I had a guinea with my first graders, and he was well-loved. He would squeel very loudly when we came back from the lunch room because he knew the kids would save their carrots, apples, broccoli, cucumbers, etc. for him. He liked to eat almost anything. As a reward, the kids would sit in a circle and Ginger would run around to each one of them to be held and petted. They make wonderful pets, and much more fun than hamsters because they are not nocturnal and will stay awake during the day.