The students aren't interested in the class pet logistics, mind you. ("Who's going to clean up the poop?" "Oh, Mrs. Taylor, don't worry about that. We can take it outside like a dog.") They're interested in 1. how cute the animal is and 2. if we can get it NOW.
By the way, I go on maternity leave in late-February/early-March. Responsibility for a class pet would set any reasonable substitute over the edge.
Regardless, here's the current front runner:
 |
| This is called an Emperor tamarin |
Granted, this little guy or gal is pretty darn cute. The children aptly pointed out that the mustache makes it look thoughtful and intelligent. But here's my practical, boring grown-up question: are people are even ALLOWED to have these cuties as pets?
Here's some information I found: from the BBC, from a university, from the San Francisco Zoo, and from a news site that reported an Emperor tamarin theft.
QUESTIONS: Based on all of that information, is this an appropriate class pet? Tell me what you think (based on knowledge. Ahem), including info from one or more articles to support your thinking. Then, if you no longer think an Emperor tamarin would be an appropriate pet, tell me what pet would be more appropriate and why.
No it would not be appropriate pet because he might bite.
ReplyDeleteHe might act crazy in the class. Also, the San Francisco Zoo site says that
tamarins like to live in groups and couples. So this would not work if we are only allowed to have 1 pet.
What would be appropriate is a snake because they can live alone and they are calm and can live in a tank.
Nicolas per. 8/9
Nice job noticing the fact that, in order for the little friend to be happy, I'd need to have a buddy for him/her. That would be problematic.
DeleteI am very interested in having a snake, but I don't think I would be able to feed it. Do any of you have experience with snakes as pets, or do you have a former teacher who has one?
I don't think this would be an appropriate class pet because monkeys while cute and smart can be very nice they are also very dangerous and possibly aggressive. I think that a more appropriate class pet would be a hamster because they are very docile nice easy to care for and cute.
DeleteCarl period 5/7
I don't think a monkey would be any fun but a baby Zebra that would be awesome!!
DeleteIf there are no baby Zebras for sale than I think we should get a little pet like a guine pig because there cute and make funny noises.
DOMINIC CALCARA 5/7
it is a not a monkey it is a Territorial.
DeleteOh gosh -- a baby zebra! I wonder how long they are relatively small... and I also wonder what their temperaments are like.
DeleteCarl, I think a hamster or a mouse would be reasonable.
It would be a good pet because of its diet. The zoo site says it eats fruit and some other things that humans eat. It would be easy to find food for it. That is why it would be a good class pet.
ReplyDeleteRegan per. 3/4
Now fruit and human foods would be easy to do! As I mentioned in my reply to Nico, I am very hesitant about how I would feed some other pets (snake = dead mice, right?), but I could handle the foods that you mention for a tamarin. Hmm...
DeleteI dont thing people would want to see you feed the snake a mouse. (Tatum)
DeleteErin 3/4
Oh gosh, Erin, could you imagine? I would have to do it during my plan period or before/after school ... or pay kids Starbucks to do it for me!
DeleteI think it could be an appropriate pet but the only problem is that the BBC website said that its environment is Broadleaf or evergreen forests so places with trees. so how are we going to let it jump around and stuff.It also said that it they call out loudly to announce there presence,and what if it poops on someone? But anyway i think it would be awesome to get one of these!
ReplyDeleteP.S. the pets name should be McLovin
Kameron 8/9
If it poops on someone, we would not get any work done for days after. When people see a dead bug in my room, it's distracting enough. The poop issue is certainly a complication.
DeleteI think it would also be challenging to establish a broadleaf or evergreen forest in my room, though the room is a nice size. (Good detail you found!)
I wonder if there's another cute, preferably mustached, creature that doesn't require as much space or run the risk of pooping on students' heads.
It's probably not a good class pet choice because if it goes crazy and attacks someone there might be a problem.(The San Francisco zoo says they're aggresive beacuse of territorial issuues.) Also it says it grooms other monkeys, and that could happen to us (but, it's not like we don't need it.) I think it would be cool to have as a pet though, and he would fit in with all your other monkeys in class.
ReplyDeleteNico 8/9
"he would fit in with all your other monkeys in class"
DeleteBest. comment. ever.
