Say goodbye to cats and dogs; insects are the new pets! They make awesome low-maintenance pets and are ideal for beginners.
In this blog post, we are going to look at five cool pet insects that are great for newcomers to the insect ownership world. Each of them has some cool information and care requirements. Keep reading to learn more!
1. Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches
The Madagascar hissing cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa) is one of the most popular of all pet insects. Native to Madagascar, they are quite large, with the adults growing up to four inches long! Isn’t that crazy?
They also make a very distinctive hissing sound, hence their name. They make this noise by forcing air through the teeny tiny openings in their abdomen. They’re not super high maintenance and can easily thrive in a simple terrarium or aquarium with a secure lid. Usually, a 10-gallon tank is enough for a small colony.
At the bottom of the enclosure, pop a mix of soil and sand or some commercial reptile bedding. This creates a comfortable and semi-natural environment for the roaches. Make sure the substrate is about two inches deep to allow them to burrow as they would naturally. They thrive in temperatures between 75-85°F (24-29°C), with misting once or twice a week for humidity.
As omnivorous animals, hissing cockroaches are natural scavengers and enjoy a huge variety of food. They aren’t super fussy, so a mix of fruits, vegetables, and commercial insect food is enough.
2. Praying Mantis
The praying mantis is a predatory insect. Its name reflects its praying posture. These bugs come in a huge variety of species with the Chinese mantis (Tenodera sinensis) and the Carolina mantis (Stagmomantis carolina) being the most common in captivity.
A tall, well-ventilated terrarium or simple mesh enclosure is all they need. Paper towels or a thin layer of substrate at the bottom will help keep these insects’ enclosures clean. They prefer temperatures between 70-80°F (21-27°C) and like a light mist in their enclosure.
They are carnivores and will need live insects like small crickets, fruit flies, and mealworms in their diet. Praying mantis don’t drink water directly––they get it from their prey. These cool insects also have very simple needs in general and contrary to their quasi-intimidating appearance, praying mantis aren’t dangerous!
3. Ants
Okay, stay with us on this one. We know it might sound weird, but we promise that these little insects can actually make very cool pets.
Ants can be an interesting choice when looking for a pet insect. Having an ant farm will allow you to observe the complex behaviors and social hierarchy of these small but truly organized creatures.
Ant farms come in many designs, with sand or gel-based systems being the most common. Both of these options are really easy to maintain, as they are full of everything ants need to naturally thrive.
Most ant species prefer temperatures between 70-80°F (21-27°C) and moderate humidity. It is important to avoid any extreme fluctuations in temperature, as this can affect the colony’s operations. Despite their size, ants are pretty hardy, and they only require small amounts of food.
Most commonly, they live on a diet of sugar water, honey, or specially formulated ant food. Water is important for them and needs to be in a small, shallow dish with a cotton ball in it to prevent drowning.
4. Stick Insects
One of the most popular types of pet insects is the famous stick insect. These guys are such an intriguing option and are so fun to watch. They are awesome at camouflage and often mimic leaves and sticks, making them very unique as pets. A tall, well-ventilated terrarium is their ideal home as they need lots of space to climb and roam.
A layer of soil or paper towels is fine for them and makes for super easy cleaning. They generally thrive in temperatures between 65-80°F (18-27°C) and prefer high humidity. We definitely recommend misting once or twice a week to help maintain proper humidity levels for these little critters.
Stick insects are herbivores, making them very easy to feed as you can get their food for free just by foraging. You should provide them with a variety of fresh leaves like oak, ivy, or bramble. Just make sure the leaves are pesticide-free. They will also need a shallow water dish with a cotton ball in it to make sure they don’t drown while drinking.
Stick insects are very low-maintenance, and these weird-looking bugs make great pets.
#5 Beetles
Beetles come in a wide array of sizes and species. The best part? They’re suitable for first-time insect owners! The Rhinoceros Beetle (Dynastes spp.) and the Stag Beetle (Cyclommatus metallifer) are two of the most popular and beloved choices by new pet owners.
They are easy to keep in a terrarium or an aquarium with a secure lid. They just need enough space to move around comfortably. A mix of soil, sand, and decaying wood is good for them as it mimics their natural environment. Deeper substrate is best; after all, beetles love to burrow!
Most beetles prefer temperatures between 70-80°F (21-27°C). It is important to keep them at a moderate humidity by lightly misting the substrate every so often. These guys are usually detritivores, meaning they love feeding on decaying plant materials, vegetables, and fruits. Some may eat insects.
Beetles are super hardy and really easy to take care of. They also have very interesting behaviors to watch, and their appearances also add to their allure.
