Growing up in Zimbabwe, Africa, naturally meant making friends with all sorts of fascinating beasties.
Like the chongololo. This giant African Millipede (Scaphiostreptus parilis acuticonus) was always to be found after the rain had softened the ground. As soon as it is touched, it rolls up into a protective ball, and we could pick them up and carry them in our hands. They would usually poop an orange substance as their way of saying thank you. They made excellent bowling balls, or could double as goons in a game of chongololo marbles! Wonderful creatures!
Then there was the Rhino Beetle. Phileurus truncatus. Totally harmless, it doesn't bite or sting, but because of the hooks on its legs, I always picked it up by its horn. They were excellent compost makers, so we would take them and deposit them in Rhino Beetle Paradise - the compost heap! 
Another creature with a horn was a worm we often found on our arum lilies. It was big and fat and green, and could grow to about three inches in length. I would not touch these, but my mother (who was deathly scared of feathers!) would pick them up and caress them. One time she put one on the front bar of my cousin's stroller, and he shuddered from head to foot!! She also once played with a chameleon, who repaid her kindness with a nasty bite on her hand.
One insect I dreaded were locusts. Ugh! They had spiny legs, and were just ugly! I do not like watching the animated film "It's a Bug's Life" for that reason. Ugh! Ugh! UGH! I also did not enjoy when the flying ants came out en masse after the rain. They would hit up against the windows, trying to get in the house, making one feel like you were living through the plagues of Egypt. In the morning, we would have to go and sweep up their wings which they had carelessly deposited on our front doorstep.
As far as domesticated pets went, I kept, at various times, guinea pigs, chickens, a gerbil, a hedgehog (for a week) and a budgie (Australian parakeet). Poor Tippy, he met an unfortunate end. I killed him. I didn't mean to!! I was holding him while my dad medicated his beak, and he began to struggle to get free, so I held him tighter... and then his little eyes closed, and ... poor Tippy!
The hedgehog was an interesting pet. I would collect insects for him during the day, and put them in his box. He was curled up asleep, and totally ignored these offerings. At night, only when once I was in bed and had put the light out, would he suddenly uncurl and go foraging for food. He would happen upon something (his favorites were chongololos!) and you can imagine how crunchy these are to eat! Kind of like the hedgehog version of potato crisps! I would hear a loud "Crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch!" Then a moment to digest followed by "Crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch!" This was why he only lasted one week!
I drew the line at reptiles. I don't like reptiles. Never have, never will. I did not like the giant iguanas who slithered around under the tables in the hotel restaurant in Senegal. Nope, I did not like those!! And I will never give in to my husband's request to keep a pet snake! Nope, that will never happen.
Oh oh, that reminds me of my seven "I will never" statements. Every one of them have come true! Eek! I never said that last one!! OK? You are my witness!