:)
I think this is proably not a good class pet because on BBC, it said that they call loudly to announce their presence which would disturb the class. Also because it said that the Emperor Tamarin are cabable of leaping across branches and we do not have the room or the branches. I think a better class pet is a guniue pig because they do not make as much noise and can be kept in cages for a long peroide time without whining or fusing.
ReplyDeleteHannah 5/7
Oh gosh -- we do not need one more living creature announcing its presence in our room! (See Nico's comment above)
DeleteHas anyone ever been in a class with a pet guinea pig? Are they indeed pretty quiet... and not stinky?
I don't think that this would be a good class pet, because it could escape or bite someone the zoo also says that this monekey has territorial issues . I think that it would be cool to have a class pet but maybe not this one maybe something easery and smaller to take care of
ReplyDeleteAileigh 8/9
Territorial issues are not good... I run out of desks as it is, and if the tamarin decided to get territorial with a desk, it could get ugly.
DeleteMaybe a little mouse? (I just loved -- and still love -- Stuart Little, but I'm sure i couldn't dress a real one in little outfits)
Noooooooo I was really hoping to get the Territorial.
Delete:(
Erin 3/4
I dont think this would be a good class pet because BBC.com says that they life in evergreen and broadleaf forests. Also it says that they typically live in groups of four so we would have to get more than one of them.But it would be really cool to have a class pet,maybe we could get something smaller like a fish or turtle.:)
ReplyDeleteLilly 8/9
Oooh someone mentioned that they were social, but I missed the detail about groups of FOUR! Holy cow. That would probably be a no-go.
DeleteYa but it doesnt have to be in a group. It will love the people in my class.
DeleteErin 3/4
Yes, I bet some sixth graders could serve as appropriate substitutes for other Emperor tamarins, Erin!
DeleteI think this would be an awesome class pet because they can live to about 20 years long so that means you could have it for a long time.
ReplyDeleteAnd they have a diet of fruit and seeds that we could provide for it. according to yahoo answers they say it is wrong to own one, but they might be wrong.i think we should get one anyway!!!!!
luke 3/4
Oh goodie... I could be taking care of it well into my 50s! How... thrilling. :)
DeleteWould students bring in food for it, or would I be responsible for providing the food?
Remind me to talk about Yahoo Answers as a source, Luke. (and everyone else!)
The substitute teacher doesn't have to take care of the calss pet, I would and I'm sure plenty of other students especially in my class period would love helping out with that.
ReplyDeleteThese things, even though they're awesome and cute and have a mustache they're kind of rare and I don't think the school would let you take one in, but it's worth a try. As the people above said it might poop on somebody or attack somebody...uhmm...don't be mean to it, run fast, and wear a hat. Problem solved.
I'd love to have this guy as a class pet though it's probably not going to happen considering all of the above comments and issues and the negativity of you're 8/9 period class (hmph). Though it's definitely worth a try and worth looking into it. Since that's probably not going to happen, you suggested a guinea pig, that's a bad idea because those things are MEAN! I help one at the pet store and it didn't like me and it bit me and peed on me. NO GUINEA PIGS THEY'RE EVIL. A realistic, genuine, availible, legal, possible, awesome, cute, lovable, nonrare suggestion is a chinchilla. They're super cute, they're fuzzy. They have no odor, they're quiet (except if you squeeze them, then they bark like a dog, it's really weird...don't' squeeze them like my brother did). They don't need much attention, they just need to be let out for 45+ minutes a day. They don't bite usually, they like people. They like darkness (see ,y fellow vampire class...this is a good idea) but are ok with light if it's not excruciatingly bright. They're super cute, fairly low maintence, not rare, not odorous, not extremely expensive, and you don't need a jungle in your room or anything. All you need is a dustbath, any size cage (they're fine in a tiny cage but happier in a bigger one), a wood chew toy, and hay/chinchilla kibble. For treats you can give them raisins but don't give them too much because in my dad's words it's "chinchilla crack" or a nicer way to say it if you give them too many they start going crazy, get fat, and they're eyes get all shaky...three a day is a healthy amoumt (one for each block!). I think you should definitely get a class pet because that would be awesome, and an insentive, and it'd make school less boring. You suggested a mouse, but they don't live so long and we'd all be really sad if our class pet died. Chinchillas can live up to 25 years, and don't poop on kids' heads. You should definitely get a class pet, no matter what it is.
