I was thinking about this as a classroom pet (it would be for my moms class(she knows about it btw) I think it is too small though. What do you guys think? Also which would be better, the newt or the tree frog? It doesn't specify what specific kind of newt/frog which is a problem. I was leaning more on the newt side. The students are ages 7-11, I would also be willing to keep it as a personal pet if it doesn't go well there.

https://www2.carolina.com/webapp/wcs/stores...;1009|1011

While having a small habitat with a tree frog or newt for the class isn't a bad idea, getting that set up is. You're right; that "habitat" is way too small for any amphibian. [It's actually bigger than it looks though based on the dimensions.] Plus, it's way overpriced. I suggest going to your local pet/aquarium store. You can buy a 10 gallon tank, lid, and a tree frog or newt for less than the cost of that container. I don't think a frog or newt would live long in that container. Also, where's the lid? If there's no lid, the amphibian will just run away!

Both tree frogs and newts are too delicate for young kids to handle and both are about equally as active. I think the frogs would be a little more exciting though. Tree frogs mostly live on land and like to climb. The habitat you link to seems to lack climbing and a lid. Tree frogs are great climbers. It does matter which species of frog or newt that it is in order to determine proper care.

I hope you have a local aquarium/pet store that you can check out to see what's available. I suggest you search for "tree frogs" or "newts" (depending on which you want) on the internet before going to the store so you know about what they need. Keep in mind that while some pet store employees are educated and knowledgeable, most, unfortunately, are not.

I just looked at Carolina's site for green anoles because I remembered years ago that I wanted some, and they had them. I now have two boys in a 20 gallon tank with some roaches and a hermit crab. I found Carolina's "setup" for them. It's beyond ghastly (1 gallon I think) for an animal that grows half a foot long (2/3 tail though) and moves super fast climbing all around. They also suggest it for a hermit crab but in fact lack all the things that they need as well (the food, freshwater, and saltwater dishes alone wouldn't fit in their cage let alone the sand and soil they need).

https://www2.carolina.com/webapp/wcs/stores...ry_rn=&crumbs=n

I could mail order the individual parts of their "kit" for less than $10 but they charge almost $30 for a "cage" that is meant to be a temporary traveling or cleaning container (they even say that on those containers). The 20 gallon tank I got was less than $30! I hope people aren't falling for their sub-sub-optimum cages. A decade ago, I did order some animals from them but all micro-animals for the pond to seed it.

Thanks, I was a little bit suspicious about it. The 10 gallon sounds great, except there barely any room in the "classroom." Orginally the classroom was a ladder closet, lol. (its really listed as that on the blue-print) The biggest tank would probally be around 5 gallons, more or less. Are there any animals that could live in that? I was thinking maybe betta and a dwarf frog.

Wow, I just looked at the hermit crab/green anole "habitat." Its horrible! That would teach a horrible lesson to kids, that animals can live in such a tiny tank, and no proper care and research is needed.

A betta should be fine in a 5 gallon tank. He should get along with an African dwarf frog too. The frogs like to be in groups and have a bit more room but you could "get away with it" meaning the animals would probably do fine.