Discover the Fascinating World of 'Specials'

Leaf insect, Phyllium sp.

This species was formerly known as Phyllium sp. Leaf insects belong to the group Phasmida, which also includes stick insects. Leaf insects can be of various species, but always fall under the large species, hence the information below on the giant leaf insect.

The information below mainly concerns PSG72.

Appearance and Origin

The species lives only in western Malaysia and is the largest known species.

The animal has excellent camouflage: its body strongly resembles a ragged leaf. Not only is the color green and the body flat and oval, but the veins are also mimicked. Its legs are brown and have indentations, appearing irregular. This makes it even more difficult for a potential enemy to spot them. If the animal is caught anyway, it plays dead, because insectivores do not eat dead insects and sometimes drop the leaf insect. This is also its only defense; a leaf insect is otherwise completely defenseless.

An adult female is over 13 cm. (PSG278 remains a bit smaller with a maximum of 8 cm.)

Reproduction

Reproduction is special. Males do occur in nature, but they are not needed for breeding animals in captivity. In captivity, therefore, only females are available. The females then produce unfertilized eggs which do hatch and are all female. This is called parthenogenesis. (In PSG278, males also occur; they are smaller and narrower and can fly reasonably well with substantial wings.)

Development

All specimens born through parthenogenesis are females. Gynandromorphism also occurs in this species: the phenomenon that an individual possesses many male characteristics, yet is female. Young animals are called nymphs and are reddish-brown until their first molt. When the nymphs have just hatched from the egg, they look like small spiders. Later, when they start eating, they turn green. The eggs hatch after 5 to 6 months, and it takes almost a year for the animals to mature. The leaf insects go through 8 molting stages.

Housing

Giant leaf insects are kept at room temperature. Approximately 20 ^o to 25^o Celsius. They need a terrarium of at least 20cm long x 20cm wide x 40cm high. Such a tank is suitable for housing about five adult animals. There must be sufficient ventilation.

Feeding

They feed on blackberry leaves. If available, a sprig of rose leaves or oak leaves.

A jam jar with holes in the lid serves as a vase for the blackberry sprigs. This prevents eggs and nymphs from ending up in the water and keeps the blackberry leaves fresh for one to two weeks.

It is important that the climate in the tank is relatively dry. This is achieved by spraying sparingly with a plant mister. The animals drink moisture from fresh leaves. So always ensure fresh blackberry leaves with the branches/stems in moisture as described above.

Handling and moving

Sometimes it is necessary to move the leaf insects. The small specimens can most easily be picked up by the tip of their "tail" and carefully pulled loose if they are holding on. If you find this scary, a spoon is a good solution. With a little skill, they will walk onto it themselves. Carefully pick up the larger specimens. If they are holding onto a twig, do not pull hard. You can also manipulate them so that they walk onto your hand themselves.

Replacing blackberry leaves for nymphs

The advice is to first replace the withered leaves by cutting the leaves from the old twigs in the tank and leaving them in the tank with the nymphs attached. Remove the twigs and some leaves. Continue this until all twigs have been removed from the jam jar with holes. Once the jam jars have been cleaned, they are put back, and new twigs are placed in them. A few days later, you remove the dried leaves. Make sure to check carefully that there are no nymphs on them.

Maintenance

On the bottom, for example, lay a few centimeters of sandbox or tile sand. This prevents mold. The dry sand easily absorbs moisture and also easily releases it again. Before the sand is used, it needs to be thoroughly dried.

You can just leave the droppings. As well as the leaf litter. If there is a lot, you can easily scoop it up with a spoon and remove it. If there are eggs, you can also leave them.

When cleaning, you put droppings with eggs on a tray and can separate them quite easily. For example, you can use a tea strainer to quickly separate the sand from droppings and eggs. To then separate the eggs from the droppings. Inside, the windows are only cleaned with kitchen paper and a little warm water.

