NEXT Classroom Pets

Thorn the bearded dragon sits on the shoulder of Alex Parker in his classroom Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017 at Chaffee Elementary. (Andrew J. Whitaker ~ Southeast Missourian)

Chelsea Nesbit holds Rowdy the bearded dragon in her classroom Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017 at Chaffee Elementary. (Andrew J. Whitaker ~ Southeast Missourian)

Alex Parker holds Thorn the bearded dragon Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017 at Chaffee Elementary. (Andrew J. Whitaker ~ Southeast Missourian)

Nono Alfadhel, 7, left, and Tamiya Warren, 7, right, pet Rhoda the dog in Stacy Stapleton's classroom Friday, Sept. 15, 2017 at Jefferson Elementary in Cape Girardeau. Every Friday she brings her dogs, Millie and Rhoda, to school for her kids. (Andrew J. Whitaker ~ Southeast Missourian)

Nono Alfadhel, 7, kisses Rhoda the dog in Stacy Stapleton's classroom Friday, Sept. 15, 2017 at Jefferson Elementary in Cape Girardeau. (Andrew J. Whitaker ~ Southeast Missourian)

Eliza Criblez, 9, right, from Rhonda Young's 4th grade class holds onto Monty the 18-year-old python Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017 at Alma Schrader in Cape Girardeau. Besides Monty the python Rhonda has Charlotte the tarantula, Desperado the Madagascar hissing cockroach and Skittles the gecko. (Andrew J. Whitaker ~ Southeast Missourian)

Millie the dog stands up on her back legs in Stacy Stapleton's classroom Friday, Sept. 15, 2017 at Jefferson Elementary in Cape Girardeau. (Andrew J. Whitaker ~ Southeast Missourian)

Students from Rhonda Young's 4th grade class pet Monty the 18-year-old python Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017 at Alma Schrader in Cape Girardeau. Besides Monty the python Rhonda has Charlotte the tarantula, Desperado the Madagascar hissing cockroach and Skittles the gecko. (Andrew J. Whitaker ~ Southeast Missourian)

Bruce Miller wears Desperado the Madagascar hissing cockroach as a button Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017 at Alma Schrader in Cape Girardeau. (Andrew J. Whitaker ~ Southeast Missourian)

Students from Rhonda Young's 4th grade class pet Monty the 18-year-old python, Desperato the Madagascar hissing cockroach and Skittles the gecko Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017 at Alma Schrader in Cape Girardeau. (Andrew J. Whitaker ~ Southeast Missourian)

Students from Rhonda Young's 4th grade class pet Skittles the gecko Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017 at Alma Schrader in Cape Girardeau. (Andrew J. Whitaker ~ Southeast Missourian)

Monty the 18-year-old python in Rhonda Young's class Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017 at Alma Schrader in Cape Girardeau. (Andrew J. Whitaker ~ Southeast Missourian)