Creepy Crawly Animals
Have you checked out the scare power of tarantulas, rats, and lizards? Have you ever heard of an animal called an axolotl? At the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) Life Science Laboratory, I found a collection of animals just right for Halloween.
Chris Stockner, Life Science Educator at OMSI shared his secret for working with the creepy and the crawly. “They’re not frightening, if you know more about them.” In fact, Chris has been keeping bugs and reptiles since he was a kid, and never grew out of it.
On OMSI’s second floor lab, you can see representative arachnids, insects, amphibians, reptiles, and lone mammal up close. Chris or his counterparts are on duty to answer your questions. Stockner explained that several of the scary looking ones make good beginner exotic pet.
Group Species
Arachnid Mexican Red-kneed Tarantula
Insect Giant Madagascar Hissing Cockroach, Vietnamese Walking Stick, Australian Walking Stick
Crustacean African Rainbow Crab
Amphibian Pacific Tree Frog (native), Axolotl (salamander), Long-toed Salamander
Reptile Corn Snake, Bearded Dragon, Leopard Gecko, Madagascar Day Gecko, Veiled Chameleon
Mammal Rat (domestic), House Mouse
If you visit the lab, the educators there let you decide. They do explain that there are a lot of misconceptions about these animals. For example, people associate diseases with cockroaches, but cockroaches carry few diseases. Snakes can make people fearful. Lots of people think snakes are slimy, but they’re not. If a snake is available and you want to touch the snakes, educators will help you get over your fears.
We asked about tarantulas. Most tarantulas bite as part of hunting their prey. Biting is not usually a defense for them. Chris assures us that a tarantula bite is on par with being stung by a bee— not pleasant but not dangerous, unless you’re allergic.
Walking Sticks
Walking sticks are insects and are strict herbivores, eating only leaves. Some walking sticks look similar to a preying mantis as defensive camouflage.
Insects are becoming increasingly popular as pets. In general, insects are easy to keep and safe. Although some insects are venomous, few have venom that poses a danger, many insects can be cared for by children, and typically they are not strong enough to force open an mistakenly unlatched cage top.
Pet Profile: Vietnamese Walkingstick (Baculum extradentatum)
Size 4-5 inches
Life span Half a year
Activity Nocturnal
Origin Throughout Southeast Asia
Temperament Motionless during the day.
Partial list of requirements Vegetable matter
More information insecthobbyist.com
Domestic Rats
“Rats,” Chris explains, “express an affinity for people, similar to a cat or dog.” Domestic rats can be good pets for young kids. They’re interesting and they very rarely bite because of a good disposition. Secret information? The best hours to watch Frieda and Thistle, two of OMSI’s domestic rats on the Rat Cam is from 10:00-11:30 a.m. Kids can get a sense of what having a pet rat would be like.
Pet Profile: Rats (Rattus norvegicus)
Size Size and appearance, like dogs, depends on the breed of rat. Wavy hair versus long silky fur, ears large or small.
Life span 2-5 years, reproducing quickly, can be neutered
Activity Females more active than males, excellent athletes
Origin Domestic rats bred for different colors, ear types, fur length.
Temperament Social, males happier sitting on your lap than females
Partial list of requirements Balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, rat pellets, exercise, society of others, material to gnaw to erode teeth
Pet potential Excellent for novices
More information Watch rats at omsi.edu/visit/life/lab/ratcam
American Fancy Rat and Mouse Association http://www.afrma.org
Reptiles
People often don’t know what they’re getting into, Chris says, when they acquire a reptile as a pet. Definitely require more difficult care, they have more specific requirements than insects or rats. When reptiles grow, their requirements change, and that throws people for a loop, Chris says. At first, people enjoy the novelty, but lizards live 20-30 years and tortoises for 60-100 years. When you acquire a reptile, you may be acquiring a pet for your children and grandchildren.
Reptiles suitable as pets include corn snakes and Bearded Dragons.
Pet Profile: Inland Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps)
Size Up to 20 inches and 1 lb.
Life span 7-10 years
Activity Diurnal
Origin Australia
Temperament Docile, disinclined to bite, can be handled with support under belly. Inquisitive.
Partial list of requirements Relatively simple requirements including well-ventilated but temperature retentive 50 gallon tank providing wide temperature gradient both horizontally and vertically. Top is required, with full spectrum light. Diet includes invertebrates, small vertebrates, greens, fruits and flowers. Basking and hiding areas, branches and logs for climbing, plenty of water.
Pet potential Excellent beginner lizard.
More information Kingsnake.com
If you decide the animals at the lab are your passion, try reading Reptile Magazine, volunteering at OMSI’s Life Science Lab (omsi.edu/info/volunteer), and talking with people that specialize in “exotics” to learn about more these fascinating animals.
• See creepy crawlers at the Oregon Zoo’s Amazon Flooded Forest, African Rain Forest, and Insect Zoo.
• See Frieda and Thistle on their Cam at http://www.omsi.edu/visit/life/lab/ratcam
• To learn more, join a local group such as the Northwest Herptile Association (http://www.nwhka.org).
