dogatemymanuscript In reply to AMikuADay [2016-06-21 20:36:38 +0000 UTC]

Of course. I'll drop you a llama too. Please send me a llama as well and feel free to wander around my gallery. You have nice work so keep it up. I want to see more creative use of angle and lighting for Vocaloid figurine still life shots.

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AMikuADay In reply to dogatemymanuscript [2016-06-21 20:47:05 +0000 UTC]

Thanks for the Llama, i sended you one in return. 

I did take a look at your gallery, the snakes scared the (you know what) out of me.

I love your username and icon by the way, they are both very funny. 

Thank you for the compliment the angle and lighting is a point of improvement you think?

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dogatemymanuscript In reply to AMikuADay [2016-06-22 22:38:27 +0000 UTC]

Lighting and angle are photographic elements that anyone of any skill level should continue experimenting with.

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dogatemymanuscript In reply to QuadrlateralDinosaur [2015-11-21 05:06:09 +0000 UTC]

With the Devil's Flower Mantis the Orchid Mantis is considered a holy grail amoungst mantid keepers. Both are touchy species. They need heat and too little humidity will lead to the petal looking projections are their legs getting stuck in their molt. My friend, Alex (alexandersmantids.deviantart.c… ) has been raising 2 Devil's Flower Mantis nymphs with some luck so perhaps he can give you some pointers that could help with an Orchid mantis too.

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QuadrlateralDinosaur In reply to dogatemymanuscript [2015-11-21 23:32:13 +0000 UTC]

Thank you! I'll definitely talk to him about it. Both species are so beautiful. I've wanted an orchid mantis since I was around 7 and I'm thinking about finally caving and getting one but I want to make sure I've got everything right, first. 

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dogatemymanuscript In reply to QuadrlateralDinosaur [2015-11-22 04:31:07 +0000 UTC]

Peter at Bugsincyberspace.com has them available here and there but I know he's kept some as personal pets for years so he'd be great to talk to regarding care of the particular species. May take him awhile to reply being busy. Let him know you're interested in purchasing one (from him) when they become available again and you want to be sure to get properly prepared for one while you wait for them to be back in stock. He can probably give you a guess as to when he may be selling them again too (I think spring or summer some time usually). His stock is typically nice and healthy. Shipping is well reasonable. He's my go to invert supplier.

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QuadrlateralDinosaur In reply to dogatemymanuscript [2015-11-26 07:22:03 +0000 UTC]

I was originally going to order from him since he had some available last week, but I waited too long and they were gone. I set up a cage for one monitored the temperature and humidity for a few days to make sure that I could keep it in the ideal range and since that worked out I ended up ordering one from someone else. It just got here this morning and is the cutest little thing and already chowing down on fruit flies.

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dogatemymanuscript In reply to QuadrlateralDinosaur [2015-11-27 15:48:09 +0000 UTC]

Good luck with your new pet

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QuadrlateralDinosaur In reply to dogatemymanuscript [2015-12-05 23:43:18 +0000 UTC]

Thank you! It just had its first molt while in my care yesterday and everything is going great c:

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dogatemymanuscript In reply to QuadrlateralDinosaur [2015-12-11 02:28:03 +0000 UTC]

That's a good sign then. If things keep going great with it you'll have to give me a run down of how you cared for it as I'd like one too someday.

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dogatemymanuscript In reply to CustomExotics [2015-07-22 15:30:20 +0000 UTC]

I absolutely loved the colors on that one. Couldn't take my eyes off it. I got this wonderfully painted baby Green Tree Python hatchling polymer necklace I wear to reptile shows and all the seller try to sell me a real one, LOL.

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dogatemymanuscript In reply to lakan-inocencio [2015-07-19 17:38:55 +0000 UTC]

Thank you. Anything you think I should work with more often? I want to get into doing more nature and building photography again. It's just right now my pets have kinda consumed my life and fascination when I'm not at work. Haven't found the time to do anything much else.

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dogatemymanuscript In reply to GWPhotographics [2015-03-26 14:42:11 +0000 UTC]

Thank you. I know it's very pet heavy. Not a lot of variety but that's because my animals are my biggest inspiration.

