Q. Are there any special instructions for unpacking my order during cold weather?
On receipt of your order it is very important to warm livestock slowly. The animals may be quite cold during transit, this will do them no harm providing that they are left at room temperature for an hour or so before being placed into their heated environment. They will have cooled down slowly and need to be warmed up slowly. Sudden changes of temperature may be harmful to cold blooded animals. During cold weather a heat pack will be included with all livestock.
Q. Can you post my order so I receive it on a Saturday?
A. Unfortunately I cannot arrange deliveries on a Saturday. Royal Mail Special Delivery does now deliver on a Saturday but they charge extra and 'if' it does not arrive your order will be held until Monday as there is no Sunday post.
Q. Do you have a specific species?
A. Stock changes continually but everything that I have is on my website. If in doubt please use the search box on my home page. If the item appears on my site, the search box will find it for you. Please use scientific names where possible as common names may change.
Q. Will you be getting a specific species soon?
A. Stock changes continually and I never know what is coming in next. It is really a case of keeping a look out on my site, as soon as I have an animal available it will appear on my web site. I never put anything on my site that I don't physically have here. I have learnt from years of experience that people promise faithfully to send things and for one reason or another they never arrive!
Q. Do you have a trade list?
A. I do not have a trade list but I always have special offers and bulk buy deals.
Q. Do you supply care sheets or information on specific animals?
A. I have some basic care sheets on my site but a Google search will generally provide plenty more information and photographs. Please use the Google search box on the main page of my web site.
Q. Can you sex tarantula spiders?
A. Many people are claiming to sex immature tarantulas, it is not an easy task, spiders can only be sexed by examining the moulted skin under a microscope. Pet shops rarely have a spider long enough for it to moult and even some dealers are claiming that their spiders are female when in reality they have no idea. I do not sex spiders or even know how to. Almost everyone wants females, including me! I can guarantee my spiders are well cared for and healthy.
Q. How do you measure your tarantula spiders?
I measure the body length, this is a far more accurate measurement than leg span. People often quote leg span sizes to me over the phone and then when the spider turns up it is tiny. I don’t know what these people are measuring but I don’t think they could reach that leg span if the spider was squashed with a hammer! I know that body length sounds much smaller but it is a reliable measurement and saves disappointment.
Q. What do you mean by Small, Medium and Large Tarantulas?
A. It is difficult to give a size for the spiders as stock is constantly changing. Generally the small size is a spiderling up to 2cm body length, medium 2cm to 4cm and a large is sub-adult to fully adult (but a lot depends on the species!)
If you would like me to measure the body length of any medium or large spider please send me an email.
Q. Can I have a male and female pair?
A. I will always do my best to send a male and female when possible. However, it is not always easy to tell the sexes apart, especially in the young. Sometimes I only have one sex available.
No guarantee can be given on the sex of any bug sold by me.
Q. What creatures can I keep in a communal tank?
A. It is not easy to set up a communal tank for invertebrates, however I have found that generally cockroaches, millipedes, fruit beetles and stick insects can be kept together quite happily.
Q. Can you identify this bug?
A. Probably not, but I know someone who can!
Click below for the Natural History Museum website.
http://www.nhm.ac.uk/science/enquiries.html
Q. Do you supply ants, or know anybody who does?
A. I do not supply ants but I know a man who can help Myrm@antnest.co.uk
Q. Can you take back unwanted livestock, for example, surplus stick insects or cockroaches?
A. Yes, I am usually happy to do this but please let me know in advance so that I know when to expect them.
Q. Do you sell moths & Butterflies?
A. No, I do not sell lepidoptera but you could try your local butterfly house as these often sell surplus stock.
Q. Which creepy crawlies are suitable to keep in the classroom?
A. I have found the most popular creepy crawlies kept in the classroom are stick insects, giant snails, and hissing cockroaches. They are easy to keep and most suitable for children.
Q. Do you hire out bugs?
A. No, but you are welcome to purchase the bugs and return them if you do not wish to keep them.
Q. Are you sure the scientific name is correct?
A. I can never be sure, I can only go by the name I am given when I obtain them.
Sorry I am no taxonomist.
Q. Do you visit schools with your bugs?
A. I no longer have the time for school visits, but I can recommend.
Martin Rapley www.thebugman.co.uk
Vic Taylor 020 8805 0745
Roger Swailes 01695 577532 (Lancashire area - Roger is a qualified teacher)
Andrew Smith 020 8690 0597
(Andrew is a qualified teacher running workshops in line with the National Curriculum)
Teresa French (Trixie's Minibeasts) 01444 247264 - West Sussex area
David Harris www.creepycrawlyclassroom.co.uk - Leicestershire, Rutland, Lincolnshire, Northants, Cambs areas
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These, I find, are the most commonly asked questions, I will add more as I am asked them or I think of them.
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