This week I brought Skye from Bugshop on to my Radio 2UE spot. Skye is an entomologist. Her business to to education and provide a supply of insects – or bugs, if you prefer – as pets. She brought several creatures with her… 3 giant burrowing cockroaches, a giant panda snail and a stick insect.
Wonderful, alternative pets! Obviously not the pet for everyone, given the reaction of people around the insects. Yet, visiting schools, the reaction is one of interest. Kids have not yet developed entomophobia, a fear of insects. When do we develop this dislike? When we get stung by a bee? When we have a plague of cockroaches in our apartment?
Could you keep an insect as a pet? Tell us why you would never keep a bug as a pet. Or alternatively, if you have or can picture yourself doing so, what appeals to you? (Comments below)
Panda snail
You can listen to the radio program here. More about keeping insects as pets here. More about animals other than cats and dogs here.
I studied entomology at Uni - I grew more fond of insects after than. I also studied Ants for 6months with a Post Doctorate Fellow at USYD as her assistant. I absolutely loved it. On the other hand, I am allergic to Dust Mites, or rather their waste products and find cockroaches (even after disecting one in UniLab Class) revolting and my skin crawls after waking up to one falling on me while sleeping. I am in two minds of insects. They're amazing creatures and will always fascinate me, but having them in my home makes me a little uncomfortable.