"Handling" wildlife

[IamJen]

I've been wondering about this for awhile, but keep forgetting to post a thread about it. With our little one (or any little one), there are lots of opportunities for us to study animals that are in our house/garden that require some capture or confinement of the animal involved.

This came to mind again today because we found a lovely green grasshopper inside today (way up high on the hatch to the loft!). I poked some holes in a (large) yogurt pot lid and we caught him and set him free outside. Freya and I spent a while checking him out though, before we let him go. I talked with her about being careful not to shake the container, etc. so we didn't hurt him, and she was fine. I didn't really have too many qualms about a grasshopper that we'd found inside, but it reminded me of other situations that I was less sure about such as catching tadpoles or fireflies (something about which F is enormously curious and looking forward too). Another family we know catches the snails in their garden for a "snail house".

I suppose part of my ambivalence is that I don't know how much harm I'm doing to the life cycle of these creatures. Can a grasshopper feel stress? It seems unlikely. I don't want to overthink the issue, but I'm also cognizant of how these early experiences shape children's attitude toward animals.

 

[Clueless Git]

Best thing, I guess, is to never to handle wildlife unless it's in dire trouble.

 

[KLS52]

My grandchildren are very interested in wildlife...bugs, worms, salamanders, frogs, etc. You bring up a good point. I'd like to think that if they are gentle enough that it would be ok to check them out. Lydia has a love/fascination for worms (ewwww) and often can be seen walking around with a handful. To be honest, I can't resist frogs/toads myself. I always pick them up, hold them up to my face and go, "OMG, look at you! You are so cute!", then do the fake air kiss, kiss, kiss...lol.

 

[KLS52]

 

[IamJen]

CG, I suppose so, but sometimes I wonder about the value of little ones experiencing wildlife more intimately, that perhaps they'll be more sensitive/caring toward creatures as a result of these experiences, more likely to see them as beings that things. (I'm sure some make that argument for zoos though, perhaps).

KLS, we have a few frogs (toads?) in our garden too and Freya would love to hold one I think. The girl loves her animals!

 

[ledboots]

I used to let my kids gently catch creatures and observe them for a short time (never overnight). My daughter made a book of drawings and descriptions of creatures that she still treasures as an adult.