Giant “Toe Biter” Water Bug, The Best Pet Insect?

[@ClintsReptiles]

Over 24 MINUTES of BONUS content from THIS video, exclusively for our Stinkin' Rad Fans on Patreon! Patreon is a great way to support Clint's Reptiles AND get awesome extras (including hundreds of other bonus videos)! www.patreon.com/posts/video-patreon-111872288

[@HassanMohamed-rm1cb]

Hey Clint Laidlaw, Why don't you get to think of a suggestion and creating a KZbin Videos all about the 🪲Phylogeny Group Of Beetles🪲on the next Clint's Reptiles on the next Saturday coming up next?!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️👍👍👍👍

[@HassanMohamed-rm1cb]

Hey Clint Laidlaw, Why don't you get to think of a suggestion and creating a KZbin Videos all about the 🪼Phylogeny Group Of Jellyfish🪼on the next Clint's Reptiles on the next Saturday coming up next?!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️👍👍👍👍👍

[@nicholascooper8529]

Small suggestion, do you think you can make the subtitles or spell words correctly? Especially in your phylogeny videos they can be a mess with the Latin

[@darrenswails]

Wait water striders bite?

[@nunyabiznes7446]

"After seizing me in its raptorial forelimbs, it impaled its proboscis into me and began digesting my finger. The burning sensation was quite strong, but frankly I was more fascinated with what it was doing, wasn't too bothered by it-" truly entomologists are built different

[@Aquarimax]

😂 You may be right 🤣😂

[@varanus5622]

Then there's the guy who got bitten by a Boomslang and instead of seeking medical attention decided to wait and write down what happened (he died)

[@Zuzu00000]

​@@varanus5622How much of the process did he get to write down? Or did he die too fast to record anything valuable?

[@varanus5622]

@@Zuzu00000 His entries cover a total of 14 hours; it took about 24 hours for the venom to kill him. The entries are a little sparse, but paint a decent picture of the symptoms. The autopsy report revealed some additional info that he was unable to record. If you want to look into it yourself, his name was Karl P Schmidt

[@owenblount7334]

Venomous rostrum

[@joseserrano-m3l]

the jabs at coyote peterson lmao

[@Firestar-TV]

😂 He is like that Crocodile Guy from the South Park Episode with the frozen Man ,,Oh yes, this will really piss it off"

[@aguineapig3292]

Definitely worse than the tarantula hawk 🤕

[@saltykraken9471]

​@@Firestar-TVI felt like I was watching jackass on the few occasions I was dumb enough to watch coyote. Was expecting steveo or wee man to run up and hit him with a folding chair. 😂

[@mattm7798]

Dude is a joke.

[@Zeffarian]

Coyote Peterson bitten by a mosquito: "YEEERRRRRAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!"

[@Aquarimax]

Keeping a Giant ‘Toe Biter’ really keeps you on your toes!

[@lucasiglesias1894]

So what you're saying is ballerinas should keep them

[@Aquarimax]

@@lucasiglesias1894 🤣 That’s one interpretation!! 🩰

[@Buttington_Headerson]

Booooooooo

[@SockyNoob]

I knew that he'd ask you of all people for help on this. Remember all the videos I said "Ask Aquarimax Pets to help you with that toebiter video". I sooooooo would keep them as pets but I have no room for an aquarium nor am I allowed to have pets at our apartment unfortunately.

[@Warriorking.1963]

Unless you're a coyote.

[@robertmacpherson9044]

I kept one of these when I was a kid. One of the "feeder" goldfish in his tank went on to be a pet in its own right when the Belostomatid died. After about a year as an indoor pet, "Bug food" lived on for another five or so years in the garden pond.

[@NabPunk]

Imagine someone hearing the name "Bug Food" for the first time after the goldfish had grown a bit, and wondering "well that must have been one hell of a bug"

[@dirtyfiendswithneedles3111]

Bug Food is the name of the third Betelgeuse movie.

[@sydhenderson6753]

That's a delightful revenge.

[@thefrankyg]

Clint and subtle shade with getting bit lol

[@angelaa7388]

Such grace.

[@bewilderbeestie]

'Subtle'...

[@THEPATMAN37]

Loving seeing that faker get called out. I’m sure those stings suck but come on dude. No one is buying it.

