Do you like animals? Do you like school? Do you like animals AT school? Here at Miami High we have animals in a variety of shapes and sizes located throughout the school.

Chemistry teacher Dr. Hueck says he has the most animals out of all the other teachers here at Miami High. He owns Bearded Dragons, Tokay Geckos, Crested Geckos, Leopard Geckos, Madagascar Day Geckos and Iguanas.

In four freshwater aquariums and two saltwater aquariums he has Sichlets, Beta Fish, Eels, Tropical Fish, Catfish, and large-sized fish.

He also has Turtles, Jackson Chameleons, Veil Chameleons, Ball Pythons, Scorpions, Urymastyz, a Monk Parakeet, and Poison Dart Frogs.

Hueck also says that he would be having a tortoise soon. But if he could pick any animal to have in his classroom, he would choose a finger monkey.

He and selected students take care of the animals, which take a lot of work and money because they have to feed the animals, keep the tanks heated and humid, and they have to clean up after the animals.

All of the work and effort, however, are worth it to Dr. Hueck who says, “The animals make the room look very unique.”   He also believes that they serve as positive reinforcement.

Some students agree. Senior Pablo Muños states, “I love to play with the snakes and let them curl up in my arm.”

Not everyone, however, is so positive . BETA president Carlos Moreno says, “I don’t like frogs because they look really ugly and feel all slimy.”

Marine science teacher Mr. Upperco also has a small collection of animals in his classroom: a ball python, a tarantula, a bearded dragon, and a saltwater aquarium. He’s had animals in his classroom for the past 20 years because he thinks the animals change the atmosphere and they make the classroom feel more like a science class. Mr. Upperco uses these animals as teaching tools to show how important they are to the environment.

Unfortunately, Mr. Upperco has a tough time with the animals. “I barely get any help taking care of them,” he says. The snakes usually get fed live mice every two to three weeks and the fish need food every day. With all the classes he teaches, Mr. Upperco has limited time. “If anyone wants to help me, just pass by my room 3213,” he says.

When there’s no school, the animals need a place to go. Mr. Upperco takes all of his animals home during the long breaks throughout the school year.

However, since Dr. Hueck has so many animals, he can’t take them with him. As a solution, he has some of his students take animals home.

Senior Angel Sousa states, “I got the opportunity to take care of the rabbit once during winter break. It was great because my mom would never let me have a rabbit, but since it was a short amount of time she said yes.”