Animals for Children
I was raised with ducks, for some reason they were all named “Ducky Blair,” and I have strong memories of their care especially being nipped repeatedly during feeding time. Pressure is always on parents to get pets for their kids, to teach responsibility, animal life stages, and more. After a lifetime with animals, I’m a firm believer that first pets like mealy worm beetles (Tenebrio molitor) or Triops teach skills and concepts, and once children find the smallest animals fascinating, they have a world of wonder ahead.
Lesley