[@saltykraken9471]

​@@THEPATMAN37 sadly alot of kids and gullible adults think he's authentic.

[@CiphersWon]

@@THEPATMAN37hey i used to be younger and therefore dumber. if only i’d known 😔

[@93lozfan]

I loved how Clint listed a bunch of "not" fishes and then included them in "other fishes" I learn a lot from this channel and I'm happy it let's me into inside jokes

[@michaelrips876]

What really got me was the casual way he flew over that joke, so most newcomers probably won't even realise that this wasn't a tiny slip up. Btw was going to leave the same comment. Read it instead from you, which made me just as happy.

[@Ithinkjustzelda]

Not even skipping a beat with the "snakes frogs and other aquatic fishes". Really curated an audience that appreciates phylogeny

[@johnrichardson7629]

Phylqogeny is phylogeny. You can CLASSIFY in ways that respect phylogeny but isn't a mindless slave to it. Look up what A - B means in elementary set theory.

[@Ithinkjustzelda]

@@johnrichardson7629 dude, chill

[@johnrichardson7629]

@@Ithinkjustzelda Nah. Chilling caused brain freeze.

[@Ithinkjustzelda]

@@johnrichardson7629 shouldn't be a problem the.

[@cheryltysver4819]

​@@johnrichardson7629This is the first comment about 'best pets for you'...or any other of it's genre... that had Set Theories... brought into the conversation which is, I think, really cool! You could say that my fascination with rattlesnakes led me to a book called... 'Mathematics the Loss of Certainty' by Morris Kline and a 40+ year obsession with the foundations of mathematics! Thanks for your comment!

[@stephenleblanc4677]

A "fan" mailed Charles Darwin a water beetle that he found in a field (water beetles, including the Toe Biter, routinely fly as adults), with a tiny baby freshwater muscle attached to its leg, illustrating to Darwin one way that non-flying animals make it from pond to pond throughout the world.

[@myleftnut3934]

Oh that’s nice but who’s “Darwid”?

[@chriswiggins1679]

Toe biters fly too homie.

[@Dallows65]

@@chriswiggins1679 ... He was talking about the muscle. Like, aquatic muscles that live attached to rocks, turtles, and other slow moving surfaces. The implication of what he said was that the muscle attached to the water bug and traveled to new water by doing so.

[@iboofer]

@@Dallows65 Just so nobody gets confused, it's a freshwater *mussel*, like a clam-like animal.

[@Dallows65]

@@iboofer Mussel, thank you. I live along a swampy coast but obviously don’t spend a lot time fishing xD

[@kinilas]

I love how much shade Clint is throwing in this video

[@syrupybrandy2788]

I love Coyote, he's my favorite actor. Not critically acclaimed; but still great for zombie B-movies. You know which one? The one who gets eaten alive first.

[@jonathanblaylock8531]

Shots fired. The Kendrick vs Drake stuff was fun but Clint vs Coyote is what we need.

[@susanmartin3762]

"Down stairs digit nibblers"... Oh Clint.. you do come up with the best descriptions! I love it!❤

[@erikjohanson3929]

Always happy to see shade thrown at Coyote Overreaction Petersen

[@dilboo]

AAAAAAAAAA ITS JUST AS BAD I MEMBER AAAAAAAA

[@duskysomething5411]

Nothing makes me happier than a Clint's Reptiles video featuring Rus! These collabs are always the absolute best, with so much first-hand informed experience with the critters in question.

[@timapiepgrass8702]

Rus is great he knows about so many interesting things.

[@Aquarimax]

😁 I am so glad you enjoyed this! I know I did!

[@Aquarimax]

@@timapiepgrass8702😊

[@PandamaticBreakcore]

I remember crossing a bridge at night and seeing something glinting in the darkness. I thought 'oh someone dropped a bunch of coins that's neat' only to find it was light reflecting off the eyes of about 12 of these guys

[@Mermare]

Their eyes are beautiful. Maybe not glowing in the dark, though.

[@SockyNoob]

The squad

[@Level_1_Frog]

When I was a child, a friend of mine found one of these in his garden pond, and I thought it looked awesome so I brought it home with me amd put it in my fish tank... I was less than thrilled the next day when one of my goldfish was completely eaten 😭 that was my fault entirely for not looking into what that beetle ate, and i still love these diving beetles to this day- they are gnarly, they are hunters, and they're beautiful.