-Caidyn 3/4
That was long...I got carried away about chichillas...I like chinchillas.
DeleteCaidyn, I like how passionate you are about them! They are super cute.
DeleteI was intrigued by your reply, so I wanted to find out more information about chincillas as pets. I went to the Petsmart website, and I found this: http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3893773
I thought it was funny that the pets are rated with stars.
I like that the chinchilla is described as a "low odor" pet. I seem to recall that guinea pigs are a little stinky. Is that right? A chinchilla could be a better choice.
What do y'all think this means? "State and local regulations may vary." Do you think they are illegal in some places?
Ms. Barhorst volunteers quite a bit at the Humane Society. If you have her for math, ask her if she knows anything about chinchillas as pets -- if they are allowed in Ohio.
Thanks for making me so interested in these cutie pies, Caidyn!
Although I would really want this emperor tarmarin we would have to get two because of their social behavior they have to be contained with another one so that would not be very suitable for a class pet…. I think a guinea pig would be a great class pet since its pretty small and is also cute…. That would also be easy to have two or more is because they are also ones that like to be kept in pairs but they're small enough that it would be a lot easier to handle then emperor tamarin.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I would really want this emperor tarmarin we would have to get two because of their social behavior they have to be contained with another one so that would not be very suitable for a class pet…. I think a guinea pig would be a great class pet since its pretty small and is also cute…. That would also be easy to have two or more is because they are also ones that like to be kept in pairs but they're small enough that it would be a lot easier to handle then emperor tamarin.
ReplyDelete-Josh 5/7
The one that said the something is also mine I forgot to put my name on it...
Thanks for re-posting, Josh! From everyone's research, including yours, it looks like the Emperor tamarin requires too much space. I'm starting to think more about:
Delete1. chinchillas
2. guinea pigs
3. mice
Even though I want a monkey as a class pet I don't think it is a good idea. I think this because based on info I read they need a big home/cage and I don't think u have enough space. Also I think if you got one you would probably have to get another one for company. Also it might be to much work.
ReplyDelete-Emily 8/9
I don't think it would be a appropriate idea.I think this because it could be a dangerous animal to take care of. And it could be tiring taking care of a monkey with all the feeding and cleaning. What if the monkey bites a student or gets loose and go crazy? And i don't think it's safe,unless it's well trained. But it would be nice having a class pet! :)
ReplyDelete-Stephanie 8/9
I wonder if there are people who train monkeys to be pets! Regardless, I'd worry that we could never fully train the wild animal out of it and that it could still go nuts. Sixth grade is nutty enough anyway :)
DeleteThis would not be a good class pet because it would be sad if it had to live by itself. The BBC site said that tamarins usually live in groups of four. Also, if we put it in a cage, it would be sad because it's used to running around. The article says, "They have territories of up to 30-40 ha, which they patrol regularly and defend against other tamarins."
ReplyDeleteI think a lizard would be a good class pet because it won't hurt you and it's easy to feed. It eats baby food, worms and crickets--all of these things are easy to find at the store.
Andillah 3/4
the good things about having a class pet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDelete1. It's cute
2. I think that it would be nice to have a class pet
3. It has a mustache :{)
4. It would live for at lest 15-20 years
5. during the weekends the teacher could take it home and so it would not be at the school all weekend.
The bad things about having a class pet
1. It could run away
2. it would smell
3. We wouldn't have enough room for it to run around in.
4. there wouldn't be any other monkeys to play with.
5. It could get rabies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don't think we should have a pet monkey!!!!
-Alana 3/4
this is not a monkey
Deleteit was a Emperor tamarin and it was eating some thing
ReplyDeletejoe 8/9
I think it wold not make a class pet because it could bite people who are not careful with it and where would it live? I do not think a monkey could live in such a small space without escaping into the 1919 auditorium sometimes. but it is very cute.
