capabilities with the kids.

 

[DrRob]

Axolotyl did spring immediately to mind, so long as you can put it somewhere properly cool.
 
Crayfish would also fit the bill.

 

[Steffyboy]

Axolotl's can be boring sometimes and the kids might get bored looking at them just sitting there!
Albino African frogs are cool and fun to watch when they start to grow large...mines hilarious!
Get a big tank and the kids could help you look after it...I'd be over the moon if i had a tank to look after when i was in School!
Just get an auto feeder for the weekends.
Endless hours of fun and entertainment watching the fish grow and bond with each other...go for the fish teacher man!!

 

[Sophie]

Praying mantis are great! Take the kids out on a field trip to hunt for some. But there is a possibility it'll snap at the kids. They really have a punch from hell. Can draw blood and then start eating it. I know, I tried it.

Stick insects are like mantis only not carnivorous, they're fun too.
The kids probably won't get hyped for the snail til he grows to his adult size ( extra large ) .
As for other critters, reptiles fit perfectly. I wouldn't get snakes as they freak some kids out. I remember back in my science class there was the massive long neck turtle called mucus in a nice large tank. Geckos are cute. A chameleon could be good for watching his color changing capabilities with the kids.

 
Majority of these will more than likely bite and are extremely costly to house properly with heating

 

[TallTree01]

Praying mantis are great! Take the kids out on a field trip to hunt for some. But there is a possibility it'll snap at the kids. They really have a punch from hell. Can draw blood and then start eating it. I know, I tried it.
Stick insects are like mantis only not carnivorous, they're fun too.
The kids probably won't get hyped for the snail til he grows to his adult size ( extra large ) .
As for other critters, reptiles fit perfectly. I wouldn't get snakes as they freak some kids out. I remember back in my science class there was the massive long neck turtle called mucus in a nice large tank. Geckos are cute. A chameleon could be good for watching his color changing capabilities with the kids.

 
Majority of these will more than likely bite and are extremely costly to house properly with heating

Hmmm. Didn't think of that.
Isn't the school funding though?

 

[Sophie]

 

 

Praying mantis are great! Take the kids out on a field trip to hunt for some. But there is a possibility it'll snap at the kids. They really have a punch from hell. Can draw blood and then start eating it. I know, I tried it.

Stick insects are like mantis only not carnivorous, they're fun too.
The kids probably won't get hyped for the snail til he grows to his adult size ( extra large ) .
As for other critters, reptiles fit perfectly. I wouldn't get snakes as they freak some kids out. I remember back in my science class there was the massive long neck turtle called mucus in a nice large tank. Geckos are cute. A chameleon could be good for watching his color changing capabilities with the kids.

 
Majority of these will more than likely bite and are extremely costly to house properly with heating

Hmmm. Didn't think of that.

Isn't the school funding though?

 


 
They're not going to just fund anything eh?
 
If that were the case, there are a TON of other animals I could think of that would be good..

 

[JellOh]

What about hermit crabs? They're pretty cool, but can grow pretty big and would then need a big tank. My sister has a bearded dragon and they are the coolest (he's actually sleeping on my chest right now). But, he would need a big cage and to be brought home at the end of the day. Some kind of amphibian could be cool, but I'm not sure how much hands on stuff you could do with a frog.

 

[Hibiscusmile]

 Sorry I missed this post, I raise mantis and they make the best pets for any youngster! They do not snap at people unless they are provoked! I have had thousands of them and only had one bite in all these years and that was because I did not see the mantis and was smashing it with my arm! They only require a couple insects a day to eat and room temps of 72F and cooler at night is fine. They live up to a year or more and are usually ok to just set on a nice plant and mist them each day and feed and they will most likely sit there till they die, as they are happy in one place if fed good. Check out my tips and tricks page on my site to see some fun things to do with them. A lot of people have misconceptions about the praying mantis, mostly because they are a very unique insect!