Keeping reptiles in schoolsHome

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Teaching notes

Introduction

The keeping of native animals in schools, in particular reptiles, is becoming increasingly popular. The Schools Animal Care and Ethics Committee has had numerous enquiries from schools wishing to keep reptiles. Many teachers are unsure of the requirements for keeping these animals in their classrooms. There are mandatory requirements relating to the keeping of any animals in schools and specific requirements for the keeping of native animals. This resource aims to increase awareness about these requirements and to give teachers specific advice and assistance about keeping four commonly available reptile species in their classrooms. These species are:

  • The Central Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps)

  • The Eastern Blue-tongued Skink (Tiliqua scinoides)

  • The Eastern Long-necked Turtle (Chelodina longicollis)

  • Children’s Pythons (Antaresia sp.)

Please note that these are not the only species that are considered suitable as pets and therefore able to be kept in captivity with relative ease. However, they are considered the most suitable species for schools to keep. Another common and popular species that might be considered is the Shingleback Lizard (Tiliqua rugosa). It is important to note that regardless of which species you choose to keep, a special scientific licence must be obtained.

Curriculum Links

There are many ways in which reptiles can be incorporated into the teaching of a range of syllabuses in NSW. Some of these include the use of reptiles:

  • as stimulus material for a range of writing tasks. These include creative writing tasks, journal and diary keeping, writing recounts, reports and procedures.

  • to allow students to have practical experience in measurement of length and weight.

  • as stimulus material for creative arts tasks in the K-6 syllabus – dance, photography and drawing to mention just three of these.

  • to illustrate concepts encountered in the stage 4 and 5 Science syllabus, particularly those relating to the classification of living things and to environmental interactions.

  • in the stage 6 Biology syllabus to support learning about evolution, reproduction and environmental interactions.

Students chat about reptiles

Why keep reptiles?

Text version (.docx 32kB)

Ethical and welfare considerations

Before a decision is taken to keep an animal of any kind in a school classroom a number of important questions need to be asked and answered by the classroom teacher.

What do I hope to achieve by keeping this animal in my classroom?

  • Students learn engagement with animals by having to participate in caring for them.

  • Students gain empathy and respect for animals when closely associated with them.

  • There are direct syllabus links that can be associated with keeping reptiles in the classroom.

Can I achieve my aims in a manner that does not involve keeping this animal?

  • It is not possible to achieve the aims stated above without students experiencing first hand contact with animals.

  • Students cannot observe and learn about the routine care of animals without having regular access to them.

  • It is possible to take students on an excursion to see and interact with reptiles or have a visitor bring them to the classroom.

What are my legal obligations with regard to keeping this animal?

  • The school must appoint an animal welfare liaison officer. In primary schools, this must be the Principal. They must also hold an Animal Research Authority issued by the NSW schools Animal Care and Ethics Committee.

  • Schools must also obtain a special scientific licence if I wish to keep any native animal.

Is my classroom physically suitable for housing this animal?

  • The chosen location must have a space that is of a suitable size to install a suitable enclosure for the animal.

  • The reptile enclosure should be located away from windows and doors, not in direct sunlight and near the front of the room to allow for maximum supervision of students and climate control.

  • The location chosen must be secure and able to be securely locked.

Do I have the skills required to care for the health and well-being of this animal?

  • Many teachers will have had prior experience in handling and keeping reptiles.

  • Teachers should thoroughly research the physical and behavioural characteristics of the animal(s) they propose to keep.

  • Teachers with limited experience should consider joining a local herpetological society (or a reptile keeping online forum) and attend meetings to seek assistance from experienced reptile keepers.

  • Inexperienced reptile keepers should choose species that are considered to be easier to keep when getting started.

How will I care for the animal on weekends and during school holidays?

  • Reptiles can be safely left unattended for two days over weekends.

  • Teachers could take the animal home to care for it during holiday times.

  • The school general assistant could be trained to care for the animal during holidays.

  • A suitably skilled and experienced student, who holds a licence to keep reptiles and whose parents have given written permission, may take the animal home in school holidays.

Where can I seek assistance if this animal becomes ill?

  • Many local veterinary surgeons have expertise in treating a range of reptile species.

  • Help can be sought from agencies like Taronga Zoo or a local herpetological society.

Have I addressed the three R’s (replace, reduce, refine) that are associated with keeping animals in schools?

The three R’s refer to replacing animals with other methods, reducing the number of animals and the refinement of techniques used so as to reduce the impact on animals held in schools.

  • Schools need to consider whether they can achieve their goals without physically keeping animals.

  • Schools should keep the minimum number of animals that are consistent with achieving the stated aims of keeping them.

  • Schools should be cognisant of current trends in housing and husbandry of animals in their care.

  • Particular attention should be paid to training students in the correct techniques for handling the animals that they will be exposed to.