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GWPhotographics In reply to dogatemymanuscript [2015-03-26 14:46:02 +0000 UTC]

I like it. Should have your photos more though. You're beautiful.

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dogatemymanuscript In reply to GWPhotographics [2015-03-26 15:03:37 +0000 UTC]

It's due to the lack of a camera person. Selfies are so hard to take. I do have some model based pieces for drawing reference that I put in my stock folder from when I've had people to photograph an outfit I put on for a special occasion. I got some shots planed when my snakes are bigger in a year.

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GWPhotographics In reply to dogatemymanuscript [2015-03-26 16:15:41 +0000 UTC]

Ah. I get your point. I'd like to share some ideas with you though.

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dogatemymanuscript In reply to HollyDayArtwork [2014-11-30 22:55:09 +0000 UTC]

Thank you. I've just started growing my collection. There's a lot of things (like snakes) my parents wouldn't ever let me have and back then I only had room for so much anyway, so now that I have a whole 2 bedroom caged pet friendly apartment I'm gathering up a bunch of stuff on my wish list as I find it at good deals at reptile shows. Been collecting used reptile equipment since high school so that has helped me a lot since their was some things I already had or had bought for my gecko. Trying to get a good sized varied collection before my husband and I start having kids to spend all our spare cash on spoiling. LOL.
I see you added me to your watch. Thanks. So you'll get to see all the fascinating creatures yet to come. I know two are pretty well definite at this point. Pre-ordering a rare species of tree frog for pick up at a local reptile show the first weekend of December (so in 1 week YAY) and I'm on a waiting list for a rare type of rat snake which will be ready for shipping April-May when the weather warms up. I'm so excited. The two rarest herps on my wish list it looks like I'll be getting. The frog the breeder has at below average price plus I don't need to get it shipped so that saves me like $80 total making it affordable, plus I don't feel like I'm splurging too much on an animal I can't really interact with. The snake I have to do some saving up for but luckily they're coming available right around tax rebate time. After this coming reptile show this weekend I won't be buying any new reptiles until warmer weather hits and I have purchased the rare rat snake. I'll be buying some equipment I need with Christmas present gift cards and saving the cash plus I have my birthday before the baby rat snakes are available so I should be good even if I have to pay in some taxes after my federal refund. Plus I want a garter snake, as I think I've mentioned to you before, and I'm also looking into getting a rosy boa so I have at least 1 type of snake from each of the main 3 families (pythonidae, boidae, colubridae).

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HollyDayArtwork In reply to dogatemymanuscript [2014-12-01 20:46:31 +0000 UTC]

I was telling my husband about you,and have been letting him read our comments. You've got him even more eager to build his boa an enclosure so we drew out blueprints for it. We can't wait to get our house  to get custom enclosures and a fwe more snakes. I would love to get a rosy boa. There's a reptile expo out here I'll have to try going to at some point. Might get lucky to find some rare breeds. Can't wait to see all your beautiful new babies! I apologize for the short replies. I don't spend a whole lot of time on DA chatting. Mostly due to email being flooded with people wanting artwork or photography. I can't wait to see the setups you have when they get to your liking!

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dogatemymanuscript In reply to HollyDayArtwork [2014-12-02 03:18:11 +0000 UTC]

I sent you an invite request to my group. It's all about creating functional plus aesthetic pet cages. Got blue prints, digital cages, written supplies, and plenty of photos of all themes to draw inspiration from. Great place to learn tips and tricks.

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HollyDayArtwork In reply to dogatemymanuscript [2014-12-02 03:45:30 +0000 UTC]

Thank you! I'll join.

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dogatemymanuscript In reply to creepergotpwnd [2014-09-03 00:32:23 +0000 UTC]

Thank you. I've learned a lot growing up as an artist. Picked up so many tricks and tips along the journey. My animals are my main source of material and they do such amusing things that how can't I be inspired by them.

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creepergotpwnd In reply to dogatemymanuscript [2014-09-03 00:35:00 +0000 UTC]

Oh, I see! Interesting!

