(February 2014) We recently discovered that some Tucsonans enjoy owning bugs as pets. There seems to be several reasons. First, unlike common pets, such as dogs & cats, bugs are low maintenance. Second, they don’t take up much space. Third, many people find them fascinating to watch. And fourth, they don’t require any emotional attachment. Bugs can’t care about us so why invest emotional energy on them. When they die, it’s no big deal.
With this limited understanding, we paid a visit to the Exotic Reptile Shop on First Avenue just south of Ft. Lowell. There we met Ken “The Bug Guy” MacNeil who raises & sells exotic pets, including an amazing array of bugs. If you’re looking for pet bugs, Ken’s your guy.
Flat Rock Scorpions are from Tanzania and tend to be docile. They should be kept in 75 to 85 degrees with some kind of hide, a spritz cage with water and couple crickets a week.
The Brazilian Pink Birdeater Tarantula is one of the largest tarantulas in he world. This species, although large, is not particularly aggressive. They need a space at least 4 times their size to live in, a water bowl, & couple crickets a week. They should have temperatures between 65 to 85 degrees.
This 8-inch long Vietnamese Giant Centipede had just been captured having escaped from his enclosure. It took Ken and two assistants to re-capture it. “Fast” would be an understatement. This critter is the Usain Bolt of the creepy crawly world. They also have a nasty bite that can cause nausea, cramping, or worse. Ken says they show signs of intelligence. They require 75 to 80 temperatures, a little water, & a few crickets weekly.
Ken also has a fine selection of rare amphibians, reptiles, marsupials, and mammals, such as this Panther Chameleon. They are found in the tropical forests of Madagascar. Like all chameleons, they change color depending on environment & mood. Males can reach 20” although 17” is more typical. Females are about half that size.
They are amazing animals. Their eyes operate like gun turrets. Each eye can rotate & focus independently. This gives chameleons 360-degree stereoscopic vision and exceptional depth perception. Unlike humans, chameleons can see ultraviolet light.
In addition to amazing eyes, chameleons have amazing tongues. They use their tongue to capture prey by flicking it an insect with accuracy and prodigious speed. The end of their tongue is covered in a thick mucus that sticks to their insect prey. When the tongue recoils, their powerful jaws crush the insect and the chameleon enjoys another happy meal.
As pets, chameleons need a large, mesh cage with fresh, flowing air, ultra-violet light, 80-degrees with 50-60% humidity, water from a dripper, plus crickets and other delicacies. Price: $40 to $1,000 depending.
Ken says these Golden lizards, sometimes called Bearded Dragons, are the puppy dogs of the lizard world. They usually are very docile and have a fun attitude. They require a warm environment as they are from Australian deserts. They eat fruits and veggies.
The Brazilian Short Tail Opossum is a nocturnal marsupial. They do hang from their tail at times, but usually only to get from one place to the next. They thrive on ferret food, quail, baby mice, and a mixture of other things. They are happiest when they have things to climb on.
Ball pythons are one of the most popular snakes in the reptile trade. They tend to be very docile. When threatened, they curl up into a ball; hence their name. They require one rodent a week, a water dish they can fit into, a hide, & an 88 degrees environment.
This Swamp Wallaby is the only animal in its genus. Each one has its own attitude. If socialized they tend to be very friendly. Swamp wallabies require a great amount of space and a specialized diet. You can buy food from private companies and can give them hay and treats, such as fruits, on occasion.
Ken has thousands of specimens in his store, including a fine selection of roaches … even an infamous hissing Madagascar cockroach.
An Exotic Reptile Shop
3115 N. 1st Avenue
Tucson, AZ 85719
520.203.8300
Info@KenTheBugGuy.com
