Exotic pets: Thalia Pennisi at home in Craigieburn with tarantulas, snakes and scorpions
READER STORY: Mrs Strennysaurus the tarantula, a jungle carpet python called Mr Bananas, plus fighting fish, scorpions and centipedes share a home with this passionate Craigieburn woman.
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FOR as long as I’ve known, I’ve always been fascinated with animals and nature.
This keen sense of curiosity soon grew into a deep passion for all things in the natural world, one that remains incredibly strong today!
I am passionate about all living creatures and the environment, hence my varied collection of native exotic pets.
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I’ve been keeping exotics for nearly 15 years now and I love my spiders, snakes, scorpions and centipedes as much as the next person loves their cat or dog.
Being able to observe their behaviour on a daily basis and still learn from them has been a most rewarding experience.
It has taught me to appreciate all life forms, as they all have a role to play on this planet and deserve to be respected.
Sure, most are not animals which enjoy cuddles or human interaction, but they have their place as valued pets and we develop a sense of trust over our time spent together.
The best thing to stem from my passion for animals is my increased awareness about the environment from which their wild relatives originate and a greater appreciation for our incredible country.
Habitation loss and destruction, pollution and human interference in general are such prominent issues that require further addressing and action if we are to be able to continue to see our native flora and fauna thriving.
I only hope I can inspire others to take a second look at the not-so- cute and furry creatures out there and to grow an appreciation and respect for them through further education.
Don’t say things like, “the only good snake/spider/etc is a dead one”, because all that does is show your lack of knowledge and compassion.
Adoration is not required to show these animals respect either.
Just leave them be and, unless threatened, they will likely do the same.
Like it or not, our ecosystem needs these guys more than it needs us.
Humans need to keep their egos in check.
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