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Adding a Gecko to my classroom

T

tarantulakeeper

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I'm considering adding a leopard gecko to my classroom. (5th grade) I have two corn snakes, a ball python and 4 tarantulas there now. I've found a male I like and was wondering if there is any real difference in males or females as far as husbandry/temperment/etc? I only want the one for now. (yeah, yeah, I know, they're like lays potato chips) Thanks, John
 
Hey John,
Their requirments are the same across the board..... I can not think of a better classroom pet than a leo..... They are easy to keep and tolarate human interaction better than most reptiles.....

Whatever you do, DO NOT use sand as a substrate..... If you want a natural looking substrate, use tile..... Make sure you provide a humid and dry hide and a snapple bottle cap topped of with calcium.... Good luck with your purchase.....
 
I've found for the most part, that males tend to be calmer than females. There are lots of exceptions, but this is what I've observed for the most part.
-Alice
 
aliceinwl said:
I've found for the most part, that males tend to be calmer than females. There are lots of exceptions, but this is what I've observed for the most part.
-Alice
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Ya, just like in every species... :bolt01:



:hehe: :look:
 
Leos are great for the classroom, just watch for "grabby" kids...leos could lose their tail. I keep this set up (pictured) in my biology class (high school) among several other set ups. Kids love to watch leos eat roaches!

MVC-845S.jpg
 
What school? I live in Maricopa and would be happy to donate a Leopard Gecko to your school for classroom usage and would work with you on how to care for it if you would like.
 
I'm still curious about how interesting nocturnal leos are in a diurnal classroom. I was thinking of suggesting leos for my kids' school but I wanted to hear more about this first.
 
That's a very good question, Aliza. I'd be interested in knowing myself. I'm also wondering if I'll have any trouble with the fire marshall by using an UTH. My custodian is a big supporter and will forewarn me if he has enough time that the FM is coming through. John
 
tarantulakeeper said:
I'm also wondering if I'll have any trouble with the fire marshall by using an UTH. My custodian is a big supporter and will forewarn me if he has enough time that the FM is coming through. John
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I honestly don't see why there would be any issue with a UTH since it is most likely UL listed... who knows. It would probably be even less of an issue if it were on a rheostat.
As for classroom usage... you can acclimate them to be active at the times you want them to be. Lighting and feeding schedule aid in this.
 
My mom put a leo in her classroom (6th grade science), and this was one of her concerns as well. She was told as long as she runs a thermostat and the tank is kept away from all the sinks in the room (they have lab tables with sinks lining 2 sides of the room), that it was acceptable. I'm not sure how picky they would be about it, but they've been fine with her having it.

As a note about them being nocturnal, she said that the leo is relatively active for most of the day, but not active enough to be distracting for the kids. The kids usually clean the cage first thing in the morning, as well feed her. She says it works pretty well because the leo is still awake enough to eat, but then kind of retreats to her hide to digest.

Since she's a science teacher, she also has the kids keep track of weights and how many food items were eaten, ect, and has the kids make graphs and tables for it. She also uses the gecko for excersizes, like "looking at it like a scientist would, describe the gecko" to try to get them in a science mindset. I guess it also helps them learn data-taking skills which helps them with the labs they do as well.

Anyway, that's my experience with leos in the classroom and personally, I think it's a great idea and benifits everyone involved.
 
Leopard Gecko in the classroom

I have had several leopard geckos in my 6th grade classroom. They make awesome classroom pets. I spoke with the custodians so they wouldn't turn off the AC/heater over the weekends so the temperature remained constant. I have never had parent/administrative complaints. I don't have one right now because the are all my breeders now, but soon as I can get a pet quality one I will have one again. Even our first grade buddies love the geckos.
Even though they are noctural, They alwasy seem to put in several appearances during he day! The kids even get into the feeders! They love roaches!!!!!

Hope this helps!

Suzanne Ewing
 
momtowildones said:
The kids even get into the feeders! They love roaches!!!!!
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AHAHAAA!!! they should really improve the food in the cafeteria for those poor hungry kids! just kidding.

I met a 6th grade science teacher who kept reptiles and ferrets in her classroom. I visited her classroon and was so impressed I donated a cornsnake. And I wished she'd been one of my teachers way back when...
 
Thanks for your replies about geckos in the classroom. That was encouraging. I may offer one to the science teacher in my kids' school if I am successful at breeding this year (I have 3 eggs in the incubator for the first time).
 
WTorres said:
The idea is good, but some leos can be really squiggly. African Fat Tails are much more tame, and do not mind being handled.

I'd select an African Fat Tail gecko for a class pet instead, if you anticipate children to handle it often...
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Wanda, as a breeder of both Leos and Fat-tails I can tell you that Fat-tail's are far behind Leo's in what is best for a classroom.

Fat-tails have a higher chance of worms than Leo's. They require higher humidity, stress easier, and are not as "forgiving" as leo's when it comes to care. They are more calm then Leo's are naturally but the leo's tame as well.

These all make up the reasons Reptiles Magazine has voted Leo's as the best reptile for kids consistantly.
 
WTorres said:
Hmmm... I have both, and find that the personalities of leos are a hit or miss. But the personality of an AFT is always tame and mild...

If I was the one to choose, I'd choose an AFT. But it is just my $0.02
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My point is that you are not 30 kids' hands. You are right that they are tame and mild for the most part but they are not appropriate for such handling. 2nd off, Tarantulakeepr is from Phoenix (as myself) and the difficulty level of keeping Aft's here goes up exponentially due to the lack of humidity in the air. :>poke2<:
 
I want to thank everyone for their comments. I really appreciate them all especially those that reference reptiles in classrooms. Gets me thinking about lesson plans, math, and all sorts of things. I have used tarantulas now for six years integrated into my teaching. We raise spiderlings and graph their growth. I have two cornsnakes (both nine years old) that are taken out once a week for 20 minutes, but are held only by two students. Students earn the right to hold them. We're very careful about washing hands before and after. My kids have always been very good about holding gently. They are much kinder to my animals than they are to each other. (ahh, ten year olds) We are in the middle of AIMS testing this week and next, so any new aquisition is on the back burner. And since we're nearing the end of the year, I may wait to add a gecko at the beginning of next year's class. or not. :) They are hard to resist. John
 
aliceinwl said:
I've found for the most part, that males tend to be calmer than females. There are lots of exceptions, but this is what I've observed for the most part.
-Alice
Click to expand...
You've obviously never had a male leo try to mate with your hand....
 
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