This may seem like an ignorant question, but I've been teaching Biology for about 5 months now. My students enjoy all of the interesting creatures I have in my classroom (1 fire salamander, 2 eastern mud turtles, a few crayfish), and I love teaching them about all of the exotic pets that many people have as well as the strange and unique organisms that inhabit this planet.

My question is this, I saw Wellington tree wetas on a UK based pet website. I've always had an interest in wetas and other members of Anostostomatidae and have even thought about keeping some. I do realize that most weta species are protected by law, but is the Wellington tree weta considered common? What are the laws for import into the US (I know customs can be really draconian when it comes to foreign arthropods). Are there any other king crickets that would be good for a classroom? I thought tree wetas would have been a good choice considering they are more commensal than other species. Jerusalem crickets, Parktown prawns are ideas of mine as well. Thank you for any replies!

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