Thought you guys could help me out

My son is turning 4 very soon. Well, he is 100% fascinated with bugs. I thought this was normal little boy behavior, but no this goes way beyond that. He sits and reads insect books almost all day lol. Sits with me for hours looking at pics on the internet of insects. He also watches insect shows on discovery and animal planet. He is obsessed.

Well, he wants a scorpion. BAD. I don't think its really a good pet for a 4 year old. He won't be able to touch it, just look. I think it would be very boring for him. Could also potentially hurt him.
So by not getting him a scorpion, I don't want to put a damper his passion for bugs. This is something he really enjoys. My little future entomologist. I just want something he can enjoy, play with and not get hurt. Any ideas? Maybe ant farm? Anything else hands on anyone here knows about?

Thanks.

well actually someone I know really well has a scorpian and they are as "tame" as puppy dogs. Maybe some reasearch on the emperor scorpian could prove useful. but if you are still alittle unsure about scorpian stingers Another awesome bug would definatly be a Giant Millapede/centapede! they eat veggies and are really nifty! scorpians are more interesting than an ant farm, and centepedes are safer than scorpians... Although I do belive that centepedes have a toxin as well so read up is your are interested! Hope this idea helps! :rockon:

Get him a hissing cockroach. Those are pretty cool. As with millipeade they secrete a liquid that could be yucky for your little one.

even more interesting for your little guy would be a Malaysian Orchid Mantis. they are REALLY pretty! they look like little flower petals!
http://www.petbugs.com/caresheets/H-coronatus.html

My big brother came up with a great idea!!! There is a little insect called a Giant Vinegaroon. Which are basically stingerless scorpians! they are really docile and calm... basically the ball python of the insect world. My brother says that he had one for a while when he lived with our biological mother. He says that they make wonderful pets as long as they are cared for properly. my Bro and I hope this puts an end to the search for the perfect pet for your son!

My son was like that with snakes, and well..... Be careful what you start. :giggle:

Another option you might want to consider is a millipede. It's a relatively inexpensive little critter, and he can handle it. Plus, it has all those cool little leggies. :D

I love hissing cockroach's.

i definatley would suggest getting him something. I know my parents didnt let me explore many things when i as little, and now that i can do things for myself i find myself realizing i missed out on so many things, lord only knows what else i would be into if i had the chance to explore! My first choice would be a millipede. i had one and LOVED it, i think that he will really like the feeling the legs give when they crawl on you. If you get an imperial scorpian it shouldn't be harmful to him, if it stings/pinches him, he might hurt it, but he is also 4, they have the potential to hurt anything. lol. i've never sceen/had a hissing cockroach, so i can't really comment on them, but i would say get a millipede. If you do, make sure the liquid that they let out is not swollowed or gets into his eyes.
good luck! keep us posted!

Thanks for all your replies... I will read about every thing you all suggested. I am definately going to get something good for him. I was able to explore as a child and my mom never restricted my passion for animals. So I will do the same with my two children. I will let you all know what we decide.
Kristy

Moved to invert forum.

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Originally Posted by RoyalGuardian

Another awesome bug would definatly be a Giant Millapede/centapede! they eat veggies and are really nifty! scorpians are more interesting than an ant farm, and centepedes are safer than scorpians... Although I do belive that centepedes have a toxin as well so read up is your are interested! Hope this idea helps! :rockon:

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Ok there is a BIG difference between a giant centipede and a giant millipede.

Centipedes are fast, very aggressive, and venomous.. BAD choice.

Millipedes on the other hand are slow and docile.. however, when stressed they secrete a nasty poison out of their sides.. as long as you supervise your son when handling it and make sure he washes his hands after handling the millipede, they're perfectly safe.

Giant vinegaroons are a good choice.. I would not recommend it's relative the tailless whipscorpion however, as they are very fragile.

Emperor scorpions can be docile, however they can pinch VERY hard, and if they sting you it's like a very nasty bee sting. If your son wants an invert he can handle, I would not recommend a scorpion.

Ever thought of seeing how he would like geckos or frogs?

@ shelby_ thats why i told her to read up :rolleyes:

Thanks, we have 3 geckos already. He helps me a lot with the geckos. Cleaning, feeding, you name it. He is awesome with the reptiles. He loves Houdini, my male bp. Loves him to death lol.

So read up on millipedes not centipedes. That is a big difference. One I don't want to find out by mistake.

We have four frogs too lol they are aquatic, but those are his. I take care of them but they are his.

I told my mom about the scorpion and she was obviously distraught over it and DID NOT want me to get one for him. I didn't even bother trying to explain that he wouldn't be holding it. She didn't like the millipede things either lol She hates bugs. I was also thinking about a tarantula, but HUbby is TERRIFIED of spiders and I have to respect that.

So he may have to wait until just after his birthday til we find something perfect for him. In the mean time I have lots of reading to do lol.

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Originally Posted by RoyalGuardian

@ shelby_ thats why i told her to read up :rolleyes:

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I was simply clearing up incorrect information for Kristy.

..and Kristy, tarantulas are also very fragile, and any T can bite, so if you decide on one for your son, he should not be allowed to touch it. There are many great Ts for display, however. I have 8 tarantulas, and they're quite addictive. :)

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Originally Posted by Shelby

I was simply clearing up incorrect information for Kristy.

..and Kristy, tarantulas are also very fragile, and any T can bite, so if you decide on one for your son, he should not be allowed to touch it. There are many great Ts for display, however. I have 8 tarantulas, and they're quite addictive. :)

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Thanks for clearing that up too, I don't think I would have realized there was such a big difference.

T's are out of the question lol. Shaun is so deathly afraid of spiders. Maybe someday, but not in the near future. Although I have being dieing for a nice BIG BLUE spider lol.

Like poecilotheria metallica? http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g7...t/100_5444.jpg

Or a Cyriopagopus sp. Singapore Blue....or, better yet...both. :D

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Originally Posted by Shelby

Like poecilotheria metallica? http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g7...t/100_5444.jpg

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those metallicas are hot!! i was looking at a one incher a few years ago. they were going for 400 then! what are the prices on them now?


vaughn

Scorps for a 4 year old... Maybe a little young. But I am in this business and there are alot of kids like this one that are fasinated with snakes, bug, ect. I wouldn't rule it out but maybe put some resrictions on handling it..

Ooh I love singapore blues..

Vaughn I'm not sure on the price of the gooty ornamentals right now (still a 3 digit price, and I'm not in the market for more Ts at this time) but you could check into swiftinverts.com.. they've had them available in the past, not sure if they do now or not.

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Originally Posted by jahillis

Scorps for a 4 year old... Maybe a little young. But I am in this business and there are alot of kids like this one that are fasinated with snakes, bug, ect. I wouldn't rule it out but maybe put some resrictions on handling it..

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My son was 3 when we got him his first tarantula and 4 when he got his first scorpions. However, what parents need to understand (in my opinion) is that inverts are not "play" pets, they're "display" pets and not for holding...especially by young children.
My children all have tarantulas and scorpions, however, they do not hold any of them. As well, the inverts' care is not left up to them. My husband and I take care of the inverts and the kids get the honor of reminding us that they belong to "them". ;)

As for P. metallica, currently Botar by 8s and Swift are sold out. The average price for a s'ling these days is about $200