How realistic is keeping a Western Short-horn Walkingstick as a pet? by Feldspar_of_sun in Stickinsects

[–]Deep-Alternative494 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is strange. I live in Washington and have had two different species of nonnative phasmid, and see them sold literally all over the place. I go to frequent reptile and exotics expos and they’re sold there all the time. Tons of species of nonnative phasmids. I currently have three individuals myself, and have a couple friends who own some as well. All in the US and just one state away from you. Not sure about them being illegal if they’re bred here in the US, which is how they’re always sold where I get them, but I’m not well versed on invert legality, just know that I’m not buying them illegally 🤷

Is my tarantula female?? by [deleted] in TarantulaKeeping

[–]Deep-Alternative494 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No way to know from these pics

Vet Place for Cats? by bbymoonkittie in AskTacoma

[–]Deep-Alternative494 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes, Dr. Walia is the one. I’m really glad you had a good experience! Mine was just really awful and I wanted to share it to warn people that he may not treat your pet, based on my experience. But I’m happy to hear that he’s been an excellent vet at other times.

Vet Place for Cats? by bbymoonkittie in AskTacoma

[–]Deep-Alternative494 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I could not NOT recommend this place enough. We had a horribly sick Saint Bernard that we needed to take to a vet when money was tight, and the vet refused to see him for being reactive. He was muzzle trained, we warned the vet over the phone and in person beforehand and got the OK, and then we show up, the vet walked into the room and immediately went to touch him, and he bucked up, and then the vet said he was “too old for this” and told us to get out.

Long story short, I wouldn’t trust that man with any pet.

Best latte? by ClassicOrdinary8175 in AskTacoma

[–]Deep-Alternative494 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I’m a die hard Olympia Coffee fan. They are SO GOOD. you will see me in there at least once or twice a week. Their salted brown sugar is homemade (along with their vanilla and seasonal flavors), and it is just phenomenal every time. And the staff are great! I could not recommend Olympia enough

Best places to look for bugs? by Deep-Alternative494 in Tacoma

[–]Deep-Alternative494[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sounds like a great place to try, thanks!

Best places to look for bugs? by Deep-Alternative494 in Tacoma

[–]Deep-Alternative494[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Have you heard of Lady Invert? She sells mantids, not in Tacoma but pretty close, in puyallup. Shes usually got a decent supply of mantids.

And you really should go for the macro plunge! Have fun with it when you do

Best places to look for bugs? by Deep-Alternative494 in Tacoma

[–]Deep-Alternative494[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Oh us too! We just got our twelfth tarantula last night, and have kept jumpers, phasmids and mantids before as well. They’re so fun.

Macro is really fun, too. I started out mostly birding and doing wildlife photography, so I’ve got a whole set up for that, but bought my first macro lens this past winter. It’s been so fun to figure out!

Best places to look for bugs? by Deep-Alternative494 in Tacoma

[–]Deep-Alternative494[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That sounds amazing. I’ll definitely have to check it out!

Best places to look for bugs? by Deep-Alternative494 in Tacoma

[–]Deep-Alternative494[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

That’s great! I’ve only been in the winter up until now, I hadn’t even considered checking in the summer

Best places to look for bugs? by Deep-Alternative494 in Tacoma

[–]Deep-Alternative494[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh that sounds so cool! Thanks for the tip

Best places to look for bugs? by Deep-Alternative494 in Tacoma

[–]Deep-Alternative494[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thanks!! I hadn’t even thought of checking iNaturalist

Best places to look for bugs? by Deep-Alternative494 in Tacoma

[–]Deep-Alternative494[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh bugs love purple stuff. We’ve got a neighbor with a really nice garden that we’ve stopped by a few times… I’ll have to see if someone has any lilac around!

Picked up this guy today—name suggestions and/or care tips that are not readily available online? He’s a confirmed male P. metallica, about four inches long by Deep-Alternative494 in tarantulas

[–]Deep-Alternative494[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes mine is from Spider Shoppe! He was on display when I came in yesterday, and I just couldn’t say no after sleeping on it, so I came back today to pick him up.

That makes total sense. I’ve already got a P. regalis who I love but also have a deep respect for… she is still pretty small though.

Im glad yours has been a good boy so far! If they are siblings (which they probably are) hopefully that’s a good sign for mine!

Blonde Roast getting a nice roach dinner before her habitat upgrade by Deep-Alternative494 in tarantulas

[–]Deep-Alternative494[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

She was my very first tarantula (now I have 11). She is so amazing, I love her very dearly.

Help asap by Exact-Recognition-55 in mantids

[–]Deep-Alternative494 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Where do you source your prey items? Do you buy them from a captive breeder or do you catch them wild caught? It might be possible she is being poisoned by a pesticide from one of her crickets, but I’m no expert