Exotic Pets: Pet Weta - What is a Weta?

What is an exotic pet where some of the species can be as large as your hand, sings, and hides their ears near their knees? It’s a weta of course! One species of weta can be three times as big as a mouse, the giant wetas.

A weta image can be found at the end of the article.

The weta is from the family Anostostomatidae and is found primarily in New Zealand though can be found in other areas in the southern hemisphere. They are much like cricket, katydid, or grasshopper.

The weta is an ancient breed of insect, a kind old enough to have seen the dinosaurs. The weta is also known as a weta cricket.

The giant weta is among most massive insects on earth. Only the African goliath beetle competes in size and weight. Weta is flightless. They are nocturnal. Most weta is entirely passive though they can inflict injury biting with their mandibles. They can also leave a scratch with the spikes on their lower legs.

People keep weta crickets as pets. Though it is uncommon to find pet weta in the United States. They are more likely perceived as pets in China or even the United Kingdom.

The female weta has a tube on her rear end; it looks like a stinger but is, in fact, an ovipositor. It is a tube that the female uses to lay eggs.

The weta is an omnivore eating vegetation and other insects.

There are many different species of weta, Tree weta, Cave weta, and Giant weta, Ground weta, and Tusked weta.

Each species has different care requirements and needs. You should keep your weta in an environment as close to their natural habitat as possible.

Wetas can be kept in reptile housing or aquariums. The shelter should have plenty of ventilation. Make sure they are not held in the sunlight. Use a metallic mesh instead of a plastic mesh otherwise, the weta can chew through and escape. Make sure the lid is secure.

Excessive temperature or humidity can kill the weta. 15C or 59.0 F to 20C or 68.0 F is an optimum temperature. Below the minimum they become inactive; a higher heat is intolerable to many species of weta.

The optimum humidity levels for tree wetas is in the range of 60-70%. The giant weta and ground weta need lower humidity levels, around 40-50%. You can achieve the desired humidity levels by misting the enclosure every two to five days. Use a humidity gauge to accurately make the desired levels.

They are nocturnal and should have places to feel safe and hide during the day. Dry bark shelters are ideal places for the weta to hide.

Make sure you remove food before it spoils or any material that may turn moldy. Feed the weta fruit, vegetables, and small insects. Make sure their food is free from all chemicals.

Make sure the weta has fresh water. Use shallow containers an example would be jar lids.

Keep their enclosures clean. Remove old waste material. Fresh fecal pellets should be left in place. These new pellets are chemical markers that assist the weta in navigating their enclosure.

Provide your weta with chemical-free branches, twigs, and other climbing material.

The sounds of the weta are similar to the cricket and can be heard through the night. They flick their hind legs against their abdomen. They make other noises using their bellies. The sound is a saw-like rasping sound.

Enjoy your exotic pet weta, but please learn everything there is to know about your pet before you obtain one as a pet. No animals are throw away pets and should be treated with the utmost respect and the best of care.

Giant Weta