Tylomelania sp. (Sulawesi Elephant Snail)

Tylomelania sp. (Sulawesi Elephant Snail)
Originally uploaded by edwbaker

I got these about a week ago. They aren't as amazing as some of the yellow-bodied species but are still pretty interesting. I have yet to create a setup where they can be photographed underwater - but when I do I will post some pictures.

If anybody has any of this, or other species to spare please get in touch. I am very interested in keeping and breeding other species.

Jellyfish in Scotland

It seems that the effect of an unusually warm sea temperature is to create large numbers of giant jellyfish. I don't see how that could possibly get blown out of all proportion if the News of the World got hold of it. Instead here's a rather sedate piece from The Telegraph.

Piglet Squid

This is one of my favorite marine invertebrates, and it's quite unusual to get photographs of it.

The photo was published in MailOnline.

Byrsotria fumigata male

Byrsotria fumigata male
Originally uploaded by edwbaker

I have a few blaberid nymphs that I found in a cage in which I now rear Peruphasma schultei. I assumed they were a Blaberus sp. that I had kept there recently, however it seems they are of Byrsotria fumigata. If a female turns adult I will post more photos.

Abbey Hill Steam Rally

BugFest organiser Nick Wadham and the Phasmid Study Group's Cameron Die Köinign at the Abbey Hill Steam Rally.

Princisia vanwaerebeki

Princisia vanwaerebeki
Originally uploaded by edwbaker

This is a commonly kept species in culture that originally comes from Madagascar. They are perhaps best known for their ability to make a loud hissing sound by forcefully expelling air through modified spiracles.

In case you are wondering this one is on top of it's food bowl and is reared mainly on premium dry cat food, supplemented with fresh fruit and vegetables.

Phasmids: The Great Pretenders

Here it is finally, my Nature Live on stick and leaf insects.

Phasmids: The Great Pretenders from Ed Baker on Vimeo.

Nature Live

You may remember that I did a Nature Live event at the Natural History Museum back in May. Well, if all goes to plan I should have the DVD of it on Friday so I can upload it over the weekend. The title was 'The Great Pretenders' and the subject was the phsmida - stick and leaf insects.

Nature Blog Network

Since the last time I mentioned the Nature Blog Network we have shot up to number 13 in the invertebrates category. Thank you all for your support!

Nauphoeta cinerea

Nauphoeta cinerea
Originally uploaded by edwbaker

Commonly known as the "Lobster Roach" Nauphoeta cinerea is a mid-sized Blaberid widely used as food for those interested in keeping predatory insects, reptiles, etc.

This species is fast breeding, and colonies can increase in population very rapidly.

More cockroach posts coming up!

As usual click on the photo to see more of my photographs of this species on Flickr.