Our classroom is quite happily the proud caregivers to a guinea pig. Each
week, the Pet Pals take care of the animals, and may take them home over the
weekend. Directions for their care while at home may be found here.
Care for Wally:
Thank you for taking care of me!
How to clean my cage:
1) Remove and dispose of old bedding
2) Rinse out the cage with mild dish soap and water. Rinse well!
3) Replace the bedding. If there is not enough bedding to cover the
bottom, please add more. This is available at almost any store, including
HEB, pet stores, Target, Wal-Mart, and even CVS.
Food:
1) Make sure I have fresh water every day.
2) I like to eat Guinea Pig food, fresh veggies, and Timothy hay.
Handling:
1) Treat me, as you would like to be treated!
2) Please keep me away from prowling cats, dogs, and little siblings!
3) I am quite shy, and I like calm and relaxed environments the best!
4) Remember to close my cage; I would hate to run away!
Care for the Oriental Fire-Bellied Toads:
Meet Flora (three dots on her back), Fauna, and Felix (bright green)
How do I get them home and bring them back to school?
• Place them in the temporary container with a wet paper towel. Hold
them and take them home immediately to set up their cage. They are fine (and
mostly self-sufficient) once they are safely in their home.
• Gather their gear in their bag (remember don’t put anything on top
of the cricket container as they must breath too). You will need to take the
crickets, water, and you may take their stuff (leaves and log house) out too,
if you like.
• Empty most of the water out of the tank. Before you fill it up
again, wipe it out (to clean it) with a paper towel. Do not use ANY soaps or
chemicals in their cage!
• With help, carry the cage carefully home! If you use all the
water, please replace before bringing them back!
How do I set up their cage?
• First, make sure you wiped it clean. Next, fill with (room
temperature) bottled water about, 3 liters.
• Place them gently in their home. You’re done!
How do I care for them?
• Every day, give them 1-2 crickets. They will not eat dead ones, or
ones that jump in the water. Place crickets on the top (terrestrial) shelf
of the cage. They will feed themselves!
• If you run out of crickets, they are available at any pet store.
If that is not a possibility, you can try earthworms, mealworms, or even wax
worms. They do not eat fruit, veggies, or regular crickets either!
• Do not allow your other pets (this includes little brothers and
sisters) to disturb them.
Precautions/Warnings:
• They really love to JUMP! Be careful when handling them.
• Speaking of handling them, they have bright bellies for a reason,
they are toxic. They are slightly toxic to humans so DO NOT kiss or touch
them (or anything else) when you are handling them or ANY of their stuff.
• ALWAYS wash your hands WELL before and after touching.
• DO NOT put any other animals in their cage as they could be injured
by their toxicity.
• If you have sensitive skin, parents, or are prone to allergic
reactions use rubber gloves to touch them.
