Northern BTS as classroom pet

[bmary95]

Hey there! I'm a high school teacher who has been considering adding a reptile to my classroom for a while. From my research, a BTS sounds like a great choice! However, I've never owned one before despite being experienced with reptiles. I don't worry about being able to provide good setups (Of course it would essentially be my personal pet and come home with me over breaks) but instead question whether more experienced keepers might have some insight. Is there anything I need to consider that may not be obvious to someone who has never owned a northern? I know they known to be social, but do people find this to generally be the case?

I considered a bearded dragon, but I think the live feeders might be a hard sell for the school principal and even though I teach older teens, I still worry that a beardie just isn't sturdy enough to allow them to handle.

[kingofnobbys]

I think the noise in the classrooms will stress it. You wont have a classroom that you teach all your lessons in so you will have no control over how it's treated when you are not in the room - risky.

Great house pet though. My BTs love hanging with their pet humans and a fabulous with our grandson (we had the skinks before we got a grandson), they've never ever shown any aggression towards him.

BTS are NOT a beginners lizard by any stretch of the imagination. I suggest you do a lot of research into their husbandry and requirements BEFORE bringing one home. Make sure everything needed is in place and the temperatures and lighting are set up properly well before you buy the skink.

A baby Northern will require much more frequent feeding and have a different diet to an adult. Be aware a full grown northern can be 2ft long so a BIG tank is a must ( at least 4ft L x 2ft W and at least 18" tall ) .

[mb606587]

BTS have been used frequently in classrooms. I would consider gradually acclimating it to the stressors of a classroom environment however. In this situation, I think an adult skink would be better suited. If possible, I think I would try to introduce the skink to the classroom during a break in school, possibly a Christmas break or ideally the last couple weeks of summer vacation. New surroundings are stressful enough to most reptiles and that's without dozens of faces peeking in. Make sure you have multiple hides in the enclosure. Keep in mind most skinks are friendly but occassionally you do get that one so it's not a guarantee. Also behavior varies. Some are confident and inquisitive and will spend time out in plain view while others are naturally skittish and remain hidden most of the time, especially in the presence of people. If you find yourself with the latter, I'd reconsider its suitability as a classroom display pet.

[bmary95]

Hi guys! Just to clarify some things:

1. I do have my own classroom which is exclusively mine

2. My tentative plan would be to keep the skink at my house for at least 6 months so that I can properly vet it and get to know it’s personality!

[ascerny]

Mine has been in the classroom since I got him as a juvi. That being said is we had a very big talk with the kids about noise and behaviour around him especially as a baby - it actually helped noise level in the class.
I find most of the time he enjoys watching the students through the day - when hes done he has a nap under the substrate or in his cave but this usually happens after the kids have left for the day.