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Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Dug through the breeding bin and uncovered these lively Western Hercules beetle larvae. As this species can take up to 2 years to pupate. They will be retained for future breeding efforts. #beetle #insects #bugsky #herculesbeetle #westernherculesbeetle #dynastesgrantii #grub #larvae #eggs

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Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Testing out a new macro lens. #oliverthetoad was a very patient girl. Not budging with my camera less than an inch from her face. With cooler weather around the corner, you won't be seeing posts featuring her as often. As she'll be hibernating. Wouldn't it be nice to just skip winter like that?

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Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Most species of frog lay eggs which are fertilized externally. An unusual consequence of this is a behavior called 'Clutch Piracy'. In which male frogs seek out freshly laid clumps of eggs instead of females. Upon finding one. The male proceeds to grasp the eggs and fertilize them.

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Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

A rainbow of rainbows! These three beetles are retired breeders, and prime examples of the variety to be found in their species. Interested in having one? You're in luck. These ladies may be retired from breeding, but their larvae are still in stock and ready to ✈️. #rainbowstagbeetle #beetle

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Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

It's not what it looks like! It really isn't. These Chameleon Geckos aren't mating, because the one on top is female. She's trampling over her mate simply because there's somewhere she wants to be. He just happens to be in her way. #chameleongecko #chameleongeckos #gecko #geckosky #petgecko =

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Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Pardon the radio silence, life has been very busy between my day job and trying to find a car. Rest assured that all the critters are still doing well. There just hasn't been time and energy to spare on posting about them.

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Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Frogs & Toads have much in common. Both are such diverse groups that the line dividing the two can be a fuzzy one. Yet the contrast in feeding methods between African Green Toads and Solomon Island Leaf Frogs is dramatic indeed. #frogsky #amphibians #toad #africangreentoad #solomonislandleaffrog

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Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Anyone with an interest in Solomon Island Leaf Frogs can attest that few raise these amazing amphibians. The sources that offer them only do so sporadically. Myself included.

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Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Caught one of the male Solomon Island Leaf Frogs perched right beneath the enclosure lid. This particular spot seems to be a favorite. #frogsky #frogs #leaffrog #solomonislandleaffrog #cornuferguentheri

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Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

These two insect specimens have one thing in common. They're both waiting for materials to complete their displays.

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Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Rainbow Stag Beetle Larvae ready to ✈️ Phalacrognathus muelleri of mixed-color parentage, Hatched 6/7/2026 DM for more info. #beetle #bugsky #stagbeetle #insects #beetlekeeping #beetlekeeper #invertebrates #rainbowstagbeetle #petinsect #petinsects #usbeetle #beetlekeeping

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Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

These Rainbow Stag Beetle grubs hatched on the same day. Yet one is significantly larger than the other. Why is that? It is simply because Stag Beetles can vary considerably in size. Some individuals have the potential to grow larger than their kin. #beetle #insectsofinstagram #stagbeetle #bugsky

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Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

The baby E. occidentalis is hitting all the key milestones. Saw it hunting fruit flies one day, and successfully shedding the next. #babygecko #hatchling #chameleongecko #chameleongeckos #gecko #geckosky #petgecko #newcaledoniangecko #eurydactylodes #eurydactylodesoccidentalis

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Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Compared to frogs and geckos. The enclosure needs for Stag, Rhino, and Hercules beetles are very simple. Enough soil to submerge their body in. A food bowl. Some pieces of bark or TP tube to cling into in case they fall onto their back- and they're all set! #rainbowstagbeetle #bugsky

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Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

New! Western Chameleon Gecko Care Guide. Having successfully bred this species at long last, I figured it was due time to add them to my growing catalogue. This document is a quick guide for prospective new owners of these lovely lizards, and is free to redistribute & reprint.

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Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

As a heads up, Northeast Bugs & Beasts will be busy through the coming week. Posts will continue as normal, but inquiries, messages, and comments may not receive responses right away.

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Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Solomon Island Leaf Frogs are in many ways unique. Their striking, leaf-like appearance and skipping of the tadpole phase stand out.

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Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

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Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Hercules Beetles, such as this Western Hercules Beetle are famed for their strength and iconic twin horns. But did you know they can also rapidly change color? Their shells turn dark brown when wet, and a sandy beige when dry. This change can occur in a matter of minutes! #beetle #insects #bugsky

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Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

So much leaf litter makes it easy to lose track of where the frogs are. But seeing them engaged in natural behavior will always be worth that price. #frogsky #frogs #leaffrog #solomonislandleaffrog #cornuferguentheri

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Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

Rainbow Stag Beetle Larvae ready to ✈️ Phalacrognathus muelleri of mixed-color parentage, Hatched 6/7/2026 PM for details. Local pickup is preferred due to recent high temperature. #beetle #bugsky #stagbeetle #insects #beetlekeeping #beetlekeeper #invertebrates #rainbowstagbeetle

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Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Several months of checking the chameleon gecko enclosure finally bore fruit! A week ago this tiny baby was found basking alongside its parents. Already the little one is accepting gecko diet and settling well into its new life.

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Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Today temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit are expected in parts of New Jersey. If you happen to keep amphibians. Then you know full well the anxiety that comes with summer heatwaves. Here are some ways to keep your collection safe during these smoldering times.

