What arachnologist worth his salt could forget the arachnid with a two-foot legspan? The Order Amblypygi not only contains world record species, but also some of the most improbable and unbelievable looking members of the Class Arachnida. Otherwise known as whipspiders, these creatures appear to have been formed in the deep recesses of a human nightmare, and yet are the only large arachnids that are entirely harmless to humans. Predatory whipspiders display advanced social behaviors and externally visible reproductive biology of immense complexity. This text presents cutting edge biological details, supporting Scanning Electron Micrographs, and unparalleled captive reproduction information with photographic documentation.

Prepare to be enchanted with an in-depth and up-close view of the most loved of all invertebrates, the praying mantis Keeping the Praying Mantis is a huge resource designed to give mantis enthusiasts every tool needed for feeding, housing, and rearing these magical (almost mythological) creatures. Details on their biology, relationship with man over the ages, behavior, and captive husbandry will give you a solid foundation for successfully keeping fascinating species from around the world. From ant mimics and unicorn mantids to Devil's flower, orchid, and ghost mantids, there are species to entice every insect hobbyist.

The Ultimate Resource for the Beetle Enthusiast: Beetles fascinate hobbyists with their vivid colors and patterns, strange forms, and unusual behaviors. Some species are well-known to beetle breeders, but there are many others that have yet to be kept or bred by more than a handful of dedicated enthusiasts. Orin McMonigle provides detailed husbandry and breeding guides for a wide range of species, from the popular rhinoceros and stag beetles to darkling, diving, and dung beetles. This book is the result of years of experience and experimentation, with unprecedented details in caging, feeding, and environmental requirements for all stages of the beetles' lives. The breeding guides offer the best chance to form healthy ongoing colonies of these incredible creatures. This is the ultimate beetle book for hobbyists, breeders, nature museums, and insect zoos. Welcome to the world of beetles

Orin McMonigle, with contributions by the late Dr. Richard L. Hoffman, assembles the definitive resource guide with reproductive and developmental data for those spectacular terrestrial arthropods, the millipeds (or millipedes). Invertebrate hobbyists can successfully culture a number of colorful and gigantic diplopods by following specific methodologies outlined in this book. From the world's largest African giant millipeds to the most astoundingly colorful members of the Orders Polydesmida and Spirobolida, there are plenty of species to attract the beginning enthusiast or to challenge the advanced keeper.

Stories about sinister centipedes are legendary but behind the myths lie an important, valuable, and harmless group of invertebrate predators performing a vital service to ecosystems by helping to keep plant-eating pest populations in check. Orin McMonigle's Centipedes in Captivity details the five chilopod orders, highlighting the biggest and most beautiful species commonly kept in captivity. Those who want to learn more about these magnificent creatures, their toxicology, biology, and variety will find the accounts just as useful as those interested in containing, mating, and successfully reproducing the more spectacular centipedes in the laboratory, or at home.

There is a large arachnid that eats scorpions and sprays acid. This amazing arthropod apex predator is the most significant arthropod predator in its range and yet few humans could answer a single question about it. Most people are not even aware that vinegaroons (or whipscorpions) exist. Although fearless monsters to other microfauna, and not so micro fauna, the whipscorpion is without venom and can hardly even pinch a human. These details-reproductive biology with representative photos of each stage discussed, morphological explanations including descriptive scanning electron micrographs, full husbandry explanations, select species accounts, and prey considerations-are presented here to bring light to every aspect of this heretofore forgotten arachnid order. This is the first book ever devoted to the order of the vinegaroons and the only full-length treatment of this order in the history of the written word. Never again should the vinegaroons be forgotten.

The pillbug and its relatives are beloved the world over by children-in this text they get their due for adults. Spectacular cultivars and amazing species represent an often forgotten group of backyard arthropods. In recent years the beautiful peach pillbug, zebra armadillo-bug, and Dalmatian isopod, among others, have burst on the scene in a growing hobby. Their use as feeders for herps and invertebrates combined with spectacular clean-up crew attributes for terrariums and paludariums may be the main assets of the isopod, but after learning about these spectacular beauties, their simple husbandry, and historical cultivation, the child inside may fall in love again.

There are a wide range of insects, arachnids, and other invertebrate species that can be maintained and exhibited alive for the public or small groups. Orin McMonigle has displayed numerous invertebrates since the early '90s, and offers a wealth of experience and practical advice in this book for those who would like to incorporate these spineless wonders into their displays. Husbandry, display, and breeding advice is accompanied by numerous full color images of these species in various stages of their life cycles. This is a fascinating book for teachers, small museums, or even the casual pet lover who would like to add some interesting inverts to their collection.