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Strange Pets!

I have been finding the trivia page of the Gleaner carrying some interesting stories and they have prompted some of my posts recently. I have no shame in telling you that I am no fountain of information. It can prove quite tedious to post about something so regularly, that will be of interest to readers and of course, the part I like, result in stimulating comments.

It is Saturday morning, and though I am on call and have to go in to see the patients, I don’t usually ‘bruck mi neck” (rush) to work on weekends. I adopt a slightly more laid back approach, hell, doctors treasure their weekends too! In any case, I already called the ward and the Nurse In Charge indicated that ‘nobody naw dead up deh’, (none of the patients were dying), in other words, things seem OK. So, here I am putting my priorities first, and making a post! I will get to the hospital in good time.

The little story that caught my eye is from Bangkok, Thailand. No, it is not about their ‘massage’ services either. Sorry. Would any of you consider COCKROACHES as pets? I think it quite gross.

The Thai government is cautioning people against raising giant African cockroaches as pets, saying that they could prove health risks. Apparently some enterprising businessman has imported into Thailand, large Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches from Africa and is selling them as pets. The cost, 50 baht (US $1.19) each. They are available in markets to the public. The roach is so called because of the hissing sound it makes when mating.

Authorities are concerned that they are unhygienic. It is known that they carry viruses and bacteria on their bodies, but it is not proven that roaches transmit disease. Roaches feed on just about any kind of food that is available. When feeding, they spit and crap on whatever it is they are consuming. Some people are known to be allergic to the droppings. Yuck!

The Public Health Ministry there is also worried about the high reproductive capabilities of these creatures, they can produce anywhere from 40 to 60 youngsters in a 60 day gestation period.

These insects get to quite a dramatic size, reaching 6.35 cm (2.5 inches) in length. We here in Jamaica, have a fairly large roach called the ‘Drummer Roach’ (not sure why it is called that, any of you who know, please feel free to enlighten me) and I hate them. The article goes on to mention that the world’s largest roaches, which are from South America, grows to 15.2 cm (6 inches) with a wing span of 30 cm (12 inches!), some monster. I think I’d have to call the
exterminator. I can’t understand how anyone could consider a roach a suitable pet, as far as I’m concerned, they are pests! Where is the Baygon? Talk again later if I find something to ‘beat my gums about.’ Have a good weekend.

This entry was posted on Saturday, August 24th, 2002 at 9:08 am and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

8 Responses to “Strange Pets!”

  1. Shelli Says:
    August 24th, 2002 at 10:42 am grrrrr-o-o-sss, I am so glad I only have to battle ants coming into my home and around here in general. When I see a roach it is something out of a movie. I do get up on chairs and tables and scream, squeal. Will not be able to sleep until that roach is dead. I have the willies now.
  2. Rufie Says:
    August 24th, 2002 at 12:10 pm Here we go again! Does common sense not apply to the people in Thailand? Someone please make a suggestion of a dog, cat or tropical fish as a much healthier, safer and cleaner pet (by comparison anyway!) Have they never heard of disease - yuck! When I think of roaches (in any form), I think of things like ticks, mites, rodents and lyme disease and anything even remotely associated; sufferation and epidemics. As for the the reasoning behind the name ‘drummer roach,’ I’ll have to relate a story for clarity! When I was attending prep school, our Mother (God rest her beautiful soul) used to pick me up and take me to stay at our Grandfather’s house until her work day finished and she’d pick me up there and go home. However, while staying there until her return, I’d meet up with some of my cousins who were older. They’d lure me outside in to the garden to play (there were lots of mango trees and a massive star apple tree) where they’d climb in the trees and pick fruits etc. In addition to doing so, they’d pick up the slightly larger stones underneath the trees (where it was sort of damp and cool as not much sun got there) and there they’d find the ‘drummer roach’ comfortably resting in the cool! At this point, they’d pick up the ‘drummer roach’ and menacingly run after me terrorizing me with the fact that they were going to ‘put it on me.’ Talk about putting the fear of God in you! In any case, I’d run inside the house screaming and bawling my head off as I was deadly afraid of them only to run in to the soothing arms of our recently deceased Aunt G. At this point,in her effort to console me, she told me that the roach looks more menacing that it really is and that it is so named because it resembles that of a drum as it’s back is wide and round; hence the name ‘drummer.’ That’s what you’d say is a no-brainer! If anyone else has other theories, I’d love to hear them, too. I apologise for the lengthy story doc, but I needed it to make the link!
  3. Dr. D. Says:
    August 24th, 2002 at 3:43 pm Rufie, thanks for the enlightening story. I had never heard that one before. Anyway, now that you seem to be enjoying the use of the smileys so much, we eagerly await the inaugural post from the blog that Mad Bull has been working on for yourself and Seven. I can only begin to imagine what short of chat is going to take place there. It should be a trip.
  4. Mad Bull Says:
    August 24th, 2002 at 4:28 pm I think they call them drummer because they are harder to kill than normal roaches. They say you have to hit them many times before they die, hit them like you’re beating a drum, and so…
  5. Rufie Says:
    August 24th, 2002 at 7:37 pm Are you speaking from your own experience Mad Bull? It sounds that way. As for the ‘post’ you referred to doc, I thought it was for Natty, Seven and I? Now it’s been diminished to myself and Seven? What has taken place now for this change???? Some ol’ story I’m sure
  6. Rufie Says:
    August 24th, 2002 at 7:40 pm Yes Dr D, I do so love the smiley icons…they are just precious!
  7. Kesang Says:
    January 30th, 2003 at 8:46 am This is not a comment but a question rather. Are there any doctors in Thailand specialized in Lyme disease? Just curious? Kesang
  8. Amy Says:
    October 1st, 2003 at 8:23 pm i know that this is not medical related but considering that you are a vet thet you might know where i can find an African Cave Dwelling Spider? Please help me out.