Amphibians as classroom pets

[feeds]

When I was at school a million years ago, a dedicated biology teacher kept a range of animals in their class, including several amphibians. Although times have changed in schools, a few dedicated teachers still like to do this - but is it a good idea?

The Herpetologists Education Committee of the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles (SSAR) has produced a document which summarizes the situation and suggests practical steps that teachers should take:

Considerations and Recommendations for Raising Live Amphibians in Classrooms

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[Fishman]

While it has been a long time since I was in any classroom as a student I think that it is a very good idea to have living creatures for the kids to learn from. My wife and I do volunteer work with a kids program (Destination Imagination) that takes us to schools a few times a year. We were recently in a class that was full of various fish tanks and terrariums. I couldn't help but think that those kids must have some very fun, exciting and educational days exploring life cycles.

[Jerseyzuks]

When I was in 2nd grade, there was a teacher who had fish tanks, terrariums, lizards, snakes, frogs, and various other animals in his classroom. How I longed to be in that class! Unfortunately, the only time I ever spent time in there was when all of the classes would get together to watch a movie.