This could go several ways. Have to give a shout out to Tropical Phasmids/Stick Insects. Let's see how can we fit them in here. Not new to the Biological world, but many can reproduce in a parthenogenetic fashion. Hatching ova out is really not that difficult, but not for the impatient. Hetereropteryx dilatata, the Malaysian Jungle Nymph from the highlands of western Malaysia is only one of 3 Insects in the world to weigh more than 50 grams (females, males much, much smaller). Have had Educators walk by me and ask me where they could get the plastic Insects I had on display? Funny, but true. When I then showed that they were real and alive, they almost passed out. Also, they have kind of a swagger that makes it look like they are blowing in the wind with surrounding vegetation. Certainly a survival mechanism.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2S5wN0ttTnU My real point here about amazing, it takes ~1 year for the ova to hatch. What you have to do in the mean time, temp, humidity, clean sand, an anti-fungal agent is another part of the story. Reminds me of that scene from Scilence of the Lambs...."somebody must have really loved this guy, etc., etc." (museum Entomologist talking to FBI agent Clarice Starling about the Death's Head Moth pupa found in the throat of a victim). If you can hatch this Insect out, well it's a pretty darn good accomplishment. I think you might be ready for another pet, like a Dog or something. Thank you. Mike Nolan ---------- If we are on another line or away from the phone, please leave your number, best time to return your call and your e-mail address. After hours and weekend phone appointments are available upon request. Sincerely, J. Michael Nolan, Director Rainforest and Reef ****************************************************************************************** "Outstanding-Affordable Field Courses in Rainforest & Marine Ecology" Destinations and Field Courses that we Specialize in: North America....Alaska (Southeast and the Interior), Hawaii, British Columbia, the Florida Keys and Everglades National Park Caribbean....The Islands of Curacao and Dominica Central America....Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panamá South America....Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador and The Galápagos Islands and Péru Mexico....The Baja Peninsula (especially during the Spring Whale Migration and Breeding season) East Africa....Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar Island Australia and New Zealand Birding, Photography, Botanical Garden Tours are available upon request to most Destinations that we offer. The following "Research Expeditions" are now also available upon request...Endangered Species of Brazil; Macaws and Primates of the Peruvian Amazon (Tambopata-Candamo Reserve Zone) and Endangered Sea Turtles of Costa Rica (widecast.org). Spanish/Cultural Immersion Programs are available in Costa Rica, Panamá, Ecuador, Perú, Bolivia and Spain. Sea Kayaking is available in British Columbia, Southeast Alaska, Baja Mexico, Belize and The Galápagos Islands. References/Comments from past Group Leaders and Individual Participants can be found at our Website (http://rainforestandreef.org/comments.htm), many more are available upon request. Rainforest and Reef 161 Main St. Coopersville, MI 49404 Local/International Phone: 1.616.604.0546 Toll Free U.S. and Canada: 1.877.255.3721 Fax: 1.616.604.0546 Google Talk/MS IM/Skype: travelwithrandr AOL IM: buddythemacaw E-mail: [email protected] and [email protected] Note: Please send inquiries to both e-mail addresses Web: http://rainforestandreef.org (under revision for 2013 and beyond) ******************************************************************************************
