Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Raising Feeders for Inverts! (Blatta lateralis)

Raising Feeders! (Blatta lateralis)

Ano ano mga kailangan para makastart ng colony?

1. Budget(hehehe)
2. Bin, mas malaki mas maganda, kung kunti pa lang inverts mo, mag handa ka na ng malaking feeder colony kasi dadami din yan eh. hehehe
3. hand drill or anydrill, pwede din soldering irol, pambutas para sa ventilation, pwede din screen ang top mas maganda, you need to think paano mo ma cucut yung top ng bin.
4. Eggcrates
5. Petroleum jelly
6. Screen(if you wish na gawing screen ang top ng iyong colony)
7. Packing tape

Para saan saan ang mga nabanggit sa taas?
1.Budget - syempre pambili ng lahat ng kailangan, hehehe

2. Bin, dito ilalagay colony natin. you can start sa good size na bin, 20L would be good for a beginner's colony. Sa ace hardware meron 200+ yata. Swerte mo lang kung may recycled plastic na ginawang bins sa ACE Hardware sa lugar nyo. Like dito sa amin, naka bili ako ng bin with a dimension of 27LX14WX12H sa 200 pesos ko. kaya upgrade ng bin agad.

3.Drill/Soldering Iron, para sa ventilation sa taas ng bin. Pero I suggest na i fine screen nyo na lang yung top. Para sa pag cut ng cover ng bin, kayo na bahala dumeskarte. Yung akin ginawa ko binutasan ko muna ng maliit gamit ang soldering iron hanggang kumasya yung lagare kasi nilagari yung cover ng bin. Sa  pag didikit ng screen gamit ng iba vulcaseal, yung iba naman silicone sealant. Pero I prefer nylon cable tie, mas nagagandahan at natitibayan kasi ako. unlike sa vulcaseal or sealant, pag subrang bigat sa taas pwedeng bumigay yung sealant.

4. Eggcrates, this will serve as hides ng mga lats mo, wag kayong bumili ng plastic please lang.hehehe

5. Petroleum jelly, this will serve naman as anti langgam attack. Para maiwasan magkalanggam yung colony mo, yung labas ng bin mo pahiran mo ng petroleum jelly para hindi maka akyat yung mga langgam. 

6.Screen, nasabi ko na sa #3.

7.packing tape, para ma make sure na hindi maka akyat yung lateralis sa bin, lagyan ng packing tape sa inner wall ng bin na hindi abot ng eggcrates para panigurado lang na walang makakaakyat na lats, minsan kasi nagiging rough yung bin.

Bin for you colony

Madali lang naman tong gawin.
FIRST.      work for ventilation, eto lang yung part na pagpapawisan ka, sa kakalagari pag nag screen top ka. hehehe.. If you use screen top, make sure yung screen na gamit mo fine na hindi makakalusot ang mga nymphs. Same as with holes din, wag masyadong malaki.

NEXT.       yung eggcrates ilagay mo na, I suggest na patayo yung eggcrates para yung mga dumi nila mahulog lang sa ilalim, na experience ko kasi pag pahiga, iniipon sa crates yung dumi.

THEN.      pahiran mo ng petroleum jelly yung outer wall ng bin mo para hindi maka akyat mga langgam.

FINNALY. ilagay mo na starting colony mo. Goodluck! :D


DOs and Donts

Dos
1. Feed them with citrus fruits, and remove left over after 24hours
2. Feed them with variety of food, catfood, dogfood etc.
3. Bigyan mo sila water supply, mas maganda pag water crystal pag wala pwede naman yung tubigan ng manok, lagyan mo lng ng screen mesh apra hindi malunod mga lats.
4. Check mo yung petroleum jelly, minsan nag kakaalikabok, need mo ulitin pag lagay.

Dont's
1. Wag mo hayaan yung mga uneaten na pagkain mag stay sa colony especially fruits and veggies.
2. Wag ka mag mist ng colony mo, dapat dry yung colony.
3. Wag ka mag feed ng high calcium na pagkain kung sa inverts mo sila papakain.
4. Wag mo hayaang bukas yung colony mo all day long.
5. Pag bago pa lang colony mo, wag mo muna galawin para maka stabilize at maka parami.
6. Wag ka mag espray ng insecticide sa room na kung nasaan colony mo, malamang magtataka bakit tigok sila.


