Exotic Pets

Shrimp, like lobsters and crabs, are crustaceans in the Decapoda order, Decapoda referring to 10 legs. Shrimp are further classified as Caridea, of which there are over 2,500 known species. Most...

The ostrich is the largest bird is the world. Although they are primarily found in Africa, they can be successfully raised in many other countries. An ostrich's egg is the largest bird egg;...

Flamingos live in large colonies reaching 10,000 in number. The flock consists of 1,000's of pairs, couples that have mated for life. That same commitment can be seen in caring for their offspring.

The sea urchin is a round, spiny marine creature found in most of the world's oceans. They come in many colors, each related to its habitat. The sea urchin is valuable in keeping algae under...

There are three stages to the wasp life cycle: egg, larva and adulthood. The life cycle starts with a queen who has hibernated for the winter. The queen will begin building her nest in the early...

Dungeness crab is named after the town of Dungeness, Washington, where the first commercial harvesting of Cancer magister (its scientific name) was done. This crab is the main crab sold out of...

The bilharzia (or schistosomiasis) is a group of parasitic worms that causes all sorts of problems in the human body. The worms most commonly infect humans in Third World countries with poor...

Polychaeta refers to a genus of segmented worms that has approximately 9,000 known species. These worms have been found in land and marine environments, though most species are marine. These...

Hermit crabs are invertebrates (no interior skeleton) with 10 jointed legs, two front legs with claws, two eyes at the end of stalks, two antennae, and a soft and twisted lower body that they keep...

Octopus are cephalopod mollusks that have eight arms equipped with two rows of suckers. There are more than 100 species of octopi living in marine waters throughout the world. The best known...

Silkworms spin cocoons that are made out of silk. The most common silkworm used for silk is the Bombyx mori. Over the years, silkworms have been bred to increase silk production. Selective...

A zoo favorite of adults and children alike, the ostrich is truly an interesting animal. From its large size to its odd feathers, this flightless giant is unlike any other. An African native, the...

Triops are fresh-water crustaceans with a long history. They date back more than 200 million years, making them even older than dinosaurs. Triops are considered living fossils, because their basic...

Hatching and raising butterflies can be a fantastic way to observe the complete metamorphosis of a living creature. When you begin with the eggs, you can follow the development from newly hatched...

Walking sticks are large insects that look like a collection of brown or green sticks. This look gives them an effective camouflage against other insects, bats, rodents, spiders and birds that...

A rhea is a bird originating from South America that belongs to the ratite family. It is similar to the emu and the ostrich. Rheas are not commonly farmed, but they are desirable for their...

Bearded dragons or beardies as they are sometimes called are a kind of lizard that has gained popularity as small exotic pets. Some experienced bearded dragon owners like to breed their dragons so...

Fruit plies are a pest common to many homes. As their name suggests, they are often found in the kitchen hovering around the fruit. However, they do not eat fruit and they are generally not...

While butterflies find mates by sight, moths use their sense of smell. This is because they usually come out at night and they are pretty drab and gray to begin with, making them hard to spot,...

There are many different species and types of sharks. Most all of those species have a different mating ritual. It is difficult to generalize one particular behavior that is indicative of all...

Fleas are small, dark colored, blood-sucking insects. Their bodies are flat on each side to allow easy movement through hair and fur. They have no wings but legs that are long and allow them to...

Earthworms need to find a mate in order to reproduce. But they don't have to look far. Every other earthworm they meet is a potential partner, since earthworms are both male and female. They mate...

Breeding and raising butterflies is a hobby that is as rewarding as it is interesting, and the ability to view the process at close range is indescribable. Raising butterflies can be done at home...

Learn how to protect salamander eggs in this free video clip about breeding tiger salamanders.

Sea monkeys are a type of large brine shrimp, about a half inch long as adults. The eggs can last for a long time out of water and they are often sold as a kit with a small tank. When added to the...

So you have just returned from an incredible family trip to Sea World, and your kids, as well as your husband, are now dying to own a shark. Maybe you just have always been fascinated (like most...

Breeding alligators can be a lucrative and exciting business if undertaken correctly. While the large reptiles will never be cute and cuddly pets, many people keep alligators out of sheer...

Rheas, members of the ratite family, are large flightless birds related to the ostrich. You can purchase them as pets or as alternative livestock. Rheas are farmed in the U.S. for their lean red...