10 Best Insects That Make Great Pets

A great pet is not the first thing that comes to your mind when you think about insects. These creepy crawlies can make interesting companions and pets. Although they won’t snuggle with you or keep you warm at night they can give you a sense of pride and ownership.

Let’s look at 10 fascinating insects that make great pets.

1. Stick Bugs

Stick bugs are among nature’s most stealthy creatures. Because they are naturally disguised to appear like leaves, bundles, or sticks, stick bugs are very stealthy. There’s a good chance you’ve seen many stick bugs and didn’t know it.

There are many sizes of stick bugs. Some can be as small as a few inches in length while others can reach a foot or more in length. Stick bugs can be fragile despite their woody appearance. They are only able to handle gentle touch.

2. Millipedes

Technically, millipedes don’t look like insects. They’re arthropods just like scorpions and crabs. However, they are still very cool. These pets are fascinating and you can see how their legs work together to make burrowing tunnels in leaf litter.

However, we don’t recommend touching them for too long. Millipedes have an unusual defense mechanism that excretes chemicals that can irritate the skin.

3. Cockroaches

Cockroaches are commonly considered pests and should be eradicated from all homes. While some cockroaches (such as the German cockroach) can be a nuisance and carry diseases, others are more comfortable with bug enthusiasts.

The Mediterranean Hissing Cockroach is the most popular species of pet cockroach. Because of their unique sound, they are highly sought after as pets.

4. Praying Mantis

The praying mantis is one of the most terrifying insects. Their triangular-shaped heads are piercing and feature their signature pose and pinchers. They are also cannibalistic. They are some of the best hunters in nature and help keep pest populations under control.

These animals are also great to keep as pets. It is amazing to watch these hunters in action. These animals only live about six months so you shouldn’t expect them to be your long-term companion.

5. Crickets

Many cultures consider crickets lucky and make great pets. They are easy to care for and can even be therapeutic in their chirping. Your crickets won’t last very long. They live for a few weeks.

For those with larger predatory insects or reptiles, raising crickets can prove to be very profitable. They are a good food source for many other species.

6. Mealworms

Mealworms are a great option if you don’t have the time or patience to care for a pet. They are the easiest pet to care for. You only need to provide a bed of oatmeal and occasional vegetables to keep them happy and well-nourished. To keep their habitat clean, just change their oat bedding every other week.

Children will love to have mealworms as pets, provided they are gentle enough to take care of them. Children will enjoy the crunchy texture and wiggly texture of mealworms when they are held.

7. Ants

An ant farm is one the most exciting things you can do for your insect pet. It is amazing to see ants build their colonies. Ants are one of the most hardworking insects.

If you provide food and water, ants can be self-sufficient once you have started raising them. Be sure to check your ant species’ dietary restrictions. Some ants can live on honey and water, while others require plants, seeds, or other insects.

8. Doodlebugs

Do not let the cute name fool your eyes. These creatures are deadly-looking and can live a dangerous lifestyle. Doodlebugs represent the juvenile stage in the antlion’s life cycle. They spend their time creating traps for unaware ants to catch.

An antlion’s metamorphosis is similar to that of butterflies. They emerge from cocoons with wings and long, narrow bodies. These insects can be used to observe animal predation and transformation in one go.

9. Woodlice

These tiny buggers are also known as pill bugs or rollie pollies. You can catch the smaller varieties outside, as they come in many sizes. They are essentially harmless and won’t bite.

They are great for children, too. They can be used to protect children from getting too rough with them. The child’s mini armored exoskeleton can protect them from the pressure of prodding fingers and grubby fingers.

10. Rhinoceros Beetle

A rhinoceros beetle is a great way to grab attention if you are looking for something that will make you stand out. The large, protruding horn that is visible on their heads gives these creatures their name.

If you plan to breed them, it can be a challenge. Captive mating is not an option for them. It is possible. It is possible to keep the female in place, while the male approaches and allows nature to take its course.

Insects can make interesting pets

Although insects are often regarded as scary or gross, they can still be as fascinating as any other species. Because they are easy to care for and require minimal attention, they make great house pets. Insects will also show you a side of the animal world you may not have seen before.