In fact the only "pet" I have at the moment is a fast growing mantis that I captured as a nymph, and these animals are highly recommended for kids too, I would say.
These pictures were taken on TaiMoShan, only days apart, and you do not have to have great gear to have fun, as these were all taken using an Olympus Tough TG5. (Having said that, it takes great macro, but perhaps struggles with larger subjects; but it weighs a lot less than the normal 10kg of gear i carry).
And another completely different species.