Jumping Spider - Phidippus regius Apalachicola

The spiders are sold at a stage between L3 and L7.
 

Information

The Apalachicola jumping spiders are found in the Southeastern United States. These spiders are known for their agility and active behavior. They grow to about 2 to 2.5 cm and can live for 1.5 years. These spiders do make a web, but they don't always use it to catch their prey, unlike other spiders. The Apalachicola hunts its prey, which is very entertaining to watch.

Did you know?
Apalachicola is a place in the American state of Florida, and it's presumed the spider was discovered there and named after this location.

Appearance

The color of the Apalachicola jumping spider is black with white, and the amount of black and white can vary per spider. The female spider is often brightly colored and has much less black on the cephalothorax than the males. The males are predominantly black with some white spots.

Behavior

Jumping spiders are true hunters. When offered a fly or cricket, they will quickly go hunting and catch their prey with a jump. They are active during the day, making them often clearly visible. At night, they sleep in a self-made cocoon or hide under a small plant.

Food

Adult regius spiders eat curly-winged flies, houseflies, crickets, or other small insects. A cricket that is not eaten must be removed from the enclosure, as it can disturb or even kill the spider during molting or sleep. Be aware of this. Young regius spiders eat fruit flies, curly-winged flies, or micro crickets. Regius spiders can handle prey as large as themselves. They drink from spray water; make sure it's fresh and not too cold.
We advise not to spray too much, as they prefer dryness. A few drops that they can access themselves are sufficient. And fruit flies are initially the best food source.
 

Environmental requirements

The enclosure for a jumping spider should be approximately 5x5x7cm with good ventilation. Eventually, a terrarium of 20x20x30cm can be suitable for adult spiders. The humidity should be between 40 and 70% with an ideal temperature of 26-28 degrees Celsius. It's important that the spider can drink something every few days (a droplet); much more is not necessary.
Heating can be done with a lamp; do not use a heating mat from below (due to the risk of dehydration). Placing the enclosure in a bright spot at room temperature is also possible, though they may be slightly less active.

Group housing

Jumping spiders cannot be housed together due to cannibalism.

Jumping Spider - Phidippus Ometepe

The spiders are sold at a stage between L3 and L7.
 

Information

Phidippus Ometepe is a jumping spider native to the island of Ometepe, Nicaragua. Like all jumping spiders, these animals are quite agile and enjoy being seen. Shortly before molting, they climb into their web and remain there until the process is complete. These animals are hunters and catch their food without problems. It is always a spectacle to watch them!

Appearance

The base color of the females is a shimmering metallic green. On the abdomen, it has an orange and black striped pattern. The males of this species have an inconspicuous black base color. In adulthood, this transitions more to grey. Their heads develop green/blue hues. A colorful species!

Behavior

Jumping spiders are true hunters. When offered a fly or cricket, they will quickly hunt and catch their prey with a leap. They are active during the day, making them often highly visible. At night, they sleep in a self-made cocoon or hide under a plant.

Food

Adult regius spiders eat curly-wing flies, houseflies, crickets, or other small insects. Any cricket that is not eaten must be removed from the enclosure, as it can disturb or even kill the spider during a molt or sleep. Be vigilant about this. Young regius spiders eat fruit flies, curly-wing flies, or micro crickets. Regius spiders can handle prey as large as themselves. They drink from the spray water; ensure it is fresh and not too cold.
We advise not to spray too much; they prefer dryness. A few drops that they can drink/collect themselves are sufficient. And fruit flies are initially the best food source.
 

Environmental Requirements

A jumping spider's enclosure should be approximately 5x5x7cm with good ventilation. Ultimately, a terrarium of 20x20x30cm may be suitable for adult spiders. Humidity should be between 40 and 70% with an ideal temperature of 26-28 degrees Celsius. It is important that the spider can drink something (a drop) every few days; much more is not needed.
Heating can be done with a lamp; do not use a heat mat from below (due to the risk of dehydration). Placing the enclosure in a bright spot at room temperature is also possible, though they may be somewhat less active.