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dogatemymanuscript In reply to creepergotpwnd [2014-09-03 00:49:04 +0000 UTC]

I mean my crested gecko sleeps doing a head stand, upside down, and twisted up like a pretzel. My cat just kissed my cheek and was a big purr baby. The tom cat sits next to me while I eat my cereal in the morning as he wants the milk. Both cats will cuddle, purr, beg, tangle themselves in their toys, give you puppy dog eyes, etc. My now deceased millipede would hang upside down below the lid and curl his head up under his legs (dogatemymanuscript.deviantart.… . He looked like a skinny bat, LOL, and it meant he wanted out to explore my shirt. My snake is inquisitive.

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creepergotpwnd In reply to dogatemymanuscript [2014-09-03 00:50:43 +0000 UTC]

Aww! I love cats!!

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dogatemymanuscript In reply to creepergotpwnd [2014-09-03 00:52:35 +0000 UTC]

Then here's the newest photo of my tom cat being silly dogatemymanuscript.deviantart.…

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creepergotpwnd In reply to dogatemymanuscript [2014-09-03 00:53:12 +0000 UTC]

Kitty is not amused! XD

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dogatemymanuscript In reply to creepergotpwnd [2014-09-03 11:16:20 +0000 UTC]

He's the one that got himself tangled, LOL.

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creepergotpwnd In reply to dogatemymanuscript [2014-09-03 11:21:58 +0000 UTC]

Wow.

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dogatemymanuscript In reply to AlexandersMantids [2014-08-23 15:37:51 +0000 UTC]

Hidden by Commenter

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AlexandersMantids In reply to dogatemymanuscript [2014-08-23 18:21:25 +0000 UTC]

Hidden by Owner

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dogatemymanuscript In reply to AlexandersMantids [2014-08-23 19:14:01 +0000 UTC]

Hidden by Commenter

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AlexandersMantids In reply to dogatemymanuscript [2014-08-26 06:25:54 +0000 UTC]

Okay thatd be cool! thanks! Sounds good about the isopods too, the only ones i have are wild caught so not totally safe for eating. Im all set with millipedes, im actually getting a red eyed leaf frog so im getting rid of most of my wild caught critters. I have an adult leopard slug too, do you want her as well as the baby? I also have 2 tomato hornworms, would you like one? And i dont even have to ask, i know you would really love to have my big snail!

I have a funny nail shaped one too, you saw a photo before and said they looked interesting so i think youd probably like one. Ill try to find more of those.

So heres whats definite so far:

. False japanese beetles (green "june beetles")
. Baby leopard slug
. Big snail (Neohelix albolabris)

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dogatemymanuscript In reply to AlexandersMantids [2014-08-27 03:32:01 +0000 UTC]

Just the baby as long as you're sure it's a leopard slug.

Did you want the Oak leaves whole or crushed? Guess I could send them whole and you can do what you want with them. I found some big ones too. I collected two medium size Oak sticks and even two thin ones with good leaves still attached (thought it'd be perfect for your dead leaf mantis). I'm re-hydrating/reviving the moss I collected and it seems to be perking up well. Most of it I'll be sending you as I need to replace a piece in my milli tank due to mold and the one piece I won't send you because I'm not sure it'll survive for you as I lost most if not all of its root when I collected it. Got to decide what silk plants I'm sending you yet but it'll be several small snips perfect for your bought inverts. I can definitely send you some mealworm adults or pupa as Totoro, who I wanted the beetles for, isn't interested in eating them and they're too large for my new pet (see my youtube to find out what it is). Teleila is the only one I NEED to feed them to so I'm getting over run and Butterscotch is the only other one I can feed them to to thin out my colony. Hope Totoro will eat isopods when I get around to ordering some from Peter. I heard they are enjoyed by amphibians. I got Totoro feeding exclusively on red worms/wigglers now so I may have to start a compost bin to breed them.

