Forgotten Exotic Pets: Tarantulas, Hissing Cockroaches and Stick Insects

Exotic pets come in all shapes and sizes, but if you are short on space, spiders and insects may be right up your street. They require only small living quarters, and if you lead a busy life style you will find that they need very little attention.

Amazingly insects and spiders can be absolutely fascinating to watch but before rushing out to find the right spider for you, examine your reasons for wanting one. They are still pets and as with any pet will need time and care.

Don't buy an insect or spider as an unusual pet just to 'wow' your friends. You will need to be committed to the new addition to your household.

Which insect or spider?

If this is your first spider or insect then it is a good idea to choose one that is neither dangerous or delicate. A good choice would be a hissing cockroach as they are docile, don't sting, are not venomous and are easy to look after.

There are also certain types of tarantula that would be good for a starter such as the Costa Rican Zebra, the Mexican Redleg or the Chilean Rose. The afore mentioned tarantulas are docile compared to others of the species and are not particularly venomous.

Although, easy to keep and care for leaf and stick insects are somewhat more delicate and are not particularly child friendly because of this. They really are a 'look and don't touch' pet. Even the most gentle of handling can cause them damage.

If you have children and want them to have a hands on experience the hissing cockroach would make the ideal pet. They are docile, sturdy and big enough to handle.

Need to know

Before considering an insect or spider as a pet there are certain things you should check out first:

Firstly before doing anything, be sure to check with the authorities in your area that it is legal to keep this type of pet in the home. There could be regulations concern this issue.

Once you know of the legalities, research into how to care for your chosen pet. Things to consider are diet, housing and environment. These types of exotic pets may be easy and inexpensive to acquire, but it can be tricky making sure that they have the right environment.