Sea-Monkeys

First topic message reminder :

Has anybody ever had these? We used to, years ago!

For toddlers, I also think goldfish would be a good idea - a gradual introduction to other life forms that need a certain amount of care but are not too overwhelmingly demanding.

Thank you both for your views, I think that also.

Wendy wrote: We do have a Japanese interactive pony though and the children take turns in grooming and feeding it (it 'eats' carrots then neighs and shakes it's head when it has had too many.)

I've never heard of that before!

I have a video of mine lol I might try and upload it at home.

Go for it!

We had some once when Karla was little, they are cute wee things  I think she was a bit disappointed they were nothing at all like monkeys   but she did love watching them grow.

I was surprised when I was little! I thought they would be little brown monkeys, swimming around!

 

Eleanor wrote: I was surprised when I was little! I thought they would be little brown monkeys, swimming around!

That was the fault of the advertising, which I remember. They don't live in the sea and are not monkeys. But the drawing that accompanied the advert showed thingies (can't remember how they depicted the bodies) swimming around with big happy smiling human faces!

A disappointment to a lot of kids!

Still loved them though

I'm glad you enjoyed them Eleanor!

They were our first family pets, other than dogs!

We have a fantail goldfish in our nursery, and the kiddies love him! We were also given 2 rabbits by one of the parents, and I think they get used to seeing children around, and don't seem bothered by them at all.

I believe it is very good for children to be introduced to other living creatures at a young age, for all sorts of reasons. My only reservation (which you may have seen elsewhere) with rabbits is that not all of them care to be picked up and cuddled, and can use their hind feet as dangerous weapons!

I do think it's good for children to learn how to respect animals, though. I suppose the problem for schools will always be who's going to look after them in the holidays.

That is a problem certainly Caryll. Parents are subjected to pressure though, and I once caved in and took charge of the school hamster, who turned out to have a massive tumour on its neck. I was terrified that it would expire whilst in my care and it was with great relief that after the school holiday I could hand it back, still alive.

They usually arrange for it to go home with a teacher or reliable student during holidays.

I seem to remember my primary school having a rabbit & I was always pestering my parents to bring it home for the school holidays!

I never did, though.  

They're not very big here in S.A.
I never had them.