My dd13 was getting ready to carry out the trash this morning and found a centipede hiding under the bag. We caught it and put it in a jar. So far, we have learned that they will sting, but it is pretty much like a bee sting and isn't dangerous (unless you are allergic). They eat mostly small insects and usually live under rocks or logs. We think we have a common striped centipede, but my dd13 is still double-checking. My dd5 is the most excited about it. He's carrying the jar around with him everywhere he goes and has named it. Not sure how long it's going to last if he keeps dropping the jar though.:lol:
There is just so much to learn about nature even in your own back yard. We had a lot of fun when we found two large snails. Other than doing research on your little critter, it is also educational to create a suitable environment for it. You can consider such factors as food, light, humidity, temperature, need for a hiding spot, social needs (I wonder if centipedes need company??), etc. After a lot of trial and error we learned that our snails liked to eat rice krispie squares, and we soon found that they had different personalities with one being shy and the other not scared about getting touched (but it was all slimy - eeww). They had a batch of babies, and eventually we let them all go at a local park in a nice humid spot.
Your snails actually had babies, bejs??? Wow! I'm new to all this, but these kinds of learning oppurtunities in everyday life really excite me! Tiffharmon, kudos to your 5 yr old that the critter is still alive!!
