NBGwen":1xckumke said:Bwahahaha...have I mentioned I have MS and get brain fog? I totally forgot you are in Australia and for some reason thought you were in the US :shock: Soo sorry!
Yes, Australia, I believe, has one of the most stringent import/export laws around (if not the most). It makes complete sense all things considered (the giant hallucinogenic toads come to mind - can't think of their name off hand :? ). <<< Cane toads, a worse pest and much more invasive and devastating than the insects they were brought in to control..
http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/invasive-species/publications/factsheet-cane-toad-bufo-marinus
.. they are a scourge in QLD and the NT and I hear have even invaded far north WA ,and the scary for me thing is they have been found as far south as Sydney which means they are definitely in my area (north coast of NSW , I wasn't aware they were in my area til now).
.
They have glands on their backs that exude a toxin that if lethal to animals who eat them, in some areas, native mini-predators marcupial and predatory reptiles have been either completely wiped out or at best decimated as a result, some to the point of near extinction.
Canada and the US are far more lax, but our eco systems aren't nearly as fragile or unique.
Glad to hear she is growing so well! She's definitely at the top of the growth scales for sure. I couldn't imagine getting into breeding...I've always advocated for rescue animals. I totally admit to purchasing Charlie though. I am glad I did.
NBGwen":363jmt8p said:oh no...I hope you never run into them, especially with your babies!
I remember one of my professors talking about the Cane Toads in university. Humanities ability to do stupid things never ceases to amaze me. Even in NA we have invasive species that were brought over to 'help'. Actually, technically cats are. I love my cats, but mine are indoors only. Domestic cats murder millions of birds every year (not including rodents/small prey). Asiatic carp is whipping out many fish species, wreaking havoc on the eco-systems. There is a plant species here too that is invasive/imported...I can't for the life of me remember what it's called, but it causes a lot of grief.
I can't let Charlie out alone as I live in the countryside - bald eagles, hawks, raccoons, foxes, etc are very common around my area. When my youngest son was about a year old, we had two bald eagles circling above us in ever lower circles...it took us a few minutes to realise they were circling our toddler and not our little dog!!! So, yes, Charlie never goes out unaccompanied (neither does my youngest as he's still a very tiny boy).
NBGwen":3c271j4z said:
That's awful! I actually feel bad for your neighbours dogs, that's not much of a lifeWe're fortunate in that our neighbours are awesome...and on one side they are actually my parents LOL! They have one very elderly dog who once in a while 'visits' us (it's hard to tell where our yard ends and theirs begins). The neighbours across from us each have 1 dog (two different homes) and are always out with them. So, domestic animal wise, we're in a good spot. I've the most pets in my 'area' It's my indoor cats and the wild critters I need to watch out for. I usually take Charlie out on our deck on a nice day - I want to try him on our lawn sometime soon, but I have a leash to ensure he's always close by. I wish I could build an outdoor enclosure for him for on the nice days but I'd be worried something would get in it (the raccoons are way too smart...).
NBGwen":lyo0g7ti said:She's sooo pretty! I suddenly feel so stunned. I still have my youngest son's baby tub - never thought to use it for my beardies! What a great idea!
<<< as my Tech Officer used to say when I did something cleavour but oh so obvious and simple, "that's why I'm a gingerbeer" cockney for engineer.
Sounds like getting insects your way is a big pain! I'm fortunate to have a few places to get them around here, so if one shop is out, the other will probably have some.
NBGwen":2vv12w8w said:LOL - I saw the gingerbeer and my brain read gingerhead...I soooo need sleep.
I sometimes do mail order, but it's iffy. And the postage in Canada almost makes it not worth it (when I buy $30 of insects, I'd rather not pay $30 postage!). Ah well. The local Petsmart is decent enough, so far I've had no issues with them BUT their hornworms are pricey and I keep asking them to get silks in, but it probably won't happen. I have a smallish house. Raising said insects is just not an option (especially with a really busy 3 year old in the house).
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