[@NabPunk]

Diving beetles are a different group of rad insects, these toe-biters are true-bugs as Clint said. Both are awesome.

[@eybaza6018]

What were you expecting? That they're vegetarians😂

[@Level_1_Frog]

@@eybaza6018 I was expecting them to eat fish food flakes 😭 I want to reiterate that I was a child at the time xD

[@eybaza6018]

@@Level_1_Frog Fair enough then. That alternate reality seems way more appealing to that one poor fish

[@Level_1_Frog]

@@eybaza6018 I still feel really guilty about it, it must have been terrifying for the poor goldfish. It would be like a giant having a human enclosure and one day they just pop in a tiger hoping it would just eat falafel wraps with the humans 😖

[@wasd____]

Gotta love how the Coyote Peterson Pain Index Scale starts at: "Ouch! It's agonizing!! (hammed up about three degrees)" and ends at, *"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'M LITERALLY ABOUT TO DIE!!!!!!!! (while rolling on ground)"*

[@nos9510]

Coyote pain index is entirely made up, his reactions could not be more fake. i strongly recommend looking up Jack world of wildlife, he debunks all of them and he barely bat an eye to all these bites

[@1mrcow143]

I’ll check Jack out

[@nos9510]

@@1mrcow143 check the paper wasp one, dude get stung in the face like 4 times. Remember how Coyote reacted to his sting?

[@DavidSmith-vr1nb]

Wasn't there some guy named Schmidt who recorded this ages ago?

[@nos9510]

@@DavidSmith-vr1nb He passed away a couple of years ago but yes. Just spread the word that Coyote is a fraud :) watch jack world of wildlife and be the judge. The bullet ant reaction is priceless too

[@flyingwithdragons5434]

I found out about this bug just this week, when someone in my field biology class picked it up off the side of the road. It was super interesting to learn about, so imagine my surprise when later that day I saw that Clint had made an entire video about them! What a serendipity!

[@Melisski]

I had no idea this was even a contender for being a pet at all. lol

[@saltykraken9471]

I mean technically anything could be a pet if you can replicate it's environment. I agree tho was a little thrown off at the suggestion for this one.

[@DJFracus]

This is the channel with a king cobra and a black mamba pet video. This is very tame in comparison.

[@Melisski]

@@DJFracus I know. I've watched all of Clints videos about three times over. I'm not knocking it. It's more of a "I didn't even think of that" thing.

[@Melisski]

@@saltykraken9471 Yeah, I know. I feel like this one popped up like the Spanish Inquisition. lol

[@zakarymcleod1850]

I've been bitten by a giant water bug, a water strider, and an assassin bug nymph. The assassin bug was by far the worst bite/sting I've ever experienced from anything. I don't know what species it was, but it was intense, like being poked with a red hot dull nail and then having acid and lava poured into the wound. My reaction was almost as dramatic as Coyote Petterson's reaction to the water bug, but I was also like 8 years old. The water bug also hurt, but not as much. The strider just burned a bit and wasn't even as bad as some of Florida's ants and wingless wasps.

[@aGORILLA-g7l]

I never knew water striders would bite. Interesting.

[@zakarymcleod1850]

@@aGORILLA-g7l They aren't very prone to do it. I had him cupped in my hand.

[@aGORILLA-g7l]

@@zakarymcleod1850 Yea, I remember seeing them on backpacking trips and they always seemed pretty docile.

​@@aGORILLA-g7l they definitely don't seem prone to it as I've handled and cupped many in my hands in my childhood and never had one bite.

[@misteriguana2748]

Yeah, those velvet ants aren't very fun to get stung by.

[@morningperson707]

The Coyote clips 💀

[@ZomPaul2113]

dude is a queen

[@brandonpiel8789]

I have a few questions: in the wild, toe biters hibernate, overwintering as adults. Do they still do that in captivity, and if so, what is the best way to care for them while they're hibernating? Also, can toe biters be raised communally or is it 1 tank, 1 bug?

