An *Icky* “Learning Moment”

5. June 2008 by Shannon.

Sometimes, as homeschool moms, we have to “suck it up” and “put on an interested face” so that our children can REALLY get to know God’s Kingdom… even the icky parts.. (or what *I* think are the icky parts anyhow… LOL!).

I’m speaking about BUGS.  I do NOT like bugs.  I know God made them, I know they are “facinating” and everything, but still.. ewwww!

SO, you can just imagine my “delight” when my 14 year old son comes home with THIS in a container:

Ya, um, that thing is as long as the palm of my hand (it was about 15 cms!!)!!!  *shudder*

BUT… like a good homeschool mommy, I sucked it up and decided to take pictures, and videos, and show it off to my 5 year old son.. (okay, if HE comes home with one too.. then we might have to rethink this whole “learning moment” thing… !!!

Luckily my 3 year old was asleep.. she EATS bugs!!! *grin and shudder*

Okay… so this is what we found out about our little friend, “Millie”:

(From Wikipedia) Narceus americanus is a large North American millipede. It inhabits the eastern seaboard of the United States and southeastern Canada. It is one of the largest North American millipede species, reaching a length of four inches. When threatened, it releases a noxious liquid that contains small amounts of hydrogen cyanide and pigments that stain surfaces brown. This fluid may irritate eyes or skin and cause allergic reactions in venom sensitive people.

There was also this link: http://webs.lander.edu/rsfox/invertebrates/narceus.html

And for my french friends (living in Quebec, I do have some… *grin*) I located this very good article about them: http://montoit.cyberpresse.ca/jardinage/articles/2737-Repoussants-mais-inoffensifs-mille-pattes.html

 So, harmless but HUGE - what a “cool” bug, eh? 

Blessings!

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