The Amazing Animals
Arthropods«Back
Desert or Texas Striped Millipede
(Orthoporus ornatus)
Southwestern USA – These millipedes are found in the desert regions of Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. They are usually active in the late evening and at night. When disturbed they roll up into a tight loop and can exude a brown liquid which is toxic to insects and presumably distasteful to birds. It is the longest of the U.S. millipedes reaching a length of 6+ inches. They are found in a variety of colors including brown, black, yellow and burnt orange.
Tanzanian Arboreal Millipede
(Ephibolus pulchripes)
Africa– Also known as the Pink-Footed Millipede and is an arboreal species which originates from Tanzania and Kenya and reaches 4-5 inches in length. Millipedes do not actually have a thousand legs – they usually have between 100-400 (2 sets of legs per body segment). To find the number of legs on your millipede, count the body segments, multiply by 4, and subtract 10.
African Giant Millipede
(Archispirostreptus gigas)
Africa — African giant millipedes are extremely docile, moisture-loving giants that can reach lengths of up to 11 inches and have a life span of 10–12 years. African giant black millipedes are some of the largest millipedes in the world. When disturbed, they roll up into a tight loop and can exude a brown liquid that is toxic to insects and presumably distasteful to birds. Interestingly, millipedes do not actually have 1,000 legs; usually, they have between 100 and 400 (two sets of legs per body segment). To find the number of legs on a millipede, count the body segments, multiply by 4, and subtract 10. Our giant millipedes are affectionately dubbed “Larry, Moe and Curly.”
Fire Millipede
(Aphistogoniulus sp)
Madagascar — They are bright red with black stripes, and reach a total length of around four inches. Fire millipedes inhabit the damp floor of the Madagascar rainforests.
Mexican Fireleg Tarantula
(Brachyphelma bohemei)
Mexico — “Sparky” the fireleg spider is a terrestrial species native to Mexico that prefers dry conditions. They spend a lot of their time hiding when they’re not hunting prey such as insects, rodents and small birds. Firelegs are not particularly aggressive, however they have nervous temperaments and never hesitate to flick irritating hairs from the back of their abdomen and back legs which borrows into an enemy and makes them itch terribly. Although tarantulas are poisonous, their venom is used mainly for eating prey. For most people, tarantula bites are no worse than a bee sting unless they are allergic to them.
Mexican Redknee Tarantula
(Brachypelma smithi)
Mexico — Mexican redknee spiders are native to the coastal desert areas of central Mexico, living in burrows or under rocks. Females of this species can grow as large as 6 to 7 inches (including leg span) with a 3.5- to 4-inch body length. Mexican redknees are a threatened species, so it is illegal to collect them in the wild. Due to their aggressiveness toward each other, our tarantulas are kept in separate enclosures. Like most of our animals, “Rocky,” Animal Junction’s redknee tarantula, was bred and born in captivity.
Emperor or Imperial Scorpion
(Pandinus imperator)
Africa — Emperor scorpions belong to the class of arthropods Arachnida and originate from the hot, humid rainforests in Africa, where they dig under rocks, logs or tree roots. Emperors are the biggest of all scorpions and can reach lengths of up to 6.5 inches. Although each scorpion has a venomous stinger on the tip of its tail, adults normally rely on their large claws to capture prey. Thankfully, this species is fairly docile and reluctant to strike at you unless provoked. Females give birth to live young, which they carry around on their backs. Surprisingly, scorpions can live without food for up to a year and underwater for two days. “Sting,” our emperor scorpion, thrives on a diet of crickets and mealworms.
Madagascar Giant Hissing Cockroach
(Gromphadorhina portentosa)
Madagascar/Africa — These harmless cockroaches are nocturnal and can be found foraging on the floor of tropical forests, near riverbanks and around logs or trees. They are known as “hissers” because of their ability to compress their abdomens and force air through their spiracles, creating an “sssst” sound. Hissing cockroaches reach 3 inches in length and can easily climb glass. Females give live birth to 20–40 nymphs. Madagascar giant hissing cockroaches were a big hit in the movie Joe’s Apartment and are a favorite “sta ple” on the television show Fear Factor. Our cockroaches are fed a diet of fruits, veggies and dog food.
Giant Death’s Head Cockroach
(Blaberus cranifer)
Central America — These roaches obtained their name due to the strange skull/vampire face markings on the back of the head. They are good runners and one of the fastest of all insects. Their wing-cases make up much of their length. Though they can’t fly they can glide for some distance.
Giant Cave Roach
(Blaberus giganteus)
Central and South America — Giant cave roaches are one of largest species of cockroaches known to humans! Adults can reach lengths of up to 4-plus inches with a wingspan of 4–5 inches. Although they will eat almost anything, our roaches are fed a variety of fruits, vegetables and dog food. In the wild they are known to eat bat guano. Yuck!
Vietnamese Walking Stick Insect
(Baculum extradentatum)
Asia and Vietnam — Animal Junction maintains a small colony of these unusual 5-inch, stick-shaped bugs that are one of nature’s best examples of extreme camouflage. They are completely harmless, and it is lots of fun to have one walk down your arm. They have rather short lifespans—only about 6 months. An interesting fact about these insects is that the females are parthenogenic, which means the female of the species lays eggs that are clones of herself. We feed our Vietnamese walking sticks fruits and veggies, including kale and romaine lettuce.
Indian Walking Sticks
(Carausius morosus)
Asia and Vietnam — Animal Junction maintains a small colony of these unusual 5-inch, stick-shaped bugs that are one of nature’s best examples of extreme camouflage. They are completely harmless, and it is lots of fun to have one walk down your arm. They have rather short lifespans—only about 6 months. An interesting fact about these insects is that the females are parthenogenic, which means the female of the species lays eggs that are clones of herself. We feed are Indian walking sticks fruits and veggies, including kale and romaine lettuce.
Australian Prickly Sticks
(Extatisoma tiaratum)
Asia and Vietnam — Animal Junction maintains a small colony of these unusual 5-inch, stick-shaped bugs that are one of nature’s best examples of extreme camouflage. They are completely harmless, and it is lots of fun to have one walk down your arm. They have rather short lifespans—only about 6 months. An interesting fact about these insects is that the females are parthenogenic, which means the female of the species lays eggs that are clones of herself. We feed our Australian prickly sticks fruits and veggies, including kale and romaine lettuce.
Mediterranean Mantis
(Iris oratoria)
USA — The Mediterranean Mantis grows to about 2.5 inches long. The Iris Oratoria mantis species has artificial eyes on the wings they display the artificial eyes by raising the wings when the mantis is startled to scare away predators. This species has much eye appeal and they are very friendly to humans.
Carolina Mantis
(Stagmomantis Carolina)
USA — The Carolina mantis grows to 2.5 to 3 inches long, and can be solid lime-green, brown or mottled (mixed colors of green, brown, gray, white, black and purple). The males are usually black and green with some gray. Like most mantis species, they are gentle and friendly.
European Mantis
(Mantis relisiosa)
USA — The European mantis the one with the common name “Praying Mantis.” This species grows from 2 to 2.5 inches long and is well suited for classroom displays. In addition, gardeners and farmers can use the European mantis to help control insects that damage plants.
Rainbow Land Crab
(Gearcinus quadratus)
Africa — Rainbow land crabs originate in Africa, where they live on sand and mud flats of the lower Volta River system. These colorful crabs are solitary and become very aggressive toward one another when they reach maturity. We feed our crabs fish, vegetable matter and hermit crab food.
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