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Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

Sweetie hunting fruit flies. Buddy, her mate, isn't at all interested in live insects. So she gets them all to herself. Chameleon Geckos have striking, bright yellow mouth interior. Which can be seen clearly here. #chameleongecko #gecko #geckosky #eurydactylodes #eurydactylodesoccidentalis

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Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

Its easy to fall into the mindset that reptiles and amphibians 'don't have much going on upstairs'. Or that they only think of food, mating, and shelter. Even as a keeper of these animals I've caught myself thinking that a frog 'looks vacant'.

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Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

I get a lot of people asking if I have Solomon Island Leaf Frogs available, the short answer is that I sure would love to! If you've spent any amount of time searching for this species. You would know that they are extremely difficult to come by.

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Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

All the way back in September, I teased that I would be expanding beyond just Rainbow Stag Beetles. Just yesterday, this Western Hercules Beetle (Dynastes grantii) emerged from her pupa! #beetle #invertebrates #insecthobby #bugsky #insect #dynastinae #herculesbeetle #dynastesgrantii

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Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

Dug out the Rainbow Stag Beetle Larvae today and set them up with individual containers. You all know what that means; once they've had time to grow. These little ones will be ready to ✈️. #beetle #bugsky #stagbeetle #insects #beetlekeeper #invertebrates #petinsect #grub #larvae

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Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

Part of pinning insects is knowing what is and is not worth trying. This beautiful damselfly is a perfect example of an insect I would not pin. Its not that its impossible to do so. No doubt countless damselfly specimens line museum and personal collections alike.

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Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

Solomon Island Leaf Frogs have great appetites (though the same could be said for most frogs). It's always a delight dropping crickets in, and then watching the leaf litter explode into motion. In a near instant. The frogs pull in their prey, and often a leaf or two along with it. #frogsky

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Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

Finally! Some new Rainbow Stag Beetle larvae. Pardon the crusty photo- this news simply couldn't wait! These larvae are the product of putting one male beetle in with four females. So I suspect there will be plenty more waiting to be dug up. #stagbeetle #insects #grub #larvae #eggs #bugsky

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Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

These necklaces are made from the elytra of Sternocera aequisignata jewel beetles. They are sure to stand out and make a unique conversation piece. Want a beautiful beetlewing necklace? PM us now! First come first serve! #insectjewlery #beetlejewlery #jewlery #jewelbeetle #insects #beetle #jewlery

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Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

Are leaves alone enough for Leaf Frogs? The short answer is yes, but there's more nuance to it.

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Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

Here we have #oliverthetoad clambering over a log in front of a coconut she never uses. Her favorite place to nap is the OTHER coconut hut. #frogsky #frogs #amphibians #toad #africangreentoad #greentoad #bufotesboulengeri

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Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

When multiple male Solomon Island Leaf Frogs share an enclosure, some minor squabbles are inevitable. However, in my experience these conflicts are relatively infrequent, and don't appear to bring harm or significant stress to either male*

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Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

Chameleon Geckos possess pupils that can narrow to a slit in bright light. Or expand to cover nearly the entire eye under the cover of darkness. Where this species differs is in the look of said pupil. It has a 'toothed' edge that lends to its lends to its unique look. #chameleongecko #geckosky

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Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

Spin it boys! Rainbow Stag Beetles sport a brilliant exoskeleton that shimmers under light. Photos simply don't do these animals justice- but a video can get close. #rainbowstagbeetle #beetle #bugsky #stagbeetle #insects #beetlekeeping #beetlekeeper #invertebrates #petinsect #petinsects

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Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

After so many nights spent fervently singing his little heart out. Kooka (second image) finally coupled with Beelzebub (first image). The vivarium's other male- who has yet to be named- also took part in mating.

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Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

Finally, the best time of year is approaching. The skies are bright. Trees are green with fresh leaves. Birds are singing, flowers are blooming. On days like these, I would go hunting for bugs.

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Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

At the time of writing, my Solomon Island Leaf Frog breeding group consists of two captive bred individuals (a beige male & female), and one wild caught individual (a dark brown male). Having these animals in close proximity has allowed me to notice a few differences in behavior.

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Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

The method frogs use to shed their skin has a way of looking alarming at a glance. They sit near-motionless, occasionally opening their mouths wide as if to gasp. All while puffed up.

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Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

Baby leaf frogs are growing well. They're taking a look at the bin adjacent to theirs- wonder what they see in there? #froggy #frogsky #frogs #leaffrog #frogbreeding #froglet #froglets #babyfrogs #babyfrog #babyanimals

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Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

Took my beetles out for a photoshoot in golden-hour sunlight. Quite worth doing so- they look simply gorgeous! Wish I could have gotten clearer photos, but next thing I knew the sun was already setting.

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Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

Quick tour of the Western Chameleon Gecko vivarium, featuring Buddy & Sweetie. Chameleon Geckos have a noticeable preference for branches roughly equal in width to their bodies.

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Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

Always a pleasure to see #oliverthetoad out and about. With the warmer spring weather she's been making more frequent appearances. #frogsky #frogs #amphibians #toad #africangreentoad #greentoad #bufotesboulengeri

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Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

"Solomon Island Leaf Frogs come in several colors" is a statement that I and others have parroted countless times. However, this sort of polymorphism is only true of the Nabors line. Which is just one of a few distinct lineages of these beautiful animals. #exoticpet #froggy #frogsky #infographic

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Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

Time sure flies. Good thing frogs are so good at catching flies! In May of 2025, the first photos were posted on the Northeast Bugs & Beasts facebook page. Since then, so, so much has transpired. Including, but not limited to:

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