Commonly referred to as the brid eating spider, they are in fact the Brush-Footed Trapdoor with about 18 discribed species. They are now quite popular as pets but they should not be handled as they can bite which may lead to temporary illness. If kept correctly they are a unique pet and certinaly a talking point form the usuall cat, dog or gold fish, and easier to look after.
This species of native Australian cockroach may belong the to the same family (Blattodea) as the introduced pest species but live in the bush not in rubbish tips or sewerage drains therefore they are not disease carring, they are infact very inportant for the budg and gardens. They aerate the soil, fertilize the surounding area and recycle leaf litter.
These native Australian insects are the largest cockroaches in Australia. The name cockroach bring to mind something horrible and disgusting, but these native cockroaches that I now fondly call BUSH BUGS, are indeed one of our greatest assets. How? I can hear you say, well quite simply, the bush bugs recycle leave litter (nutrients) so that our great aussie bush shrubs, gums trees and wild flower can receive the food they require.
To learn more about our native bush bugs open the fact sheet, if you wish and these giant borrowing bush bugs make great pets.
This fact sheet describes how to house, type of food and water requirements. Also detialed is the care for the eggs of stick insects which usually hatch with in six months.
Reds are to be introduced to Australia. They are a very pretty spider, but should not be handled or touched, as they are still DEADLY. To find out more about this spider that does eat a varity of insects, spiders and even small skinks open the fact sheet.
Please reminder that while the red can be very red indeed, it can change colour or fade, I tell children not to touch any spider especially red or orange ones.
Stick Insects are my passion. This is where it all started, well it was really when I was a kid, spending a lot of time in the bush around Nowra. Phasmids come under a number of names, the most common ones kept are the gaint green, childrens, the spiny and sometimes the titan stick insect.
They are the easiest pets you'll ever have, to find out more check out the fact sheet.
