| Pet insects and spiders might not be to everyone's | | | | Some spiders and insects require special feeding. |
| taste when it comes to choosing pets but they can | | | | Hissing cockroaches are easy to feed, preferring fruit |
| bring a lot of fun and enjoyment. They are not cute | | | | and vegetables, but tarantulas need special prey. Leaf |
| and cuddly like a dog or cat, but they can be | | | | and stick insects like fresh vegetation. An ant farm |
| educational to a child. | | | | might be a good idea if you want something simple to |
| And most insects and spiders are very clean and quiet | | | | care for. The ant farm only needs feeding once a |
| and do not require a lot of social interaction. They do, | | | | week with a little piece of sugary bread and it can be |
| though, require the same commitment to feeding, care | | | | educational for children. |
| and maintenance as a more traditional pet. For | | | | A tarantula makes an interesting pet. Remember they |
| example, some tarantulas live for up to thirty years, so | | | | can die from a short fall because their abdomen is |
| be aware of that before choosing one. | | | | delicate. They are venomous, some types more than |
| For a beginner, hissing cockroaches or a tarantula | | | | others, but being stung is comparable to a bee sting |
| might be a good choice. Go for something that is not | | | | (unless you are allergic). |
| venomous or delicate. Leaf insects and stick insects | | | | Scorpions are interesting, too, and there are several |
| are popular but they are quite fragile. | | | | varieties. Scorpions do not like being handled and they |
| Before buying anything, you need to find out the local | | | | might sting. When handled, they become stressed and |
| laws about keeping your exotic pet. You also need to | | | | this is not good for their health. Scorpions live up to |
| find out what its diet, housing and special requirements | | | | eight years. If you want a pet you can handle, a |
| are. You need to know how to handle your pet. Some | | | | scorpion probably is not the right choice. |
| insects are quite hardy but others are delicate and a | | | | If you really want a spider or insect as a pet, there is |
| young child could damage them without realizing. Find | | | | plenty of choice. Make sure, before buying one, that |
| out if your choice of pet is venomous, how to handle it | | | | you know everything about their requirements and do |
| to avoid being bitten or stung and what to do if that | | | | as much research as possible to make sure the insect |
| does happen. | | | | or spider is the right choice for you. |