These are two crickets we got at the Pet Market in Beijing.

They’re lifespan in 100 days. In Chinese they’re called ‘e-bai gougur’, i.e. 100 day insects. Crickets are very popular in China, for example, our taxi driver had two with him, lovingly kept in a small gourd inside his shirt. They chirp all day long and keep him company.

A few things I learnt since we got them.

Talk to them and they come to life. They sleep a lot. Usually handing upside down.

They respond to music, esp soft rhythms and classical, not hard rock.

They sing when lonely, looking for a mate, or when threatened.

Don’t use a flash if taking photos. They have no eyelids and get blinded/stunned.

Don’t put them together. They fight for dominance.

Don’t try to hold them – you’ll snap their legs by accident. Caress them away from you, i.e. outwards; go with the grains, so to speak.

Don’t give them cucumber – it gives them diarrhea. I know...

They bite, so be careful. Doesn’t break the skin, but surprising all the same.