Introduction to Bug Keeping

Bug keeping is an incredibly fascinating and low-maintenance branch of animal care, perfect for beginners, hobbyists, and anyone who loves observing small natural systems up close. Invertebrates offer a mix of simplicity and complexity—many require minimal daily upkeep, yet their behaviours, life cycles, and environmental roles are endlessly interesting. This section of the blog will give you an overview of the different groups of bugs you can keep, what you can expect from them, and what topics we’ll be covering in future guides and posts.

Here’s a quick overview of the first invertebrate groups we’ll be talking about in this blog section:

Phasmids (Stick & Leaf Insects)

A beginner-friendly option found widely throughout Australia. These gentle, slow-moving insects are easy to keep, handle, and observe. We’ll be exploring common species, basic setup needs, and variations in behaviour and appearance.

Springtails

Microscopic “clean-up crew” insects used in bioactive enclosures. Great for reptile and amphibian keepers, or anyone wanting a self-cleaning micro-ecosystem. Future posts will cover culturing methods, enclosure use, and troubleshooting mould or die-offs.

Isopods

Tiny land crustaceans that range from basic greys to high-end morphs. Used both as pets and as bioactive cleaners. We’ll look at different species, ideal environments, and how they fit into a naturalistic setup.

These summaries are only introductions—not full care guides—just enough to help you understand what each type of invertebrate offers and where they fit into the hobby.

Conclusion

This introduction sets the stage for everything coming in the bug section: overview posts, care fundamentals, breeding information, and practical uses for invertebrates in reptile and amphibian environments. As the series grows, we’ll also explore bioactive terrariums, feeder culture tips, troubleshooting common issues, and eventually introduce more species we plan to keep and offer in the future—such as spiders and possibly scorpions.

Check back regularly as new guides are added, and follow along for more updates as this part of the blog continues to expand.