Updates and new bugs

After a trip on Thursday to GBU Enterprises, I came home with some new bugs, a creature I have never kept on the Desktop before, and a critter that was happily released right after I snapped it’s photo.

A turtle, obviously.  Something I have NEVER kept before.

A turtle, obviously. Something I have NEVER kept before.

3 Madagascar hissing beetles!  Yep, I am bringing them back to the zoo!!

3 Madagascar hissing beetles! Yep, I am bringing them back to the zoo!!

A Black Widow and her brood.  After photos, they were kindly released away from my home and back into the wild!

A Black Widow and her brood. After photos, they were kindly released away from my home and back into the wild!

She had a few hundred in there, I think.  Now, they will be 'enjoyed' by the folks of Stockton, CA.

She had a few hundred in there, I think. Now, they will be ‘enjoyed’ by the folks of Stockton, CA.

A Pink Toed spiderling 1" whom I am still trying to name.  Sid IV, if you will.

A Pink Toed spiderling 1″ whom I am still trying to name. Sid IV, if you will.

A cool shot of the spiderlings backside, and as one of the forum members pointed out, the spiderling resembles a Green Bottle Blue, though I doubt GBU made that big of a mistake.  I am quite certain this is an avic.

A cool shot of the spiderlings backside, and as one of the forum members pointed out, the spiderling resembles a Green Bottle Blue, though I doubt GBU made that big of a mistake. I am quite certain this is an avic.

 

I had a great time interviewing one of the co-owners of GBU. and may even be volunteering there if I can get out of some engagements that will take up most of my time over the next month or so.  In the meantime I will be enjoying these new additions, and hopefully will acquire more to begin doing private bug-shows and maybe getting back into selling again.  Who knows!

IT’S A BOY!!!

Mitzy, my fuzzy Lasiodora parahybana (also acquired from GBU back in February) has turned out to be a boy.  I’m toying with renaming him, but may keep it the same just to throw people off.  Even though he will not (most likely) have the opportunity to reproduce, I will still enjoy watching him grow, and will  be keeping him as a personal pet, along with Serj, my A. chalcodes female.  Serj, who can live for up to 25ish years, will hopefully become a companion for my son when he goes to college.  He’s 1 now, so just 17 years to go!

 

 

 

 

 

So you are a teen wanting a tarantula, but mom says “OH HELL NO!!”

Okay, maybe you are a spouse wanting a tarantula….or a roommate, and the counterpart of your household is vehemently opposed to your demands.  Here are a few tips to help you on your way that may or may not help you, but will at least get you hooked up with fellow spider enthusiasts (who according to your housemate are probably tattooed freaks and certified crazies.)  I assure you, and them, however, that there is nothing certifiable about your fascination with the hairy, 8-legged creatures of the night.  They are rather striking, and some are even handleable!  So, check out my latest article ‘How to convince your parents to let you have a tarantula’ and let these tips send you on your way to being a star keeper in no time!

Caution: there may be normal folks mentioned in this article!

C. fasciatum after a molt named Zero

C. fasciatum after a molt named Zero

A madagascar hissing roach

Roach

A nice little book on keeping tarantulas
Tbook

Me and a G. rosea who later turned out to be male (pictured as mature and pink towards the top of this blog.

Tia and Sarva

Me and another G. rosea whom I sent to be the first tarantula of a 13 year old girl.  An amazing event that has fueled my career as an invertebrate dealer.

Tia and Nata

Central Valley Herpetological Society

I have recently done an interview with the founder and president of the CVHS here in California.  Although the group does not necessarily pertain to tarantulas, I thought it would be neat to showcase the hobby that goes hand in hand with tarantula keeping- reptiles.  Even better is that this guy not only founded the CVHS, but also has started a BUG CLUB here in California!!!  I think I am in love (with critters!)

 

The article on CVHS can be viewed HERE

My lovely little Sarva on a book about spiders.

My lovely little Sarva on a book about spiders.

 

(Photos!!) My little slug hunt

Temporary pets: Slugs

ImageImage

Yeah, I had a little too much fun with this!

See the article at http://www.examiner.com/list/temporary-pets-slugs?cid=db_articles

Hissing Cockroaches and Spinach :\

The desktop is excited to announce that there have been 2 new additions made: A pair of Gromphadorhina portentosa.

gromphadorhina portentosa

Blurry, but shows the markings.

Better picture of the (Female?)

Basically, this is one of the largest of the Hissing Cockroaches, and is also the most comon of the keeping hobby.  When I looked at these guys, I was reminded of the scene of Men in Black (Will Smith movie) where the cockroach guy began to fall apart.

Also, these guys (and the Tiger Hissers I have) seem to hate spinach.  Stoopid PICKY roaches 😐