ReplyDeleteBen 5/7
No, this animal would not be an appropriate because (it isn't a common pet for a reason) and it would cause distractions, make noise, and bite. A good classroom pet would be a guinea pig because it is small, a common class room pet and it is easy to feed.
ReplyDeleteYoshi F. 3/4
I don't think that this pet will be appropriate because they live in evergreen forests and jungles
ReplyDeleteI think that a fish will be a good pet (coming from a fish keeper... Me) because you feed them 1-2 times a day, clean the tank 1 time a week, change filter 1 time a week. So not much of a challenge.
Ed Pfau - 5/7
I don't think that it would be a good idea to get this as a class pet. It would be a huge distraction and what would we do with it at night, it could destroy the place! I think that a better idea would be a sugar glider. They are so cute and and a lot easier to take care of. The only thing is that we would have to get two because if they aren't with their mate they get depressed but they are so cute and I really think that we need to get one!
ReplyDelete-Delaney 8/9
Based on the information in this article the Emperor tamarin would not be an appropriate class pet. I think this because I know that some animals are hard to take care of and an untame animal would be very hard to take care of, also many animals need pleanty of space. Inside a classroom there is not a very big amount of space. According to the San Francisco Zoo the Emperor Tamarin home ranges are about 25-100 acres!!!! We definatley dont have that much space!!! I think that an Emperor tamarin is not an appropriate pet, but something small that does not require much space, like a fish, hamster or lizard, (Like gaget) would be more appropriate.
ReplyDeleteMorgan 8/9
I think this would be a good class pet because it is a vegitarian and it is not a monkey so it wouldnt be all wild and crazy. I think this animale would be good for the class because if it gets a little happy at some points then you can put it in a cage. I REALY HOPE WE GET THE EMPEROR TAMARIN.
ReplyDeleteErin 3/4
I think it would be cool to have a class pet but it is indangerd in some places so it would probably be a lot of money but it does eat lettuce for food so that's easy. And it doesn't through poop. If it did that would be bad. Eric3/4
ReplyDeleteBased on the information from other blog posts I think an Emperor Tamarin would unfourtanetly would not be a good class pet. I would love for you to have one but this pet might bite, scratch, or get lonely. But I wish they did none of the sort so you could have one!
ReplyDeleteI think the idea of having an Emperor Tamarin is nice but not very realistic. Also on a-zanimals.com its says that the Emperor Tamarin eats small rodents. I don't know about anyone else but personally i would not like to be the person feeding him/her. I like the idea of a chinchilla though.
ReplyDeleteYou didn't sign who you were bur you have good opinions! Chinchillas are AWESOME!
DeleteNo,no,nonononoo,this emperor tamian might get rabies, be agressive and atack, I think we should get a rhino, or a manatee, ...... fine i'll be realistic a water turtle.but a rhino or manatee would bea to cool class pet
ReplyDeleteTyler Johnson 8/9
sorry about the bea I ment be
Deletetyler johnson 8/9
I think it would be great to have a class pet but i think that specific animal will take up to much space and attract more attention in class than needed,I think we should have something small like a guinea pig or hamster.
ReplyDeleteEthan 5/7
I no longer think this would be a go class pet but we could put a diaper on it. I dont think that something that cute would attack someone but it could. I still love this monkey though don't get me wrong.
ReplyDelete-Troy McConnaughey
Well it could be a good pet if we got a trained one. One that didn't get all jumpy and crazy if it is. But for the "poop problem" I suggest that one person for each period takes it out on a walk (with supervision) and each kid can take turns walking it. -Sean McCourt
ReplyDeleteI think it would be a great class pet because I know the people in our class will love it. I think it would be fun if every certain day of the week can do a creative activity or a game with it.
ReplyDelete-Colin 8/9
I think the monkey is a good pet, but I think a hedgehog would be good too because they are cute and cool.
ReplyDelete- Cameron Nill 8/9
i don't like the monkey, how about a hamster? A hamster is small and cute.
ReplyDeleteSam 8/9
I think this wouldn't be a great pet. It sounds illeagl...I however think a class pet is an awesome idea!! Maybe like a hamster or something! I wish a monkey was practical though...
ReplyDeleteTatum Peterson