Insects are kept as pets in various parts of the world. Singing crickets and katydids are as commonplace in China and Japan as dogs and cats are in most areas of the world. This could have come from tradition or superstition that these bugs bring luck and abundance.
Why do people keep insects as pets?
Insects are not difficult or expensive to obtain. While it’s usually uncommon for pet stores to sell insects as pets (and not food), some of them that can be pets are easily acquired in parks or even gardens. They require very little space and need very little maintenance in terms of their environment. Most insects eat leaves and vegetables. It’s likely that the leaves they eat are also from the plant or tree nearest to where you found them.
Keeping insects as pets is a good conversation starter and can make things interesting. They give a lot of opportunities to learn new things and understand their lifecycle up close.
Which bugs can I take home with me?
Caterpillars are an interesting choice. While they don’t have a very long lifespan, the opportunity to watch a metamorphosis up close is its biggest advantage. A colony of ants is also interesting but you need to be very particular with their enclosure. Some are daring enough to keep arachnids like spiders and scorpions, others even cockroaches and millipedes.
Challenges of keeping insects as pets
Some insects don’t live long so it can be hard to make them life-long companions. Another is that it would be almost impossible to find a veterinarian for your crawlies. Since we also know very little of their feelings and thoughts, it’s easier for us to presume that nothing is wrong. The best we can do for them is to encourage them to eat properly, move freely, and behave as freely as possible.
It’s important to note that bugs breed fast, and abundantly. Don’t forget to research about the insects you’re taking in before you finalize any decision (keeping them or not). If you’re okay with your insects breeding, then you need to consider the space they’re in and make sure that they don’t get out and infiltrate other spaces or gardens.
