8 new babies…

A while back before Alec’s birthday Pam called and said be sure to open Alec’s present when you get it –part of it is perishable. I agreed and didn’t think too much into it…I was thinking maybe her kids (young adults) had make Alec cupcakes. They are very creative in the kitchen. So when the box showed up that said LIVE INSECTS – I did a double take. Huh. Then I did a silent little oath to  put a hex on her if she sent us an ant farm. With my luck…I would somehow let the buggers free and we would have an ant problem.  But instead it was a box full of happiness.

Caterpillars! And bonus…they stayed in their little self-sustaining cups until they formed their chrysalis’. No chance of critter escapes!

We watched them get bigger and bigger and bigger and finally they formed their chrysalis and we moved them into the butterfly habitat. 

And we waited…for what seemed like forever but was really more like 5 days.  One night I commented to Erik that maybe we hurt them in transfer because nothing was happening – I got up and looked into the habitat– and there was a butterfly. Just like that.

And those sneaky little creatures…they never hatched (is that what they do?) when we were around. We left for a doctor appointment and there was 1. We got home and 2 more appeared. We moved 8 chrysalis’ and all 8 hatched over a few days. Luckily the book told us there would be red stuff and not to worry – it wasn’t blood- it’s left over tissue they don’t need. It’s a little discerning when you first see it. 

We fed them for a few days. It was fun to watch them. We all got a little attached.

After much coaxing that the butterflies would be much happier outside; Alec relented and it was time to set him them free. We unzipped  and waited.

They were timid but 1 finally flew the coup. And over time most took flight.

We had one that never left. He sat very patiently while I took his picture. I think his wings were not quite ready yet-so we zipped it back up and brought him back in for the day/night. We’ll try again in a few days.

Thanks Simmons family. We had a great time with this!