Hissing cockroaches as pets?

[Android raptor]

As some of y'all know, I want a snake. Badly. Unfortunatly, I'm not in the situtation right now to be buying one, plus my Dad (who I'm going to live with) is kinnda' iffy on the mouse thing. So I stumbled across something else: hissing cockroaches. I know what you're thinking; ewwwwwwww gross! She wants cockroaches as PETS?! Well, I've always loved insects, and apparently, these are pretty low-mantainence, CLEAN, and easy. Plus I've had hermit crabs before and they sound alot alike (with the level of care and all). The only problem? I have yet to run it by my family (my sister will freak), plus I have no idea where to buy them. Any idea/comments/etc?

[Sakura15]

*shudders* cockroaches.

I dunno where you could get them at though...have you checked different pet stores?

[Nate]

Most pet stores I've seen carry hissing cockroaches, so they're not exactly rare, although some may not have them because they're not in the greatest of demand. They do make good pets, though, from what I've heard.

[Android raptor]

Eh, I probably should. But I'd have to run it by my family. Maybe for my birthday...

[White Raven]

Humm have you thought of a tarantula?

My sister had bad arachnophobia so she got a tarantula as a pet. (she hoped it would help her fear)

It worked, she is much better about spiders now.

I have had many pet (house spiders),.
I would keep them for about a year and then let them go.

I think they make very interesting pets.

As for roaches. I don’t think I would want any.
But they might be cool.

[TriezGamer]

Humm have you thought of a tarantula?

My sister had bad arachnophobia so she got a tarantula as a pet. (she hoped it would help her fear)

Firstly, I think your sister is nuts, and secondly, arachnophobia is, by definition, an irrational fear -- I have a hard time believing someone truly arachnophobic would buy a pet spider.

Still, I have mad respect for someone who buys something they fear in an attempt to get used to it.

[Bap]

I wonder what one would name a pet insect? xD

"Come here Fluffy~"

[FadedOne]

<.< @ White Raven. pet spiders???!!!!! *nervous squeak* *turns pale* *dies*

yeah, I have arachnophobia. and i have NO interest in curing it.

hmm...hissing cockroach? Guess it could be worse. I dont think they're as ugly as some people do. Then again, minus spiders, bugs & I get along pretty well. peaceful coexistance & all that. unless i squash them.

sidethought: wouldn't you worry that someone would step on Herman?(or whatever you called the little bugger)

*crunch*

androidraptor: NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

[Nate]

arachnophobia is, by definition, an irrational fear

*psychology student steps in*

Actually, by definition, all phobias are irrational, and it can be proven that they are all irrational. For example, our professor knew a woman who had a severe phobia of elevators. When visiting her grandchildren one day, she waved to them as they got on an elevator.

Now let's think. This woman truly loved her grandchildren, and would never want them to be in any danger. If she TRULY believed elevators were dangerous, she never would have let her grandchildren get on one.

At any rate, the best way to cure a phobia is, of course, limited exposure to the creature or environment. If she was arachnophobic and wished to rid herself of the fear, a pet spider is the perfect way to do it, so I fully believe the story, because it makes sense. Now, I'm sure she didn't pick up the spider and let it crawl all over her the first day, but being near it in a cage little by little certainly must have helped, to the point where she felt she could touch it, then she could pick it up, then she could let it crawl on her. The process probably took weeks (or months), but I'm sure this is what happened.

[Android raptor]

Yeah, and actually, my sister wanted a tarantula for Christmas when she was six. Never got it . Plus they are expensive from what I've seen, and require a lamp. The cockroaches, however, seem pretty low-maintainence (like aforementioned hermit crabs). Though I don't want them to breed because I wouldn't know what to do with the babies (they have alot), so I guess if I get some I should just get a few females (because males can get aggressive towards each other I've learned).

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

I think praying mantises would make a good pet. They are awesome! Easily available here, but maybe you don't have them in the US?

[Linksquest]

The idea scared me... and they will be making noises!?!? I think you would have to research just how often they "hiss" and if they do so in the night. That might bother your parents. If you do get them, you'll have to post pics!

