In what used to be a storage closet with a window, a female bearded dragon named Paprika spends her days basking under a warm lamp and watching students pass through the science hallway from her terrarium.
Science teacher Joel Borowicz relocated Paprika from home to school after welcoming his newborn son.
“My wife read an article on Instagram saying that the reptile’s poop could be dangerous to have around the baby,” said Borowicz. “So I brought [Paprika] in.”
Borowicz received approval to bring Paprika to school from Dr. Mary Rockrohr, instructional supervisor of science, and associate principal Lauren Bonner. Rockrohr and Bonner confirmed Paprika would be properly cared for, including during extended breaks from school.
Borowicz looks after Paprika by providing her a nutrient-rich diet and regularly spot-cleaning, refreshing substrate and setting proper terrarium temperature. During extended breaks, Borowicz brings Paprika home.
When seeing Paprika in the hallway, Borowicz hopes students learn to be curious about the world, and gain a greater appreciation for life and what it means to take care of an animal, he said.
Students interested in helping take care of Paprika can email Borowicz for potential volunteer and enrichment opportunities.
“She loves people; she loves being held,” said Borowicz. “So the more chances for people to hold her, to care for her, the better.”
Paprika origin story:
Borowicz adopted Paprika after a breeder planned to euthanize her because of a small kink in her tail.
All other animals:
Borowicz cares for a blue-tongue skink lizard, a western hognose snake, two Australian White’s tree frogs, two dogs and several tanks of fish at home.
“I am an animal lover, [and] I was also deprived of pets as a child,” said Borowicz. “The only pet I was ever allowed to have as a child was a hermit crab, which is very disappointing. So then as soon as I became an adult, I just jumped at the opportunity to get a lot of pets.”
Diet diaries:
Borowicz feeds Paprika a mix of Dubia roaches, an assortment of nutrient-rich leafy greens and the occasional fruit or worms. Paprika particularly loves blueberries.