I will try to update this post kung may dapat alisin at idagdag. Comments are welcome. 

Here is my colony eating orange. :D


and here is my cover.



FAQs

how many days till the egg hatch?
depends on its environment, sa akin more or less a month.

can you harvest egg, put them on another container? it will hatch?
yes pwede, delicups lang na clean and dry.

how many nymphs inside the egg?
an average of 17 nymphs.

what is the proper humidity and temperature?
room temperature would do.
set up for the container of eggs? is it like an incubator?
no, just put it on delicups and wait for it to hatch.

Pandinus imperator

Pandinus imperator







Type Terrestrial
DietYung akin neto 4i ko na nakuha, I used to feed it with a SW na putol ang ulo, yung lumalabas na juice mula sa katawan ng SW yung sinusubo ko sa bibig nya para kumain kung nirereject nya yung SW.
FullGrownSize7inches siguro, not sure
Growth
4i ng nakuha ko yung akin last year, ngayon 6i na. kayo na bahala humusga. hehehe
TemperatureSa atin dahil tropical country tayo. Yung room temperature natin ok na.
HumiditySince most of hobbyist hindi gumagamit ng humidity gauge, yung ginagawa ko ay not too wet and not too dry substrate and nag poprovide lang ako ng water dish, tapos nag mimist ako to maintain the substrate.
Temperamentdocile naman, pero defensive pag nasa kanyang enclosure.

Housingyung 6i ko is living on a 8" cube enclosure. for slings, delicups na maliit lang na saktong makagalaw lang sila, para pag feeding time hindi sila mahirapan mang huli ng pagkain.
Substratefor me, for all ts the best substrate si cocopeat,
DecorThe only decoration is the 3D hide I made my self.


Grammostola pulchripes

Grammostola pulchripes







Type Terrestrial
DietSa slings, lateralis nymphs, pinheads or pre cut mealworms pwede. Ako I prefer lats, kasi not harmful sa nymphs, even sa malalaking ts, yung lateralis indi nangangagat not like sa crickets. Pag malaki na, lateralis na pinapakain ko at prekilled SW.
FullGrownSize7-8inches
Growth
para sa akin mabilis naman.
TemperatureSa atin dahil tropical country tayo. Yung room temperature natin ok na.
HumiditySince most of hobbyist hindi gumagamit ng humidity gauge, yung ginagawa ko ay dry substrate and nag poprovide lang ako ng water dish, tapos nag mimist ako once a week.
Temperamentsobrang bait neto, this is why this is the best beginner's tarantula kasi very docile sya.

HousingYung pulchripes ko nasa 13Wx15Lx8H na enclosure as permanent enclosure.
Substratefor me, for all ts the best substrate si cocopeat,
DecorThe only decoration is the clay pot na nag seserve as hide nya.


Thrixopelma ockerti

Thrixopelma ockerti







Type Said to be terrestrial, but mine keeps on hanging on a tree, so I'll say semi arboreal sya.(in my own opinyon)
DietSa slings, lateralis nymphs, pinheads or pre cut mealworms pwede. Ako I prefer lats, kasi not harmful sa nymphs, even sa malalaking ts, yung lateralis indi nangangagat not like sa crickets. Pag malaki na, lateralis na pinapakain ko at prekilled SW.
FullGrownSizeI dont have an idea, mine is still juvy. hehehe
Growth
Mabilis naman lumaki
TemperatureSa atin dahil tropical country tayo. Yung room temperature natin ok na.
HumiditySince most of hobbyist hindi gumagamit ng humidity gauge, yung ginagawa ko ay dry substrate and nag poprovide lang ako ng water dish, tapos nag mimist ako once a week.
TemperamentSobrang flicker, konting galaw ng enclosure mag fiflick na, kaya laging kalbo abdomen nya,

HousingWell, as slings sa delicups lang. Yung 3" ko nilalagay ko sa 6Wx6Lx8H na enclosure, trip kasing mag arboreal ng ockerti ko.
Substratefor me, for all ts the best substrate si cocopeat,
DecorNag lagay ako ng bark para dun sya mag stay pag nag arboreal mode sya.


