We have had two new arrivals this week.
First of all we have been donated a new tarantula that's a little
bit special. It is a Swimming tarantula Hysterocrates gigas one of the
few species of tarantula that will hunt for fish by actually entering water to
ambush them. They usually sit at the edge of a water source used by fish with
their front legs resting on the water surface feeling for vibrations.
Once located H. gigas will lunge forward into the water, grab the
unsuspecting fish and drag it out for safe consumption. The first thing our one
did when we placed it into its enclosure was to run straight for the water, dive
in and remain there submerged for some time. My good friend and colleague Carl
Portman pointed out "... Of course, all tarantulas can swim. Begs the question
though H. gigas are obligated burrowers, many near termite mounds,
nowhere near water. Why then would it need to evolve to swim? Flooding
perhaps!"
Secondly We have a new male Green iguana Iguana iguana (even
though he is actually orange-red) donated from a local pet shop where he used to
be kept together with a female. About a year ago a fight broke out in their
enclosure and the female decided to bite the end off his tail giving him his
name - Stumpy. Anyway Stumpy is settling in well and is now getting along fine
with our large female iguana Princess. Stumpy's original owner decided it would
be nice to retire him into our butterfly flight area and allow him the freedom
of the semi wild display in his old age.
We agree and I think so does Stumpy as
one his new favorite pastimes is to swim about the pools, something large
lizards can rarely do when kept as pets. Stumpy is now one of four green iguanas
that live loose in our flight area which they share with a variety of tropical
birds, insects and Koi carp.
Its a good thing iguanas eat fruit and veg and not butterflies!!
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