Bugs Alive!

Gisele, our Brazilian black tarantula, is certain to stir curiosity. The Brazilian black tarantula is covered in tiny little hairs, though they are not made out of the same things as our hair. These hairs allow them to sense movement nearby, but also can be flicked off their abdomen by their back legs. The hairs are barbed at the end, and can cause major irritation to a predator.

Meet Cleopatra, our Emperor Scorpion. The Emperor Scorpion is one of the largest species of scorpion in the world. Usually glossy black, may be dark brown or green, stinger and claws can have reddish color. Offspring are born white, color becomes darker with each molt.

Peruvian or giant cave cockroaches are one of the largest species of cockroach in the world, reaching up to four inches in length. Like all cockroach species, giant cave cockroaches are not household pests but actually play a key role in the environment. Breaking down organic matter into nutrients for the soil allows plants to grow and animals to thrive.

Giant African millipedes are found throughout the rainforests in Africa.  They tend to be found under rocks, and in most forest underbrush (leaves and soil). There are 6,500 species identified worldwide, of those species there are at least 600 found in North America.

The King Stag Beetle is also known as the Golden, Magnificent, Mueller’s, and Rainbow beetle. It is the Largest Australian member of the Lucanidae family.

Coraline is our Chilean rose tarantula. The Chilean rose-haired tarantula is a ground-dwelling species found in the South American rainforest. Tarantulas have eight tiny eyes on the ocular tubercle but they can hardly see at all. They rely almost entirely on touch, taste and smell. They smell using organs on their feet sensitive to airborne chemicals and humidity. There are also chemically sensitive hairs on the legs and pedipalps that act like taste organs.

Caterpillars in the family Sphingidae are known as hornworms, due to their worm-like body shape and the presence of a small, pointed “horn” at their posterior. Hornworm are the larval stage of the hawk moth.

Fun Fact: The caterpillars from Alice and Wonderland and A Bug’s Life are based on hornworms

Jungle nymphs, or Giant Thorny Phasmids, belong to the order “Phasmatodea” because of their cryptism. The Greek “phasm”, meaning phantom or apparition, alludes to the cryptic coloring and camouflage of members of the order; stick insects can resemble sticks, leaves, or twigs of several colors.