[@jjoohhhnn]

I imagine it's 1 tank 1 bug for the most part, they're solitary and probably cannibalistic like spiders. If they were the same size and had a very large enclosure (maybe in the 20 gallon+ range to safely keep 2, three inch adults? But that's just a guess, they seem like active and mobile predators since they can fly well). I feel like having an outdoor rain garden feature (with shallow water, and plants with stalks that come out of the water to the surface like reeds, cattails or Pickerelweed with a light at night to attract them is probably your best bet to keep multiple, you could still stock the water with prey if you want them to stay. It wouldn't have to be expensive, only about 50$ for pond-liner (you don't need a huge or deep pond to keep these guys especially if you feed them). You would have to dig a bit to get enough soil ontop of the pondliner to allow plants to grow though.

[@brandonpiel8789]

@Pistolita221 thanks. I had a feeling that was probably the case but figured I'd ask just in case it wasn't. That's a great idea building an outdoor pond. Some day, when I can afford some land of my own, I hope to do that.

[@erichtomanek4739]

"I would like to introduce you to the world of Piercing, Sucking Mouthparts." One of the most wholesome lines ever said!!!

[@mMeFlora]

their sopping wet eyes are soo cute 🥺

[@mikuenjoyerXD]

I think so too!!

[@gabbermensch]

We have similar species in Scotland (without the giant arms) , water beetles but we have various common names for the many species- "water boatman", "skimmers" and my favourite, "whirlygig beetles" due to them going in circles on the surface of the water.

[@kylefriend6391]

This is the 1 channel on KZbin that I have hit the bell for notifications- and so stoked to see Russ as a guest. Thank you, Clint, for always making my Saturday morning with my kids that much better! ❤

[@Aquarimax]

😁

[@LindaSmith-r2f]

I picked the most ADORABLE little green swimming bug out of my pond while fishing one day and of course, as you do, brought it inside and put it into a container and raised it. It never got above and inch and a half so I don't think it was a toe biter but it was a fascinating little guy. Ate ANYTHING that fell into the water (I quickly started making sure that this did not mean fingers). It reminded me, while feeding, of a praying mantis. Lived two years. Never seen another one or I would keep another!

[@JH-lz4dh]

Maybe it was a dragonfly nymph?

[@Delightedly]

Got a couple of options and I can likely give you a broad ID if I know your basic location on earth.

[@LindaSmith-r2f]

@@DelightedlyNorth east Oklahoma. Thanks! Also, was brown as adult. Beautiful green while young. Def had forelimbs that it reached out and snagged prey with. Oval in shape. Came to the surface to breathe, liked to hang on plants near the surface and watch for things to fall in. Had to buy it crickets all winter! It's name was scary bug.

[@LindaSmith-r2f]

@@JH-lz4dh Nope, I have tons of dragonflies cause of the pond and I know what those look like. They are pretty scary!

[@alukeofalltrades]

Rus from Aquarimax!!! Super hyped to see another collab between you two. Both of your channels have quality information and feel good energy. Love!

[@jorgerangel2390]

I love how you low key bully that guy xD

[@MrHugemoth]

I didnt know water striders could bite untill one bit my foot while soaking my feet in a creek. They do indeed bite!

[@demosthenes995]

AHHHGG THAT WOULD TERRIFY ME

[@jimboalogo]

The Bullet Ant made the guy go into labor.

[@saltykraken9471]

Giving birth doesn't hurt that bad. I've seen women with no pain meds handle it better.

[@sjzara]

You need to add a Coyote score: bite drama level

[@larachaplauske8818]

"Well, you've met Russ...". I cackled 😂.

[@Aquarimax]

LOL 🤣

[@stampinturtles]

lol yes!!! 🕷️🪳🪲🦟🐜🐛🐞🕷️

[@shiroamakusa8075]

Talking about aquatic insects, would you ever consider to do an episode on the great diving beetle?

[@Trundlebugg]

If I remember rightly, Russ has them too 😄

[@Aquarimax]

@@Trundlebugg i have a Hydrophilus (Giant Water Scavenger Beetle)

[@CainXVII]

I found several diving beetles in a big water collector this summer. They were real cool. We thought they were drowning at first... Would love an episode on them.

[@paulwhite9242]

Those were my oldest kids first pet! Got them as adults, they bred a few times but we never got babies up to maturity. But he'd just sit and watch them swim around the 29 gallon tank for an hour at a whack, which for a hyper 8 year old was amazing. had three of them in a planted 29 gallon with emergent wood, rocks and vegetation. I helped him tong feed meal and superworms, we used rosy reds, and crickets as well.

