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Bugs as pets

You'd think something as simple as an earwig would be boring, but that's not always the case:


It's very rare to see an earwig fly and many people don't believe it's true if you tell them, but I've seen it with my own eyes.

Regarding bugs as pets, well personally I prefer animals that have at least enough intelligence to acknowledge and know who you are, rather than an insect or other "bugs" that exist virtually entirely by instinct alone, they can learn to a limited degree and are often underestimated (it's been proven that even a fruit fly can learn and form both short and long term memories, if you don't believe me please click here), but a "bug" will for instance never show you any love or gratitude back for taking care of it.

If you think you would like having "bugs" as pets however then go ahead and enjoy.


Edit: Did you know that earwigs actually not only protect their eggs, but are good parents too and look after their young until they are old enough to feed themselves, this is extremely unusual for a "bug".
 
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pjcnet said:
You'd think something as simple as an earwig would be boring, but that's not always the case:


It's very rare to see an earwig fly and many people don't believe it's true if you tell them, but I've seen it with my own eyes.

Regarding bugs as pets, well personally I prefer animals that have at least enough intelligence to acknowledge and know who you are, rather than an insect or other "bugs" that exist virtually entirely by instinct alone, they can learn to a limited degree and are often underestimated (it's been proven that even a fruit fly can learn and form both short and long term memories, if you don't believe me please click here), but a "bug" will for instance never show you any love or gratitude back for taking care of it.

If you thing you would like having "bugs" as pets however then go ahead and enjoy.
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Earwigs were one of my childhood phobias for a while due to a creepy incident. No not in the ear, but I hit a pipe and a whole slew of earwigs came out like a tap of running water. There must have been hundreds and it freaked my 6 yr old self out. :D I have gotten over the main phobia part but they still give me the willies some. Who needs pincers at both ends anyway! :D
 
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Its a pest unfortunately but a very cool looking bug I think. The emerald ash borer. It reminds me of the creatures in the horribly classic movie 'Monster from the Green Hell'.
 
I've seen a video of a guy who kept a hornet for a pet, although I wouldn't recommend that one (even if they have had their stinger removed as their bite is strong enough to make you bleed):

 
AGXStarseed said:
The sharp legs might be an issue, as they've got a pretty nasty kick from what I've read.

Here's something I've found:
IMGP5481.jpg

A mountain stone weta (Hemideina maori). This weta defends itself aggressively, kicking with its spiny legs and stridulating. If that fails, the weta throws itself on its back, with all its legs in the air, trying to grab and bite the offender.
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New Zealand has more than one weta ,One has been described as a Labrador very cute.
Sadly they don't perceive danger very well
 
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Tom said:
I am sort of a 'bug person'. I don't actually have any bug pets but have always been interested in them (especially ants whose social complexity fascinates me). And I have seen some of the larger species do seem to take to being a pet. My only experience is that if you put your arm out still when a butterfly or large moth is about they occasionally will land on you. They seem curious. Anyway recently I saw one bug that would make the coolest pet, if only they were still around. Meet the Arthropleura Centipede. Seven feet of fun and frolic! :D A great guard bug btw.
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No I held a tarantula once was very concerned that I would injure it my coordination isn't the best ,it's bad enough standing on the cats foot ,I do not cope well with death or injury .
 
Tom said:
especially ants whose social complexity fascinates me
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Ant colonies are my favorite aspect of the natural living world. I am obsessed with the topic and could go on for hours. I wanted a big ant farm with its own ecosystem. My mom doesn't like the idea of thousands of ants living in the house though.

If you are interested, check out ants Canada on YouTube, I would link it, but I am on data.
 
My family may move to Arizona where the bugs get crazy, I'm excited.
I have 7 snails, took them because they are invasive. I'm already sick of them haha. At least I don't have to do anything for them while they hibernate.
I've thought about having tarantulas, millipedes, scorpions, vinegaroon, but I get sick of things fast. And if I live in Arizona I'd find them all the time anyway! Wait I just realized-
I keep feeder bugs for my bearded dragon constantly. It's been darkling larvae (superworms) and now I want to try dubia roaches. Tip: Don't keep crickets as feeders. They stink, die off, are hard to maintain, aren't even optimal nutrition wise.
And I guess the roaches are tropical? So if they escape the heated tub they die. (hopefully)
 
8398 said:
My family may move to Arizona where the bugs get crazy, I'm excited.
I have 7 snails, took them because they are invasive. I'm already sick of them haha. At least I don't have to do anything for them while they hibernate.
I've thought about having tarantulas, millipedes, scorpions, vinegaroon, but I get sick of things fast. And if I live in Arizona I'd find them all the time anyway! Wait I just realized-
I keep feeder bugs for my bearded dragon constantly. It's been darkling larvae (superworms) and now I want to try dubia roaches. Tip: Don't keep crickets as feeders. They stink, die off, are hard to maintain, aren't even optimal nutrition wise.
And I guess the roaches are tropical? So if they escape the heated tub they die. (hopefully)
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If they escape the tub they move in, marry, have lots of baby showers, etc. They are very resiliant and survive in many environments. :/
 
That makes sense. Im reading now that the hardiness depends on what type of roach. I guess the ones that infest are German cockroaches. Compared to them dubias can't breed at room temperature, are slower, and bad climbers. My climate is cool so I think I'd be fine.

The coolest thing I have in my collection is one of those. I only pin bugs I find dead, haha. I was lucky to find one, found it tattered plus broke apart during move but it looks okay.
 

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I've had a blue butterfly land on my shoe, but I wish one would land on my nose or something :(
"The Paleozoic era occurred 542 to 250 million years ago. It is divided into six periods of time and the last two saw the development of the largest insects. These were known as the Carboniferous period (360 to 300 million years ago) and the Permian period (300 to 250 million years ago)."

When I was getting into the tarantula keeping idea, I came across this guy on youtube. The Dark Den is the channel name.
Very nice enclosures he has, versus a modified tub or tank. I do wonder if the size is okay for a tarantula to forever live in, but I know that females are sedentary, while males explore to find mates.
 
8398 said:
I've had a blue butterfly land on my shoe, but I wish one would land on my nose or something :(
"The Paleozoic era occurred 542 to 250 million years ago. It is divided into six periods of time and the last two saw the development of the largest insects. These were known as the Carboniferous period (360 to 300 million years ago) and the Permian period (300 to 250 million years ago)."

When I was getting into the tarantula keeping idea, I came across this guy on youtube. The Dark Den is the channel name.
Very nice enclosures he has, versus a modified tub or tank. I do wonder if the size is okay for a tarantula to forever live in, but I know that females are sedentary, while males explore to find mates.
Click to expand...

That was a blue Monarch. All butterflies are Monarchs. Just different colors. Its my simplied classification system. :D Try extending your arm out sideways and keep perfectly still. I have had quite a few large moths land on my hand that way.
 
Tom said:
I always liked the slow careful movement of mantises but never realized there were such beautiful ones. :O
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Yeah there are some really pretty ones out there, though most if not all are exotic and might have some barriers to owning one
 
This one is not a pet, but 2 years ago it did spend some time in my lemon tree. The stick insect is not easy to spot (evolution works), but it's vertical in the image. That is a very large lemon in the same plane on the left of the beast so you can get an idea how long it is. It's antennae actually extend beyond the pic at the top. You can make out a smaller version at the bottom left of the creature with it's body parallel. I'm no expert, but I think that might be a male and they might have been making more giant stick insects :)
IMG_0210S.jpg
 
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