If you’re here because you’re curious about keeping invertebrate pets for the first time, or you’re already keeping them and want to learn more, this guide is meant to be a great tool for those wanting to go into depth with the ins and outs of invert rearing and breeding using entomological knowledge to back it up. I intend for this guide to be accessible for absolute beginners.
I’m making this guide because invertebrate keeping is a rewarding but extremely niche and challenging hobby. Compared to mammals, reptiles, or even fish, a lot of detailed invert care lives in scattered forum posts, half-answers, or often relies on keepers to try and figure it out on their own. While the challenge can be fun, for many people, it can lead to burnout, colony crashes, wasted money, and feelings of failure. The hobby seems deceptively easy: "They're bugs, how hard can it be?" But let me tell you, caring for my cat is easier than some inverts...
This guide exists to give that framework from the ground up thoughtfully.
What this guide includes
Why keeping inverts is both a fun but important hobby
Basic entomology
Ethics when keeping/collecting/buying/selling
How to get pet inverts
Generalized care info but also species/taxon specific caresheets
And always more to come as I learn myself
Additional Information About the Guide
I try to keep my content original and from my personal experience. However, there will be times when I reference or build upon the work of others. When I do, I’ll make sure to credit as much as possible
I’m an animal care student with an education in environmental studies. I have hands-on experience rearing and breeding various invertebrates as my side income, but I am not a professional entomologist (as in someone who does any funded research). If there's something I said that's incorrect, feel free to contact me!
For the caresheets only will only write care content for species I have some level of personal care experience or knowledge. This means the guide will grow with me, but it also means that the info I'm giving is info I've put into practice.