Group Housing

Jumping spiders cannot be housed together due to cannibalism.

Jumping Spider - Phidippus regius Everglades

The stage at which the spiders are sold is between L2 and L5. The size ranges from a few millimeters to half a centimeter.
 

Information

Phidippus regius “Everglades” is a jumping spider from the Everglades National Park in Florida. Phidippus regius “Everglades” are, like all jumping spiders, quite agile and you will almost always see them. Just before molting, they climb into their web and remain there until the process is complete. The animals are hunters and catch their food without problems. It is always a spectacle to see them. Suitable food animals are fruit flies, houseflies, or small crickets. Anything not eaten within a day should be removed from the terrarium. We feed and water young spiders every 3 days and adult spiders once a week. Humidity should be 70% with good ventilation. We spray some water in a corner, this is sufficient and it is better to spray sparingly than too much. The animals absorb the water droplets as needed and thus quench their thirst.

Appearance

Female jumping spiders have a striking orange color on the thorax and abdomen. Male Phidippus regius “Everglades” are black and white and have green-metallic shimmering chelicerae. A colorful species!

Behavior

Jumping spiders are true hunters. When offered a fly or cricket, they will quickly go on the hunt and catch their prey with a jump. They are active during the day, making them often clearly visible. At night, they sleep in a self-made cocoon or hide under a small plant.

Food

Adult regius eat curly flies, houseflies, crickets, or other small insects. A cricket that is not eaten must be removed from the enclosure, as it can disturb or even kill the spider during a molt or sleep. Be alert to this. Young regius eat fruit flies, curly flies, or micro crickets. The regius can handle prey that is as large as themselves. They drink from the spray water; make sure it is fresh and not too cold.
We advise not to spray too much; they like dryness. A few drops that they can catch/get themselves are already sufficient. And fruit flies are initially the best food source.
 

Environmental Requirements

A jumping spider's enclosure should be approximately 5x5x7cm with good ventilation. Ultimately, a terrarium of 20x20x30 can be suitable for adult spiders. Humidity should be between 40 and 70% with an ideal temperature of 26-28 degrees Celsius. It is important that the spider can drink something (a drop) every few days; much more is not necessary.
Heating can be done with a small lamp; do not use a heating mat from below (due to the risk of dehydration). Placing the enclosure in a bright spot at room temperature is also possible, but this may make them less active.

Group Housing

Jumping spiders cannot be housed together due to cannibalism.

Fairy shrimp eggs

If you already have the necessities for breeding triops or sea monkeys (aqua dragons) and only need eggs, then you can also opt for Fairy shrimps. They are smaller than Triops and similar to Sea Monkeys. Not all eggs will hatch, and only the strongest will survive.

Instructions for breeding fairy shrimp

Prepare a container approximately 10 centimeters high with a capacity of about half a liter of spring water. This water should be heated to about 25 degrees Celsius, for example, by using a heat lamp. Bring a layer of about 5 to 8 centimeters of still spring water to this temperature, and then add the eggs. They will hatch 'on their own', isn't that wonderful?! After a few days, you can also feed them by grinding up and using triops food.

Aqua Dragons

A new world underwater. Add the eggs to the water and within 24 hours your new underwater creatures will hatch, isn't that wonderful! These aquatic animals reproduce themselves, both by laying eggs and by live birth, so with good care, you will enjoy them for a very long time!

Unique aquatic animals

The Aqua Dragons, also known as Sea Monkeys, are very special aquatic animals. They twirl and wriggle around in the water and can be observed well in the egg that is included.

Package contents

- The eggs that hatch after being added to water.
- Sufficient food for the first year.
- Spoon/scoop to accurately measure this food.
- Oxygen pipette.
- Habitat in the shape of an egg.
- English manual. The Dutch manual digitally.