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Arthropods are known for their external exoskeletons, segmented bodies, and multiple jointed limbs. This group includes various types such as arachnids, insects, and crustaceans. While some view these creatures as pests, others appreciate them as pets. Collecting and caring for these fascinating beings is becoming a growing hobby. There are various places where you can purchase them, along with several forums dedicated to this intriguing interest. Keep in mind that not all of these species are legal to own, and non-native species should never be released into the wild. Below, we list ten popular arthropod pets, in no particular order.
10. Walking Stick
The walking stick, also referred to as stick insect, stick bug, phasmid, ghost insect, or leaf insect, is a herbivorous species that feeds on leaves and other plant material. With over 2,500 different species, they are generally longer and thinner than a mantis, often mistaken for one. Despite being classified under the subclass pterygoda (meaning winged insect), walking sticks have no wings. Their life cycle consists of three stages: in autumn, females lay numerous eggs that disperse randomly, nymphs hatch in the spring, and by summer, they reach adulthood. Females can reproduce asexually, producing offspring that are genetic clones of the mother. Their survival strategy is to camouflage themselves, blending seamlessly with the twigs and branches they rest on, often mimicking the same color as their surroundings.
As pets, walking sticks are simple to care for. You only need to replicate their natural habitat, ensuring proper humidity, temperature, and providing the right food. Handling them is easy as they are calm creatures, though they are delicate and should be treated gently. The Indian walking stick is a common choice as a classroom pet. These insects can be left unattended for up to a week without any negative consequences.
9. Praying Mantis
The praying mantis gets its name from the unique posture of its forelegs, which are bent at an angle that resembles a prayer position. With these legs, the mantis lunges forward, grabs its prey, and holds it while it eats it alive. As predators, mantises feed on other insects and sometimes even engage in cannibalism. They lay their eggs in the fall, creating layered clusters covered in a foam that hardens and becomes waterproof, hanging from branches. In spring, the surviving nymphs, having avoided being eaten by their siblings or other insects, begin their ascent up the branch and undergo several stages of metamorphosis until they reach adulthood. During their final metamorphosis, they develop wings.
As pets, mantises are fascinating to observe. Feeding is usually straightforward, as they are quick and aggressive when snatching food. Watching them eat might require a strong stomach, as their prey is often still alive and struggling during the process. The pet trade offers a wide variety of mantis species, ranging in all sizes. The largest mantis is the Ischnomantis gigas, measuring an impressive 6 1/2 inches, while the smallest is the Bolbe pyhmaea, which is less than half an inch. It’s well-known that female mantises may sometimes eat the male during mating, though this doesn’t always occur, especially if the female is well-fed beforehand.
8. Cockroach
Roaches are typically viewed as pests, but only about 5 species out of 4,000 are household nuisances. These creatures are highly adaptable to various environments, although they thrive in warmer areas. Most roaches are omnivores, though some species feed on wood. They are remarkably fast, resilient, and can survive for extended periods without food, endure up to 45 minutes without air, and remain submerged in water for half an hour. It’s believed that roaches could survive a nuclear disaster, as they are more resistant to radiation than humans. As pests, they can spread bacteria through their feces and may trigger allergic reactions in humans.
As pets, however, roaches can be colorful, amusing, and easy to care for. The pet trade offers a variety of beautiful specimens, with the hissing cockroach being one of the most recognized. Blaberus Craniifer, known as the true death head roach, has a striking image of a death's head on its back. Feeding is straightforward: you can grind dry dog food and grains or buy roach jelly from online sources. Misting is beneficial, as some species enjoy licking the droplets from the aquarium walls. Some roaches are adept climbers, and placing an inch of vaseline around the aquarium’s top prevents escapes. They can be handled with ease, but it’s advised to wash your hands afterward. Breeding is simple—just house a male and female together, and you’ll soon have plenty of offspring. The Dubya roach is frequently used as food for other pet insects.
7. Beetles
With over 350,000 species of beetles found worldwide, these creatures inhabit a range of environments, from deserts to tropical regions and even aquatic habitats. While some beetles are considered pests, feeding on garden plants, others help by consuming pests like aphids and mites that damage plants. Certain beetles play important roles in decomposing carrion and dung, while others serve as prey for various insects, animals, and birds. They lay eggs that hatch into larvae, some of which may take years to mature into adults, though the adult beetles themselves typically have short lifespans.
In Japan, the rhinoceros beetle is a beloved pet. This beetle features a distinctive horn on its thorax, along with a forward-facing horn. It can grow to nearly 6 inches in length and weigh around 3 ounces. These beetles are often available for purchase in stores and even vending machines. They are sometimes used in gambling games, with male beetles engaging in combat, as they are naturally territorial. The Goliath beetle is among the largest and heaviest, measuring 2 to 3 inches long and weighing between 3 and 4 ounces. A member of the scarab family, it is known for its striking colors and patterns. Beetles are a bit more challenging to find in the pet market, and you might start with a larvae that stays buried for most of the time. However, with patience, you’ll be rewarded with an intriguing pet.
6. Ants
Ants are ubiquitous creatures, found almost everywhere. They can be predators, scavengers, or herbivores, depending on the species. Highly social, ants live in organized colonies with a strict hierarchy. At the top of the hierarchy is the queen, the sole fertile female, while the infertile females take on the roles of workers and soldiers. Ants communicate with each other using pheromones, sounds, and touch, and they protect their colonies by biting or stinging. Related to wasps and bees, some species, like harvester ants, are even sold as food for pet horned lizards.
