How to Hold Animals The Calming Art of Connecting with Creatures Big and Small

About this book

In this charming and unique book, Japanese animal photographer and former zookeeper Toshimitsu Matsuhashi describes the best practices for picking up animals of all shapes and sizes, from Japanese rhinoceros beetles, butterflies and tarantulas, to chinchillas and hedgehogs, as well as cats and dogs.

This book is for anyone, big or small, experienced or otherwise, to learn how to approach and pick up over forty different animals with respect and care, without causing them any unnecessary distress. Since this book was originally published in Japan, the selection of animals is inevitably geared towards those common in Asia. Toshimitsu places the animal’s safety and comfort at the forefront of everything. A very useful compendium for zookeepers, veterinarians, and wildlife professionals dealing with small animals.

Contents

Foreword   2
How to use this book   4

1. Creatures around you
- Japanese rhinoceros beeteles   12
- Stag beetles   14
- Longhorn beetles   16
- Grasshoppers and crickets   18
- Praying mantis   21
- Dragonflies   22
- Butterflies   24
- Aquatic insects   26
- Crayfish   28
- Crabs   30
- Snails and slugs   32
- Frogs and toads   34
- Lizards   36
- Snakes   38

Before picking up creatures you find in the great outdoors   40

2. Insects, arachnids, unusual pets
- Scorpions   46
- Tarantulas   48
- Large rhinoceros beetles   50
- Large stag beetles   54
- Cockroaches and millipedes   54
- Long-tailed chinchillas   56
- Chipmunks   58
- Sugar gliders   60
- Hamsters   62
- Fancy mice   64
- Chickens   66

How to get a rhinoceros beetle off your hand   68
Getting an angry beetle out of its box   69

3. Pet mammals and birds
- Dogs   74
- Cats   76
- Ferrets   78
- Rabbits   80
- Budgerigars   82
- Sunda scops owls    84
- Prairie dogs   86
- Hedgehogs   88

Cutting claws   90
My speciality hold spirit   92

4. Reptiles
- Monitor lizards    96
- Medium-sized lizards   98
- Common leopard geckos   100
- Tokay geckos   102
- Medium-sized non-venomous snakes   104
- Slow-worms   108
- Snake-necked turtles   110
- Softshell turtles   112

Dangerous creatures   114
Afterword   118
Creatures appearing in this book   120
Where the professionals work: shops, animal hospital, zoo   125
 

Customer Reviews

Biography

After working for a while at an aquarium, Toshimitsu Matsuhashi decided to become an animal photographer. He produces children's books using his photos of animals of the seashore, wildlife, aquarium and zoo, as well as unusual pets.