Acanthoscurria chacoana

Acanthoscurria chacoana




TypeTerrestrial.
DietSa slings, lateralis nymphs, pinheads or pre cut mealworms pwede. Ako I prefer lats, kasi not harmful sa nymphs, even sa malalaking ts, yung lateralis indi nangangagat not like sa crickets. Pag malaki na, lateralis na pinapakain ko at prekilled SW.
FullGrownSize7-8inches
Growth
Mabilis naman lumaki
TemperatureSa atin dahil tropical country tayo. Yung room temperature natin ok na.
HumiditySince most of hobbyist hindi gumagamit ng humidity gauge, yung ginagawa ko ay dry substrate and nag poprovide lang ako ng water dish, tapos nag mimist ako once a week.
TemperamentMinsan defensive minsan hindi, flicker talaga to. I've handled mine, but I won't recommend to anyone ang pag hahandle ng ganitong specie, paiba iba din kasi ugali ng mga tarantulas.
HousingWell, as slings sa delicups lang. Yung adult ko nilagay ko sa 13Wx15Lx8H na enclosure. nag lagay ako mga decorations like driftwood and clay pot as hide, pero nirenovate nya yung lahat ng ginawa ko.
Substratefor me, for all ts the best substrate si cocopeat, I used 3inches cocopeat, tapos sya ng nag renovate ng bahay nya.
Decorhide lang ok na,para ma feel nila na secure sila.
Other NamesN/A.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Philippine Local Tarantulas

PHILIPPINE LOCAL TARANTULAS

If I'm not mistaken Kuya Kim / Kim Atienza once said that there is no tarantulas here at Philippines, Well I guess I would make you guys believe after reading this one!

There are two types of tarantulas in general, arboreal which stay of trees and terrestrial which dwells at ground.
Tarantula can be also classified as old world, they are biters as their self defense and the other one is the new world tarantula which are known to be flicker, they flick hairs on their abdomen causing itchiness in contact.

Philippines species are considered as Old world tarantulas they would bite if they feel threatened. Sad to say, tarantula hobbyist are confused on identifying our local species because they are really look alike.

Anyway, let's make this fast, here are the Phil species that I knew. Please forgive me if I can't provide pictures for all the species.

1. Phlogiellus baeri
2. Phlogiellus insularis
3. Phlogiellus mutus
4. Orphnaecus pillitus
5.  Selenobrachys philipinus
6. Selenobrachys samarae

Phlogiellus baeri or the P. baeri (Philippine Dwarf Tarantula) are found in Luzon area and can reach up to 2.5inches.
image taken from
http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?188658-shandman-s-Tarantulas

 Phlogiellus mutus and Phlogiellus insularis are look alike of a P.baeri but this is found in Visayas and Mindanao area and a bit more bigger than a P. baeri. Thiese two specie are more brownish than the P.baeri too.

Possible a P. mutus or P. insularis. sorry I can't really ID this correctly.

Selenobrachys samarae or the samar cave tarantula are found on the cave of samar. this specie tends to be a semi arboreal tarantula, sometimes it dwells in ground sometimes on trees.

credits to Mr. arachboy for this photo


Selenobrachys philipinus or the Philippine Orange Tarantula, this specie is only found on Panay and Negros Island. IMO, this is the most beautiful tarantula that can be found at Philippines, this specie is known to be a burrower and a webber. This specie cost fairly expensive in abroad because this specie is hard to breed. I guess I've seen an ads selling a 1cm sling(spiderling) of this specie for 45USD.

image taken from:
http://scorpionforum.darkbb.com/t3575-selenobrachys-philippinus

Orphnaecus pillitus 

Stop Hunting For Tokay Geckos!!

STOP THE HUNT!
image taken from:
http://www.thefeaturedcreature.com/2011/02/tokay-geckos-are-biters.html#axzz1VFU0G0St



Hello everyone! I am just a concerned citizen trying to save our wildlife resources. People have been blinded by money they could have for getting tokay geckos and selling it to someone who believed that this reptiles are used to cure some serious illness.

What are tokay geckos?

Tokay are considered as the 2nd to the largest gecko in the world. Like any other reptiles, females are smaller than males. Tokay can reach up to 14" in maturity. They can be sexually mature within 9months to 1year but they would reach their full size within 2years. Tokay geckos are blue-gray with dots/spots from reddish-orange to whitish-yellow. Tokays can darkness or lighten their color depends on their environment. Tokays in wild can live up to 10years.