[@Tigerpuffer]

I have kept these, and they're awesome. Very low maintenance but always impressive to observe and feed. The care doesn't get any easier. Worth noting though that belastomatidae is a pretty big family, and these insects vary wildly in size. Another variable is flight ability. Some species are very strong flyers, and others have fused wing casings and cannot fly at all.

[@timapiepgrass8702]

Cool!

[@Aquarimax]

@@Tigerpuffer true! I also have an Abedus species. Much smaller!

[@Kargoneth]

I discovered a member of ranatra (a type of water scorpion) on my recent vacation. It was so spindly, like a stick insect. The way that it swam was graceful and hypnotic.

[@theodoretibbitts9538]

This was interesting because we keep getting water boatman in our pool and our kids recently got bit, so even though these bugs are not closely related, it did lead me to look them up and confirm they do have stabby mouthparts that inject digestive enzymes, explaining my why kids complained of a stinging sensation.

[@mystra13]

"downstairs digit nibblers", sounds like a human baby in the crawling phase.

[@suran396]

I certainly don't want those creatures taking a bite at my downstairs!!!!

[@42ZaphodB42]

Good band name!

[@annabellethepitty]

Needs to be an all female punk band.

[@williamelliott186]

Armie hammer on Facebook like:

[@Hi_Im_Akward]

I love Russ and his channel. He has such a nice calm voice and clearly has a passion for the animals he keeps. I have some phobias and invertebrates but there have been several species he's shown that I get genuinely excited about and interested in. It's amazing how someone with a passion can share it and change some people's emotions about it.

[@manadoria]

lol ... "grown coyote howl"

[@holdenroberts6973]

Clint's bewildered face as his friend explains that the sting wasn't that bad was perfect. Either his bug was a particularly weak-venomed one, or that man was an absolute tank.

[@Aquarimax]

😁

[@auroraourania7161]

tbh pain levels from bites and stings vary a ton person to person

[@Aquarimax]

@@auroraourania7161 Great point!

[@jacobesterson]

@@auroraourania7161 Yeah I've seen a bunch of people throw shade at Coyote but he doesn't have to be faking it, he could just have the pain tolerence of a kid. I know that sounds harsh but it's better than faking it.

[@ev6558]

@@jacobesterson I really don't think that it is.

[@Alatreon2435]

Hey Clint, I was just rewatching some of your old monitor videos and I noticed that in the Timor monitor video, you said it was a "blue-spotted Timor". Those have been reclassified into "Varanus auffenbergi" or peacock monitors. It'd be nice to have that video retitled because Timor monitors and peacock monitors are separate species, and peacocks/blue-spotted Timors are endangered, while Timors/Varanus timorensis are least concern.

[@OlgaAndreyeva]

why comment on this video instead of the monitor one? because this one is most recent? or are you commenting on all of them? wouldnt email be more effective? just curious sorry dont mean to be rude

[@Alatreon2435]

@@OlgaAndreyeva Only commented on this oneand yes it's because it was the most recent.

[@walker2345]

Bug bites and stings can be categorized by how long a grown man will roll around on the ground and scream. A honeybee is like 15 minutes. A yellowjacket is 30 minutes, etc.

[@saltykraken9471]

I usually roll around atleast a few hours my wife thinks giving birth is hard but she has no idea.

[@suran396]

What???? I was recently stung 14 times by yellowjackets. Only screamed during actual stings. And childbirth was worse, but not emotionally.

[@amaureaLua]

@@suran396 They were parodying Coyote Peterson's exaggerated reactions to stings.

[@walker2345]

@@suran396 childbirth wasn't painful for me as I can remember. I just came right out.

[@AncientWildTV]

How does the pain and reaction to a sting from a honeybee compare to that of a yellowjacket??

[@SaintArcane]

I suddenly feel the urge to put on some shoes.

[@julialewis8794]

Crocs

[@MrMickthemonster]

Make sure you check them for bitey things first

[@TheBT]

Me too, but that's because I need to get something from my car.

[@saltykraken9471]

Army boots and double socks lol

[@TheBT]

Update... I went out to the car in bare feet 'cause I'm a rebel

[@miketufaro5915]

Hooray another “is this the right pet for you?” Video! The more I watch this video the more intrigued I am by this creature.

[@cara9648]

Yay another best pet video! I love this series. These bugs are awesome. Glad you covered them with Rus.