[Android raptor]

Eh, praying mantises are actually endangered in some places here (or so I'm told). Plus I think they only live a few months, while as the roaches can live up to two years. You just have to get past the fact that they're *cockroaches* and I think they'd be pretty easy and good. After all, they're not dirty like the common ones, they don't smell (supposedly), and they don't bite. Some websites even said that they're good for children (guess to teach them about responsibility).

[Radical Dreamer]

o_o *has a worse phobia of cockroaches than she does of spiders...and that's saying something* Uhhhm...I certainly wouldn't keep them as pets, but...if they don't carry disease or anything (don't normal roaches carry disease?), and if your dad is cool with it...go for it! n_n;

[Naga Kisaki]

I think Hissing Cockroaches are a great idea for a pet. Like it was said, Cockroaches don't bite humans (unless their dead; they will bite dead humans, so just don't die and your cockroach won't bite you) and you could carry it around on your shoulder. They're easy to feed, they'll eat anything (though I think I read somewhere that they LOVE the glue off the back of stamps) and all in all I say go for it.

[Sakura15]

I think praying mantises would make a good pet. They are awesome! Easily available here, but maybe you don't have them in the US?

Yes those are awesome. They arent for sale here though, last I checked they were endangered or something, and it's like illegal to keep them. *shrugs* But they are cool.

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

Well I haven't seen them for sale here. But I see them sometimes in our garden, so they are 'a pet' of sorts. Stick insects are also great.

[Sakura15]

Yeah, we've had them in our garden as well. Stick bugs are pretty cool too ^^

[Android raptor]

Hmm, I remember we had stick insects as a class pet in my kindergarden class! We would feed them blackberry leaves, I think. And no, the hissing roaches don't eat glue or anything weird like the common ones do. You're supposed to feed them dog food (or something similar, like mouse food) and fruit. I've been doing some research, and apparently they can be picky about greens...

[Alice]

I think they're really cute....

Of course, I'd also like a pet rat! *has enough pets already, though*

[Nate]

Of course, I'd also like a pet rat!

Off topic: I haven't seen you in like, a million years, Alice. Nice to see you back. XP

On topic: Rats are AWESOME pets! They're cute and smart, and can learn to do tricks!

[Heart of Sword]

Awww, a hissing cockroach sounds cool!

Most pet stores have them!

(I love all animals, as long as they don't bite/sting me. XD)

By the way, rats are great.

[Raiden no Kishi]

o_O I would say no ~ what if the thing got out? Yikes. : : shudders : :

But if you want to, go for it. That's just me. I'd recommend a kitty myself. A chameleon [I know I spelled that wrong, I just KNOW it] would also be wicked cool.

.rai//

[Agent Anderson]

[Android raptor]

o_O I would say no ~ what if the thing got out? Yikes. : : shudders : :

But if you want to, go for it. That's just me. I'd recommend a kitty myself. A chameleon [I know I spelled that wrong, I just KNOW it] would also be wicked cool.

.rai//

I already have a GIGANTIC cat, so I don't need another kitty (he wouldn't get along with it). And lizards in general are quite hard to care from, from what I hear. But yeah, I'm going to refrain from even asking about new pets until we get situated.

[desperado]

Your somewhat right andriod raptor. There are three species that are easy to care for and pretty good pets, fat tailed gecko, leopard gecko, and bearded dragon. These three make excellent pets (more so the geckoes) live insanely long times (i have a leapord gecko and they live around 5 years).

All my lizard needs is vitamin powder in his fooddish, mealworms once a week water and aclean cage.

[Heart of Sword]

Yeah but most geckoes are super-hyper. I've held one and it was like a living bullet.

[Angel37]

Well *I* have a fish. And my fish is pretty. And I *HATE* cockroaches. But, hey...if you like them....get them...just never invite me to sleep over. XD

[Eastkun]

Hmm... maybe they would be a good snack. o.o Really cockroaches give me the creeps though.

[desperado]

Some are some are not. Comes down to an individual lizards personality. Mine is rather layed back and doesnt get to active until he is handled for a long time. Others fall under the living bullet category.

Though the fat tailed and leopard geckos are known for being excellent pets and if taken care of good will not be frightened by you, and therefore not living bullets.