Tokay geckos are like other wild animals that has a big role in the balance of nature. This gecko feed on insects usually house roaches that are pest and bacteria/virus carrier, they are usually valued in most homes because they are considered as a pest control reptiles. Tokays are nocturnal animals, it means they are active at night. They are also arboreal reptiles, it means they stay on tress or cliff or at our ceilings. They are considered as violent reptiles because they are REAL violent! Their bites would give you a painful bite, and they are like pit-bull that when they bite, their jaws locks up to 8mins and well I guess it means, "good luck buddy!"

People now are hunting for tokay gecko for the sake of MONEY! People would capture those tokay gecko living in peace just to earn some money. I don't really know why people keep on finding ways to get rich in an instant. People now are very lazy to work hard for what life they want to live, although there is an exception. I've seen a lot of ads in the net looking for Tokay gecko, selling tokay gecko buying tokay gecko. They never ever thought of what could be the negative effects of selling every tokay gecko in the wild. Most of captured tokay geckos are living with them helping them control the pest that comes in their homes. But they never realized how this noble reptiles helped in their homes. They've been blind by their greedy minds!



When is the right time to take tokay gecko from wild?


There will be time that would be a great deed to take tokay gecko from its natural habitat, that time is when the tokay gecko is weak and ill. This is the time we need to help them out, take care of them and after they have recovered, we need to set them free. We are not really helping them when we will keep on captivity, they would be lazy hunting for food and those pest insects that they feed would be happy and will have time to propagate and that would not be a good thing to happen!


Well, I guess atleast you have been enlighten about tokay geckos. I am a petlover, but I never want to get a tokay gecko to keep as pet, that's not a good idea. If you really want to get a gecko pet, I would recommend Leopard gecko. they are gentle geckos that would be a great pet than a tokay gecko. :)

Monday, August 15, 2011

Don't buy pets on impulse this season

Sugar Glider photo from Google Images On your holiday buying trips to the mall this
year try real hard to avoid purchasing an animal for a gift. Responsible pet ownership entails someone doing adequate research on the species of pet that fits their particular lifestyle before making the decision to bring one into their home. It is never a good idea to obtain a pet for someone else who had no plans for including a living creature as part of their household.
This is especially true for exotic pets like sugar glider squirrels. The sugar glider squirrel is a marsupial and native to Australia. It is a wild animal. To responsibly care for sugar gliders you need to understand their needs, abilities and limitations. Sugar gliders:
  • Are incapable of potty training
  • Require specific diets not found in stores (including live insects)
  • Need hours of daily one on one attention from owners
  • Need large cages to allow movement
  • Cages require frequent cleaning to avoid obnoxious smells
  • Are nocturnal
  • Do not get along with other animals
  • Propensity to get into trouble in your house (safety issues)
  • Requires a veterinarian that specializes in exotic pets (there are not that many so traveling long distance to vet visits may be necessary)
  • Will require use of on-line specialty stores for their food and other supplies
Recently, a concession stand at the Freehold Mall in Freehold, NJ was seen selling sugar glider squirrels marked as "Pocket Pets" and packaged in tiny boxes for transport home. If you agree this is inappropriate contact the Freehold Raceway Mall Senior Manager, Frank Lucia and let him know your dissatisfaction. Phone, write, fax or email:
Senior Manager, Frank Lucia
Freehold Raceway Mall
3710 Route 9, Suite 1000
Freehold, NJ 07728
T- 732-577-1300
F- 732-577-6809
frank.lucia@macerich.com  
Photo at Freehold Mall of the 'Pocket Pets' concession stand selling live Sugar Gliders
As cute as sugar gliders are, try and resist the urge to purchase one at first sight. If you can't shrug off the desire to buy that special someone on your shopping list a pet why not get them a stuffed animal, a pet rock or the virtual pets that can be adopted on line like Foo Pets?
If you like what you've read from the Philadelphia Animal Advocate Examiner, consider subscribing; it's FREE and you will receive an email with every newly published article. Your privacy is fully respected and your email address and information is kept private.

http://www.examiner.com/animal-advocate-in-philadelphia/don-t-buy-pets-on-impulse-this-holiday-season