[@Aquarimax]

@@cara9648 😁

[@RealShebang]

These are where I live! I see these at work occasionally! I didn't know what it was when I first saw it, I said "Wow! What an amazing beetle!!" and I got excited because I'm always excited when I see a new creature. I noticed, however, that he seemed really interested in me -- which struck me as highly unusual, normally our little friends don't pay us a whole lot of attention. This guy kept eye contact with me. I decided I keep my distance and when I looked up what he was, this turned out to be a good idea.

[@Makszi]

"Downstairs digit nibblers" may be the most inappropriate thing Clint's ever said on camera 😂

[@lorrainemunoa791]

Oh no find out about turkeys.

[@bruzanhd]

I remember the first time I encountered these I was shocked at their size. It flew into the glass door of my gas and made loud THUD. Honestly thought it was a bird or a bat. Then I went outside to see what I was and was very disappointed that I moved into a place with BUGS that large.

[@williampotts4404]

adopted a tegu little less than a month ago and could not be happier thank you clint

[@saltykraken9471]

If I had the space I'd definitely give one a try. Enjoy your lizard dog lol. They look stinkin rad

[@Mermare]

Jealous!

[@1Thatstrangeguy]

I caught one when I was a kid and after a few days I put a minnow in to feed it and I was totally shocked at just how voracious of a predator the toe biter really is. Freaked me out so much I decided to let it go.

[@Trundlebugg]

Watching Russ is a danger to keeping my isopod enclosures to one stack…I must stay strong!

[@Aquarimax]

🤣😂😁

[@MaskedPwnzorz]

Clowning on coyote Peterson is too funny.

[@AuroraExotics]

This is the insect of legends where I grew up in the boreal forest! We swore we were chased by them while wading in the shallows of local lakes. I found them flying around the big gas station lights when I was in college, and my friends and I took turns placing one on each other like a fancy bitey brooch pin while bar hopping. When I lived in California, I ate them at a Vietnamese restaurant. I never considered them as pets, but it appears they do quite well! Super unexpected, and very cool!

[@Eisenwulf666]

"Because...well,you've met Russ" 😂😂😂

[@Aquarimax]

😁

[@hyperchord]

That Brave Wilderness guy is a drama queen

[@pancakestackona]

Wasn't it proven that his reaction was completely fake by that guy that took multiple stings and barely flinched?

[@absalomvane7776]

@@pancakestackona Are you talking about when they went to the Amazon and let themselves get hit by bullet ants, and it wasn't a big deal?

[@hyperchord]

@@pancakestackona The only proof I'll deem acceptable is Coyote admitting to it. But til then, Ill speculate

[@MisterSpriggan]

@@hyperchordto be fair venom affects people very differently. I just take it as it could be as bad as he shows it. Might not be that way for everyone haha

[@GoldenToiletAngel]

@@MisterSpriggan the venom from the same animal would not affect different people very differently, no. It's always the same venom and works the same since its chemistry and contents stay the same, and because biochemistry it's interacting with works the same way across individuals. Pain tolerance varies between individuals, if that's what you were aiming at.

[@VenomsDad]

Always a great video with these two collaborating ❤

[@Aquarimax]

😁

[@benswartz6387]

1:10 “not to mention the venom” oh my

[@Avenger5412]

Hey Clint great video! I was wondering do you think you could do a full phylogeny of all of Arthropoda down the line?

[@ClintsReptiles]

Almost certainly!

[@HunterSW11]

Coyote Peterson catching strays…

[@youaredednotbigsouprice5692]

When I was about 8 years old, I used to go into the forest with friends and for a time we frequented a small pond where frogs used to spawn. we looked at the surface of the water for small bubbles because we knew newts where there going for air and then tried to catch them to get a better look. The surface of the water was too clouded to see beyond an inch and one day, I went to grab one of the newts only to suddenly find a huge bug in my hand. This scared the crap out of me and I never went to catch another newt again. Thank you for finally showing what that bug I caught that day actually was. Only now do I realize how fortunate I was for instantly dropping it after realizing it wasn't an amphibian xD

[@00110000]

Here in Thailand, you can sometimes find them being sold in markets as food. They're pretty rare and a bit expensive (comparatively), but they taste amazing. Totally rich and unique flavor.

[@joesmith4546]

I was looking for a comment addressing this since there is a grocery that sells them here in the USA near me. Do you have any recommendations on how to prepare them?

