A class Hermit Crab, Stick Insect or Silkworms can be fun and exciting for schoolchildren, but it also has real educational, leadership and character-building value.
A class pet can teach children important values like compassion, empathy, respect, and responsibility for other living things, as well as give them much-needed leadership skills and stress relief.
Certain challenges still remain, like teaching children to cope with pet loss, the cost of ownership for teachers, and responsibility for the animal when school is not in session but again this is not necessarily a challenge as it is a learning opportunity for responsibility.
Hermit Crabs-
Fast Facts:
How long will my Hermit Crab live? They can live for 10-15 years
How big will my Hermit Crab grow? They will grow 1-8cm
What size of tank is recommended for my Hermit Crab? They require an enclosure of at least 30 x 30 x 30cm
What does a Hermit Crab eat? - Hermit crab food, with fruit and vegetables
How easy is it to look after a Hermit Crab? They are a low maintenance pet
Stick Insects-
Fast Facts:
How long will my Stick Insect live? They can live for 12-18 months
How big will my Stick Insect grow? They will grow 15-20cm in length
What size of tank is recommended for my Stick Insect? They require a plastic or mesh enclosure with good ventilation
What does a Stick Insect eat? - Eucalyptus leaves
How easy is it to look after Stick Insects? They are a low maintenance pet
Silkworms-
Fast Facts:
How long will my Silkworms live? They can live for 3-4 weeks before morphing into Moths
How big will my Silkworms grow? They will grow 5-7cm in length
What size of tank is recommended for my Silkworms? They require a plastic or mesh enclosure with good ventilation
What does a Silkworm eat? - Mulberry leaves
How easy is it to look after Silkworms? They are a low maintenance pet