MIAMI, Aug. 21 (UPI) -- U.S. classroom pets are popular with students and teach about responsibility and wildlife, but petMD.com advises to dismiss some animals from school.
For example, PetMD.com says one animal to avoid is snakes. They don't shed hair, aren't noisy and don't emit a strong odor, but their unpredictable temperament -- especially when molting -- can result in aggressive behavior and being reptiles, snakes have been known to transmit salmonella, the Web site says.
Frogs and turtles also harbor salmonella making them undesirable as animals having contact with children.
Ferrets have a strong odor even after their musk glands have been removed. Generally, ferrets have excitable and aggressive dispositions and even if well-trained, they have a tendency to nip, PetMD.com says.
Many think birds are ideal classroom pets, but they shed dander, are messy and noisy. If the classroom is also noisy a bird will pluck out its feathers.
Hamsters, hedgehogs are nocturnal so they are accustomed to sleeping during the day so curious children may awaken the animals and may get bitten for the intrusion.
Rabbits may seem ideal class pets, but they don't like noisy classrooms or being handled and will bite or scratch with their hind legs.
However, iguanas are are considered the worst classroom pet. They don't like to be handled, can grow to more than 6 feet and have a tail that can "lash," PetMD.com says.
However, The Humane Society suggests rats, mice, gerbils and guinea pigs present less disease risk and are sociable, but goldfish seems to the ideal choice.