[@00110000]

@joesmith4546 Honestly I'm not sure. My grandpa would always buy them from the market and we never cooked them. They weren't exactly raw. If I had to guess, I think they were brined beforehand, and then maybe steamed (they were pretty salty, considering they're freshwater bugs). We would eat the females by scooping out the insides. The ones with lots of eggs were especially mouthwatering. The males would be crushed whole and added to jeaw, an isan version of nam prik, to add a distinct aroma and aftertaste. I haven't had it nor even seen it in years. Good luck with the quest!

[@joesmith4546]

@@00110000 Considering that I have a lead for a likely way to prepare them, and a tasty Thai dish to try them in to understand one of the ways that they have been integrated into a cuisine, it seems that you've already given me a lot of luck with my quest already! Thanks, friend! If I remember to do this, would you like me to report back with my results?

[@ryokinor6223]

I found one about two weeks ago in a creek that emptied into Lake Superior, right on the beach. It was dead, not just faking. It was about the same size as the one shown.

[@hasmas5951]

The digit nibbler isn't as bad as the rumours said it would be. How curious.

[@physetermacrocephalus2209]

These reptiles are getting crazier every week bruh 😂

[@KAZVorpal]

I'm not aware of a single adult insect that has real gills. I think it's problematic that some people refer to an air bubble on the abdomen of a diving arthropod as a "physical gill", as that's confusing, and a bit deceptive. The actual, anatomical parts of those insects are just normal trachea. The so-called gill is nothing but an air bubble stuck to their abdomen, which obviously is not a gill in any sense of retaining an evolutionary trait.

[@Kris_Lighthawk]

True, no adult insects have true gills. They are all dependent on going to the surface for air, even if some can stay underwater for quite some time.

[@KAZVorpal]

@@Kris_Lighthawk Well, the premise of so-called "physical gills" (silly name) is that the air bubble, itself, acts as a gas exchange so that the insects can, in theory, stay underwater longer than the buildup of CO2 in the air trapped. As it builds up, it dissolves into the water along the surface of the bubble. But calling that a "gill" is confusing and hyperbolic.

[@SockyNoob]

Toebiters are so freaking cute. I'm sorry but I can't take anything seriously with big ole eyes like that xD. 2:42 JUST LOOK AT THAT PRECIOUS FACE!!!

[@ImpendingJoker]

More common names are Giant Water Bug and Alligator Flea. I was bitten by one of these once when working on a tropical fish farm in my home state of Florida. Were we using a seine net to get the last of the fish from the pond before pumping it dry, and putting lye the bottom before changing to a new species of fish, when the foot that didn't have the bottom of the net under it, got bitten between my toes. My buddy said, just put your foot in the mud and let the mud go between your toes, and within minutes the pain was gone and we just kept working. Ahh...good times.

[@jbomb7867]

One of my favorite bugs I'm so hyped that you made this

[@HenriqueLSilva]

Coyote Peterson is the more dramatic version of the person that calmly ranks the pain they're currently feeling as 10/10 (and then upon being told that a 10/10 would mean a pain so agonizingly great they'd be unable to do anything other than cry, scream and throw up, change it to a 9/10). Anyway, loved this one. Definitely one of my top favorite true bugs.

[@d012k-n5t]

It's a miracle that coyote Peterson is still alive LOL

[@BlakeN-o6l]

Not really. You missed the point. Clint is mocking Coyote. He fakes his reactions for money.

[@ressljs]

I always enjoy Clint's enthusiasm and joy when talking about animals. The good vibes are so infectious! But I look at these gross bugs, I can't help but think I'm getting bad advice. He can geek out all he wants and I'll still be thinking, "Nope! Not letting that into my house (or my heart)!"

[@c5365]

But the bitey thing loves you! ................maybe.

[@ressljs]

@@c5365 When I see how much he loves me, it just melts my insides. LITERALLY.

[@randomnumbers84269]

I like that to get 3/5 for handelability on this channel you only need to be able to be (carefully) liftable.

[@CainXVII]

Bunnies got a bad rap though. They got 3/5 just because you need to hold a hand under their butt when you lift them...

[@randomnumbers84269]

@@CainXVII for me cudliness would definitely earn extra points.