Harvester ants are also popular for ant farms, which provide an entertaining and educational hobby for both children and adults. These ants are equipped with large jaws and can bite if threatened. Ant farms are designed with a flat structure, allowing the ants' activities—such as tunnel construction and food collection—to be observed. They thrive on a healthy diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, birdseed, or boiled egg whites. Specialized ant food can also be purchased online. To provide water, an eyedropper can be used to add small amounts to the farm, ensuring none of the ants drown. Watching ants socialize and work together is captivating, and it’s even more fascinating to observe them breeding and raising offspring, although queens are rarely available as pets. If you're interested in this, you might need to catch one yourself.
5. Centipede
Centipedes are known for their speed and aggression. They are found in tropical regions and deserts, where they hunt at night. Their diet consists of roaches, crickets, and even small mammals like mice and bats. When disturbed, centipedes will bite or pinch and are venomous. They have elongated, flattened bodies with a single pair of legs per body segment, and can grow up to 12 inches long. With over 8,000 species, centipedes are diverse and widespread.
These pets are for experienced keepers who need to take extra care to ensure they don’t escape. Known for their cannibalistic nature, they must be housed separately. Some can survive for more than a decade in the wild and even longer in captivity. While they can endure desert conditions, they thrive best in dark, moist environments with plenty of places to hide. They undergo 7 to 10 molts before reaching maturity. Despite their name, centipedes do not actually have 100 legs; they always have an odd number of legs. Typically, females are larger than males and may have different colors. Although some people may choose to hold their pet centipede, it is generally not recommended.
4. Millipedes
Millipedes differ from centipedes in that they are slow-moving, round creatures that feed on decaying plant matter. They have two pairs of legs per segment, unlike centipedes which have only one pair. Depending on the species, they can have between 36 and 400 legs. With over 10,000 species worldwide, they are quite diverse. Millipedes typically burrow into the soil, and some may produce a toxic secretion that can cause mild reactions in mammals that lick them. To protect themselves, they curl into a ball and do not bite.
Millipedes are easy to care for and can live in groups. The giant African millipede, reaching up to 10 inches in length, is a popular pet. These creatures are long-lived, non-aggressive, and fun to handle. Pet millipedes can eat fruit or vegetables and require extra calcium to help them shed. They prefer damp environments and live under plant matter, needing a deep substrate for burrowing. As nocturnal creatures, they may not be as visible during the day, so you might want to observe them at night. If you don't want a lot of offspring, be cautious about housing males and females together, as they reproduce easily. Though not aggressive, some individuals may have allergic reactions to their secretions, so caution is advised.
3. Tarantula
This particular arthropod is one of my favorites. With so many different sizes, color patterns, and temperaments to choose from, it’s easy to find a tarantula that appeals to you. Some have tiger-like stripes, while others feature markings resembling skeletons. Most tarantulas are covered in hairs. They can be found across America, Africa, Asia, and Australia. African and Asian tarantulas are referred to as 'old world' species, and they tend to be more aggressive with stronger venom. On the other hand, new world tarantulas from America are less aggressive and typically respond to threats by flicking irritating hairs. Their diet includes a variety of live prey, from crickets to mice. Some tarantulas are arboreal, living in trees, while others are terrestrial, residing in burrows or on the ground.
Tarantulas are easy to find in the pet trade and can range in size from as small as a fingernail to as large as a dinner plate. In a suitable enclosure, burrowing species will dig and line their holes with webbing. My tarantulas do this right against the glass, so I can always catch a glimpse of them even when they are hiding. Feeding is always a fun experience – simply drop a cricket or roach in and watch the tarantula spring into action to catch it. The larger tarantulas can even be fed mice or rats, though this is not always advisable as the rodent could harm the tarantula. For large tarantulas, big dubia roaches are a perfect food choice. Some tarantulas may go without eating for extended periods, either because they’re not hungry or are preparing to molt. This is fascinating to watch because after molting, a tarantula sheds its old exoskeleton, which can appear as if there’s another tarantula in the enclosure. After a molt, don’t feed the tarantula for a few days, as it is vulnerable and the fangs need time to harden.
2. Scorpions
Scorpions are predatory creatures that feed on other insects. They use their stinger to paralyze their prey before consuming it. With over 2,000 species, around 30 of them possess venom capable of killing a human. Scorpions range in size from about 0.3 inches to 9 inches long. They have 8 legs, two claws that vary in size depending on the species, and a segmented tail topped with a stinger.
The emperor scorpion is one of the most commonly kept species as a pet. These scorpions are black with large claws and can grow up to 6 inches in length. To care for them, provide a space for burrowing or hiding, feed them crickets or roaches, maintain proper heat and humidity levels, and include a shallow water dish. They can live for 6 to 8 years and should not be handled, although their venom is not as dangerous as that of other species. Multiple emperor scorpions can be kept together as long as there are sufficient hiding spots and room for movement. Being nocturnal, they are most active and interesting to observe at night.
1. Hermit Crabs
Hermit crabs inhabit shells, and as they grow, they move into larger, more suitable shells. The largest species can live between 30 and 70 years, or even longer. Known for their climbing and digging abilities, they are fascinating to observe. Some species live underwater like marine crabs, while others are land-dwelling. While most hermit crabs are aquatic and reside in saltwater, even land-dwelling species must return to the sea to breed. These crabs come in various colors, such as red, brown, and purple, with unique patterns like dots and stripes. They are omnivorous scavengers, feeding on both plant matter and decaying organisms.
Hermit crabs are popular pets, but many owners fail to understand the level of care they require, leading to shorter lifespans for these pets. To thrive, hermit crabs need ample space, the right substrate, fresh water, saltwater, food, extra shells, and climbing opportunities. For more detailed care instructions, please refer to the website mentioned above. If you want your hermit crab to live a long and healthy life, it is essential to provide for all their specific needs.
