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Pet insects and spiders might not be to everyone's taste when it comes to choosing pets but they can bring a lot of fun and enjoyment. They are not cute and cuddly like a dog or cat, but they can be educational to a child.

And most insects and spiders are very clean and quiet and do not require a lot of social interaction. They do, though, require the same commitment to feeding, care and maintenance as a more traditional pet. For example, some tarantulas live for up to thirty years, so be aware of that before choosing one.

For a beginner, hissing cockroaches or a tarantula might be a good choice. Go for something that is not venomous or delicate. Leaf insects and stick insects are popular but they are quite fragile.

Before buying anything, you need to find out the local laws about keeping your exotic pet. You also need to find out what its diet, housing and special requirements are. You need to know how to handle your pet. Some insects are quite hardy but others are delicate and a young child could damage them without realizing. Find out if your choice of pet is venomous, how to handle it to avoid being bitten or stung and what to do if that does happen.

Some spiders and insects require special feeding. Hissing cockroaches are easy to feed, preferring fruit and vegetables, but tarantulas need special prey. Leaf and stick insects like fresh vegetation. An ant farm might be a good idea if you want something simple to care for. The ant farm only needs feeding once a week with a little piece of sugary bread and it can be educational for children.

A tarantula makes an interesting pet. Remember they can die from a short fall because their abdomen is delicate. They are venomous, some types more than others, but being stung is comparable to a bee sting (unless you are allergic).

Scorpions are interesting, too, and there are several varieties. Scorpions do not like being handled and they might sting. When handled, they become stressed and this is not good for their health. Scorpions live up to eight years. If you want a pet you can handle, a scorpion probably is not the right choice.

If you really want a spider or insect as a pet, there is plenty of choice. Make sure, before buying one, that you know everything about their requirements and do as much research as possible to make sure the insect or spider is the right choice for you.