[@polishedopals8667]

Caught one as a kid, thinking it was a frog. Got stung. Not nice, but it didn't feel particularly bad, either at the time or after.

[@MusicFreak0426]

Russ is such an awesome guy sharing all he does with us! ❤

[@tylerlee7851]

I was working on a research project with my professor studying species diversity in channelized vs restored path streams and had the pleasure of taking a bite from one of these guys and let me tell you it sucked like really really sucked. I had a hornet get down my shirt once and I would take that sting any day over this bite. They are awesome but man do they suck if they bite and they suck a little bit more if they find their way into your waders.

[@sarahmccalip1999]

When we were doing a unit on bugs when I was a kid in school, these were my favorites!

[@LydiaTarine12]

This seems like it would be an excellent candidate for one of those big terrariums, one with a decently sized pool of water and a decently sized chunk of land and good vertical space. Let the bug use all its assets!

[@timapiepgrass8702]

I'm going to be sharing this video so often!

[@Aquarimax]

👍👍👍

[@venttale2668]

I kept one of these as a Pet when I was 10, found it outside here in Florida. My Mother had a major in biology and i can say this was one of the coolest pets I owned. Especially when I would explain to a teacher that I had a pet venomous Flying cockroach with praying mantis arms that could kill fish at home.

[@keksidy]

Something has gone seriously wrong if bugs are the ones hunting frogs here lmao

[@NeighborNick.]

Awesome video about one of my favorite animals and I HIGHLY recommend you do a video about predacious diving beetles at some point! they are super interesting to watch in a 20 gallon planted tank, it’s like keeping a insect/piranha/turtle collage. By far the most entertaining invert I’ve ever kept.

[@artsyapple6509]

Clint roasts people in the most polite and classiest way.

[@Herbilizard]

thank you so much for covering these cute and lovely creatures

[@MK-Ultra-o7]

I turned over a rock that was imbedded in some clay mud right on the edge of a pond. Like it was suctioned to the mud. And one of these was poking out of the water that started to fill the rocks divot in the mud. I was 12-14. And I screamed like a girl and then ran away. I had never seen a big that big I had never knew there were bugs like that in Michigan. Even though I was looking for critters under rocks that thing scared the bejesus out of me

[@MK-Ultra-o7]

Oh but yea they also can burrow into mud was what I was getting at. It wasn't a rock that it could crawl under it had to have dug into the mud.

[@Gr8tBlueHeron]

I did not know these creatures existed until one landed on my shoulder. 20 years later that was still the single most terrifying moment of my life.

[@lorddevilfish5868]

I have seen these in person up in the mountains of Arizona, they’re an animal I expect to find in the most remote jungles of the Amazon, here but they are!

[@smrtfasizmu7242]

Lol when I was in the Air Force stationed in South Carolina the Crew Chiefs liked to get the Giant Waterbugs all riled up then throw them at other Crew Chiefs. Luckily they left everyone else out of their madness.

[@PRIM1984]

4:17 to be fair, cody has surgically implanted and removed multiple magnets in his fingertips on his own, and spends his spare time in an abandoned copper mine I don't think the man knows what pain means.

[@Valhalla1987]

Love how Russ is wearing a Clints Reptile Academy shirt. Great to see two of my favorite KZbinrs in the same video.

[@miheepark3990]

coyote peterson montage

[@alicemilton8756]

I really enjoyed this, had no idea these existed

[@azurehanyo]

Today I learned that Coyotes are one of the few animals to possess negative pain tolerance.

[@elrondorio]

In 1985 I experienced my only contact with "giant water bugs" - I was stationed at Fort Polk, Louisiana at the time and I drove to the new movie theater outside of Leesville to watch a flick. When the movie was over it was dark outside and the parking lot lighting attracted a swarm of these insects, averaging 2 inches in length but definitely this type of bug (I brushed them off of my car carefully, but they seemed too sluggish to care at the time.)

[@miarue5322]

I used to work at an hotel's pool as a waitress last summer, and I would catch several of these toe-biters every day out of the water. I felt bad to have to do that, but the well-being of the guests at the pool was my priority :,) I just hope those little guys found a better home

[@seldoonxib]

"frogs, turtles, and other aquatic fishes" I see what you did there

[@CrookedSight0]

Your enthusiasm is contagious, keep up the good work

[@I_AM_NV_]

So excited to see more best pet episodes!!