Top 5 arthropods that would have been a better choice than the wandering spider
Everyone says it and so will I; do we really need four spiders, one of which has almost never been kept in captivity? Now, don't get me wrong; the other three can stay (even though the Mexican red-kneed tarantula should be in a desert terrarium, not a rainforest one), but I believe there isn't much use at all for the wandering spider. So, without further ado, here are 5 other arthropods that could take its place:
5- Blue stick insect (Achrioptera manga): this beautiful bright blue stick insect from Madagascar could make for a beautiful exhibit insect with very large numbers. It could be a bit too similar to the leaf insect to some, but I feel that it's distinct enough.
4- Giant African millipede (Archispirostreptus gigas): again, some may draw comparisons to the Amazonian giant centipede, but I feel that the giant African millipede is different enough, aesthetically, ecologically and geographically. Plus, it would bump up the miriapod count to two, which is always a good thing.
3- Hercules beetle (Dynastes hercules): A classic giant South American beetle, the beautiful colour and horns of this insect make it stand out in the sea of beetle species. Now you may be thinking that the titan beetle already takes its spot as a giant South American beetle… don't worry, we'll get to that species soon enough.
2- Orchid mantis (Hymenopus coronatus): one of the prettiest, yet deadliest insects (to other insects, of course) in Southeast Asia, the orchid mantis has been a staple of insect houses for a long time, and it would be a wonderful addition to your very own in Planet Zoo.
1- Another tie! blue morpho (Morpho peleides), European peacock (Aglais io) and monarch (Danaus plexippus) butterflies: butterflies are perhaps the world's most beloved insects, often symbolizing love, springtime and other mushy, positive stuff. Hence, I believe they should be part of the Planet Zoo. I mean come on; if they were introduced as pretty glowing statues in the South American pack, why the heck aren't they actual animals yet?! Get with it, Frontier!
Everyone says it and so will I; do we really need four spiders, one of which has almost never been kept in captivity? Now, don't get me wrong; the other three can stay (even though the Mexican red-kneed tarantula should be in a desert terrarium, not a rainforest one), but I believe there isn't much use at all for the wandering spider. So, without further ado, here are 5 other arthropods that could take its place:
5- Blue stick insect (Achrioptera manga): this beautiful bright blue stick insect from Madagascar could make for a beautiful exhibit insect with very large numbers. It could be a bit too similar to the leaf insect to some, but I feel that it's distinct enough.
4- Giant African millipede (Archispirostreptus gigas): again, some may draw comparisons to the Amazonian giant centipede, but I feel that the giant African millipede is different enough, aesthetically, ecologically and geographically. Plus, it would bump up the miriapod count to two, which is always a good thing.
3- Hercules beetle (Dynastes hercules): A classic giant South American beetle, the beautiful colour and horns of this insect make it stand out in the sea of beetle species. Now you may be thinking that the titan beetle already takes its spot as a giant South American beetle… don't worry, we'll get to that species soon enough.
2- Orchid mantis (Hymenopus coronatus): one of the prettiest, yet deadliest insects (to other insects, of course) in Southeast Asia, the orchid mantis has been a staple of insect houses for a long time, and it would be a wonderful addition to your very own in Planet Zoo.
1- Another tie! blue morpho (Morpho peleides), European peacock (Aglais io) and monarch (Danaus plexippus) butterflies: butterflies are perhaps the world's most beloved insects, often symbolizing love, springtime and other mushy, positive stuff. Hence, I believe they should be part of the Planet Zoo. I mean come on; if they were introduced as pretty glowing statues in the South American pack, why the heck aren't they actual animals yet?! Get with it, Frontier!