Writing prompt: unusual pets

Alligator and presenter, Australian Reptile Park

I guess that most of us can remember having to write an essay, story or composition about pets while at school. This always caused me a few problems. I lived on a farm and although we had plenty of animals around us all the time, all of them were “working” animals; they all had a purpose, from the horses and cows to the pigs, dogs and ducks. Perhaps only the cats could be called pets, though they, too, had a role in minimising the number of mice around the house and sheds.

Sometimes I envied children who had unusual pets. Few pets, however, compare with the animal in today’s photos. A genuine, real, living alligator is not your average household pet. This animal is part of the show about reptiles at the Australian Reptile Park in Gosford, north of Sydney. This animal knows how to behave when in the presence of its keeper because it has lived with the keeper for many years and is well trained.

Trained or not – that alligator is not welcome in MY home.

Writing prompts:

• Write about your pets – describing them, listing their likes and dislikes, their nature and their characteristics.
• Write a poem about the most unusual pet you can imagine.
• Write an article about keeping pet birds, reptiles, insects, or amphibians. some research may be needed.
• Write a story about the day your pet boa constrictor took over your dinner party.
• Write a poem about the time you took your pet lamb/puppy/fish/lizard to school.

Alligator and presenter, Australian Reptile Park

Alligator at Australian Reptile Park