Husbandry for Pet Rocks

[das_nooblet]

Yes, you read that correctly

I am a long-time Cub Scouts leader, and next week, I hope to bring my snakes in to show the kids. I intend to talk to them using their Pet Care badge (http://wiki.scouts.ca/en/Pet_Care_Badge for those interested) as my framework, so focusing more on the husbandry required for snakes than on snakes themselves (maybe save that for a year when we're focusing on their Black Star).

As some of the kids do/can not have pets, we decided we would have them make pet rocks (decorating them with googly eyes, pompoms, markers, etc.), and the kids who need to can look after them for 3 months need to fulfil that badge requirement (for the other requirements, we'll just have them look up/use a pet they would like to have if they could). To make sure they are actually taking care of their rock, we will send home a weekly care checklist for their parents to sign off on.

This is where you all come in. I need simple husbandry ideas, similar to what one would need for a cat/dog/rodent, as these are 8-10 year-old kids. This could be anything from taking their rock for "walks" in their pocket, or "feeding" it in a small pile of sand each day.

I look forward to hearing your ideas. Have fun!

[JLC]

Sounds like a very clever and thoughtful project!

Hmmmm.....husbandry thoughts for rocks. Feeding it sand is cute!

1-4 hours of sunlight daily (place on a window sill or outside in a protective box)

A "cave" to sleep in at night

A "bath" in a shallow puddle of water (careful of any painted or glued bits)

If water isn't a good idea because of craftiness....maybe a daily "brushing" with a tooth brush.

Talk nice to it.

Offer it pebbles (toys) to play with

[nightwolfsnow]

That's nice that you're thinking of the kids who can't have pets.

Hmm..


Make it a bed. Out of a washcloth or something like that.
Cages? Collars?
Take them out for socialization with other pet rocks?
Train them? No rocks on the furniture...or on the table....
Take them outside three times a day to "use the bathroom".
Exercise, maybe roll the rock or toss it up and catch it.

[SamO]

Really funny stuff there and very clever.

[Penultimate]

http://www.scribd.com/doc/252772385/...ry-Dahl#scribd

I'm not sure this will help, but this is the guide that came with the original pet rocks. Either way, it's hilarious. I especially love where it goes into wild rocks.

Maybe you could think about "body condition" and "health" of the rock. For body condition, you could have the kids draw or take pictures of the rock when they get it. If the rock gets chipped and isn't glued, it is in "poor condition". As for health, if moss or lichen is growing on the rock, or if it is dirty, it is "sick". Sick rocks must be cleaned and left in their cage for a few days to heal. You could also request weekly bedding changes.

[Crowfingers]

Since it looks like there are some species specific requirements, they could have the rock be a species of animal that there are "pet books" about.

some examples: a Rock-fish and have to do water changes (if possible with a crafted rock) feeding etc
a Rock-python- keep it warm, explain the care and 'special needs' of a rock that will get giant
a banded Rock-lizard - desert species
a Rock-Pigeon - feral in the US, but made domestic
a barred Rock-Chicken - egg production, companion animals

1. Keep and take care of a pet for three months or, if this is not possible, help take care of another persons pet for three months.
2. Explain and obey local regulations for keeping an animal as a pet.
3. Read a book about your pet.
4. Explain the care of the pet: shelter, feeding, common illnesses and inoculations, cleanliness, exercise, and training.
5. Describe how to be careful around a strange animal and what to do if you suspect it might have a dangerous disease such as rabies.
6. Explain how and why the pet became domesticated.

[das_nooblet]

So Koko and Manasa's first educational outing was an official success! Even my ADHD poster-child was well behaved and attentive

What makes me happiest though, is that of the four who were either afraid of or just didn't like snakes, two of them (one cub, one leader) took me up on the offer to touch Manasa when I went around with her. The cub actually backed away a couple times when I first brought her out and sat down to talk to the pack, so I'm really proud of him

The care sheets were also hit with the kids. A number of kids who either had pets or already had their badge wanted to take the sheets home anyways just for fun


Also, meet Henry, the sample rock.