Damn… it’s been like… 4 or 5 years since I last made a thread here…
If anyone wonders, I’m still well alive…
Some things have changed, some have… not.
I still enjoy video game music for one.
I still work at my local liquor store and paying my student loan.
What has changed ?
Aside the usual game music love… I’ve recently entered a new hobby.
Arachno-culture.
Basically the keeping and care of arachnids.
For 8 months, I’ve successfully cared for a Chilean rose tarantula (Grammostola rosea). It’s well alive even now and happy now.
Pretty easy to care for… 3~4 inches of substrate (prefferably coco-fiber), a hide (say a half-log it can hide under) and a water dish. Throw in a cricket or two weekly, remove remains after 24 to 48 hours… easy.
As of last week… I’ve acquired my first scorpion… the ever popular Emperor scorpion (Pandinus imperator).
Not quite as basic as G. rosea. For one, it is a rain forest species. Therefore the tank must be kept both warm and humid. So what do I do ? I dump a full glass of tap water at least once a week. I give it a cricket or two a week.
Both are VERY fascinating creatures.
Now, I realise arachno-culture isin’t for everyone. But these are very undemanding pets.
So many advantages
No need to walk it
They don’t require much space (both are content in a 5 gallon tank)
They don’t stink
They don’t whine
Disadvantages if any…
You should NOT handle them… it causes stress and can shorten their lifespan.
They won’t do tricks for you.
Some are more dangerous. African/Asian tarantulas pack more potent venom then their North American/South American cousins. Scorpions ranging from North Africa and the Middle East tend to have more potent venom (Androctonus/Parabuthus/Leiurus species).
Aside from that, they make great pets if you have realistic expectations out of them.
Most can live comfortably in a 5 gallon tank and at room temperature.
Yeah…
If you require further help… I’ll be more than happy to share what knowledge I’ve acquired so far.