In other random news, guess what I found crawling across the cat room floor today? A giant darkling beetle (a superworm beetle) and I also found one under the litter box mat! Thought I had found and gathered up all the escapee superworms from when they chewed through my plastic screened lid on my first breeding container. So I got adults now, so maybe by the time I get a nice sized breeding isopod colony that I can mail you some I may have baby superworms too to send your way.

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AlexandersMantids In reply to dogatemymanuscript [2014-08-29 20:30:28 +0000 UTC]

I'm positive it's a Leopard slug. Looks just like the adult only is small. It's so cute. Lol.

Yeah I'll take whole ones, or crushed, whichever is easiest for you.

Oh that WOULD be perfect for my Deadleafs! Awesome!

I'm sure my little pets will enjoy the plants.

You have another new pet? I'm so curious, I expect it will be cool! To YouTube!! Lol.

Have you tried hand-feeding Totoro? Much to my surprise, my little Gandalf (American Gray Tree Frog), ate a fly that I had pinched between my fingers! And also ate a small bit of worm I had chopped up from tweezers. Never would have guessed they'd do that! I have a video on YouTube of Gandalf eating the fly from my fingers. It's a good idea to breed worms, I was planning on doing the same thing, because my mantids can eat them as well without getting sick.

Oh so they were superworms when they escaped and are beetles now? Awesome, haha!  That'd be great if you could send me some babies.

So do you want a Tomato/Tobacco Hornworm? They're huge, like 3-4 inches long. Caterpillars. Turn to big, brown moths with orange stripes on their abdomen. And the horns on their caterpillar abdomen aren't sharp enough to pierce human skin, I think they're more for poking EACH OTHER. I have them housed together and if one accidentally climbs on top of the other, the one on bottom tries to poke the one on top with it. It's curious because there are photos on Google Images of the caterpillars carrying eggs! I'm wondering if they mate as caterpillars?? I need to research that.

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dogatemymanuscript In reply to AlexandersMantids [2014-08-30 04:19:14 +0000 UTC]

I got everything but the silk plants and mealworms ready for packing. I got the sticks, bark, and leaves thrown together in a tied up Walmart bag and I'm going to bury that in the packing peanuts that have yet to find their way to the dumpster, so hopefully everything gets to you whole.I packed up the largest leaves and crushed the leaf halves for my own collection. You can put the leaves whole in the bottom of your terrariums or crush them up to mix into substrate/soil or mix-&-match across your cages (whole leaves look awesome in a frog tank). I did bake everything but you may want to re-sanitize it before you use it as all the new leaf litter I made from the leaves molded in 3 days in the millipede tank so I had to bake the whole substrate.  I really need to get isopods stat for that terrarium as I'm over watering it again.

Sometimes Totoro will take food from feeder tongs, but not most of the time. When I first brought him home he obviously LOVED crickets and it's what he was use to eating at the pet store, but even so he'd only gobble them right up after I dropped them in front of his face and wouldn't take them from the feeding tongs (I only held the crickets by a back leg so they'd be easy to grab). I have to leave the food in the cage overnight for him, which is why I switched to just red worms as food since I can't keep crickets alive very well. I tried feeding Totoro the mealworm beetles but he was not interested even when I left them freely roam his cage so he could ambush them like he prefers.

No to the hornworm. I'm horrible at keeping moths alive apparently, as I caught a little one that mimicked bark well and even though I gave it a damp paper towel and a carrot it died in 2 days. Also, hornworms are a nightmare pest in my area. We have a lot of farms, orchards, and gardens in the surrounding counties. Tomato hornworms are a controlled crop pest in my area. There's a few snails I know are a big no, no in my area too. The biggest is the Giant African Snail and owning or transporting any can get you jail time or at least big fines. They're considered major pests as they love eating many of our crops plus there's worry about them transmitting diseases to humans. I make sure any invertebrate I get by any means is considered to be a locally established, though rarely sighted species. I need to make a 1.5hr drive away to the mountain range to find most things. The local park I collected insects at last year was heavily renovated so ALL of the habitat was disturbed, so it's hard to find much of anything exciting. Need good forest or only gently disturbed land to find a wide variety of inverts. Seems like you got that near by.

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