Advice on 'bugs' for childrens visits

[NigelE]

Hi

I do educational visits to schools and various community groups (cubs/brownies etc). Mostly with reptiles (Corns/Royals/Beardies/BTS etc)

I am gradually moving into 'MiniBeasts' and was looking for advice on other insects and 'creepy crawlies' that anyone can suggest? I have the following - Various stick insects, Hissers, Millipedes. I am looking for others? Preferably for children to handle. How about large beetles? Anything else?

Many thanks all

Nigel

 

[super-pede]

IMO children shouldn't handle the bugs that you bring to the school(I learned that the hard way).from what I have experienced is kids love the tailess whip scorpions (Damon diadema) and vinegarroons.Second favorite is usually the rainbow millipedes.there are many different species of rainbow milli's on the market but the thai type are the best.Third place belongs to the colorful tarantulas(avics,P.murinus,pokies,etc).Fourth place is all about the hissers and other large roaches.Fifth fav are the centipedes.Bring a large Vietnamese and you will have all the kigs staring in awe.
the only bugs that the rug rats should handle are stick insects.They are hard to find for sale though.There really aren't many large beetles in the hobby right now.

S-P

 

[zonbonzovi]

I second the handling part unless the children are a little older...say 10 and up? Big, docile tarantulas are always a hit. Yesterday I did a brief show for about 60 5-year-olds and the favorites were mantids, vinegaroon and tailless whips. The older children really seem to appreciate voracious feeders- if you don't have any "grabby" children, centipedes are fun to have them observe in a large sterilite container.

 

[Malhavoc's]

I often go to prescools to show off exotics, I have a few robust toads and local frogs, that are great to be handled ( I keep hand sanatizer with me to wash the childrens hands after holding) a nice king snake, and as far as insect I will display a few tarantulas not hold, millies can be handled however. and waking sticks.

 

[ZephAmp]

Gromphadorhina portentosa and Archimandrita tesselata. I've worked with kids of all ages and both species "keep their cool" very well, and kids just love them.

 

[NigelE]

Thank you

Thank you all for your comments and suggestions.

I have been doing visits with reptiles for almost three years now. I am very safety concious - you have to be where children are concerned. Its been a real success. There are certainly only some species of reptiles that are 'safe', Cornsnakes, Royals, Beardies, Leo's.

I am also concious of the animals - again these have to be suitable for transportation and not be stressed on being handled i.e. Beardies - fantastic, Chameleons - so interesting but will get far to stressed!

I am fairly new to 'bugs' and stuff, but wanted to find some that were suitable for handling - ZephAmp - agree with the hissers, these are large and robust and very 'Creepy' - perfect. I have several Tarantulas now, but as you say - for looking at only, but that is fine.

You might like to take a look at my website www.creepycritters.co.uk

Thanks again all

Best regards

Nigel