“Why is there a black billiard ball in my bathroom?” I wondered, looking down at a rounded thing next to the broom and dustpan sitting nearby the toilet.

I went in for a closer look when. . . poof!!

That ball suddenly enlarged itself and got a whole lot bigger.

Welcome to Laos, home of all sorts of interesting critters which fascinate and intrigue.

My guest was what is known as a banded bullfrog. A quick search on the Internet found this description on Wikipedia:

“The banded bullfrog (Kaloula pulchra) is a species of frog in the narrow-mouthed frog family Microhylidae. Native to Southeast Asia, it is also known as the Asian painted frog, digging frog, Malaysian bullfrog, common Asian frog, and painted balloon frog. In the pet trade, it is sometimes called the chubby frog. Adults measure 5.4 to 7.5 cm (2.1 to 3.0 in) and have a dark brown back with stripes that vary from copper-brown to salmon pink.”

Poor little guy was obviously scared out of its wits. I had no idea how it got into my home, which is well-sealed from any such reptilian intrusions. Aside from the geckos, which can slither under doorways, this puffed-up bullfrog was a mystery.

I managed to scoop him up, carried him outside and deposited him in a shaded area where he could easily find shelter from the sizzling sun.

Another Surprising Entity

Wouldn’t you know it, as soon as I walked back to my open doorway another fascinating insect appeared alongside the pool. After taking several pictures, I hightailed it back inside to find out just what kind of insect I was looking at.

This is a water scorpion. My research resulted in the following:

“An underwater predator, the water scorpion hides among dead leaves where it waits to ambush its prey (such as tadpoles and small fish) with its grabbing pincer-like legs. It is known to bite, but its not very painful for humans. It lives in still-water ponds and lakes, and is common around the shallow edges of garden ponds. It is not a true scorpion and is a poor swimmer, preferring to move by walking. Mating takes place in spring and the females lay their eggs at night among algae or plants just below the surface of the water. The larvae hatch and progress to adulthood through a series of moults known as an ‘incomplete metamorphosis’

One interesting fact concerning this one: “The long ‘tail’ of the water scorpion is actually a siphon used for breathing: it protrudes above the water’s surface and acts just like a snorkel.”

Another Inside Visitor

I realize a majority of people don’t care for such creatures but for me, I’ve always found them fascinating. This goes for the scurrying, long-legged big guy who was climbing up my walls in the bedroom. With broom and dustpan, I managed to get him out the door into the sunshine.

What was it? Take a look!

Here we have what is known as the Giant Huntsman Spider – Heteropoda maxima.

This is one of the largest spiders in the world (going by leg length) and lives solely in Laos. It can have a leg span of up to 30 centimeters (11 inches).

My research reported the following: “The giant huntsman spider is found in Laos, and is believed to be a cave dweller because of its pale color, long legs and special hairs on the second foot of the male. There is no apparent reduction of the eyes, possibly because the species lives near cave entrances.”

Not sure why it was in my apartment, which is certainly not a cave-dwelling environment, but in my apartment it was.

He (or she) was a fast one, too, but I managed to get this arachnid outside into the sunshine where it sat, a tad stunned, until whisking itself away into the shade of a nearby potted plant.

My Favorite: The House Gecko

Spiders, toads, scorpions . . . .Of all my new-found Laotian life forms , if I had to choose a favorite, it would be the gecko. Ants a problem? Mosquitos? Gnats? Flies? Cockroaches? Water bugs?

The house gecko of Laos is a fast one, plastered against the wall and hovering around bright lights where fluttering insect feasts are to be had.

The Suntisouk Center is full of these Gekkonidae (scientific name), scampering up the walls of my office or gathered nightly outside the outer corridor where strong lights attract all sorts of bugs. In my home, the geckos sometimes chirp their contentment while getting rid of those pesky mosquitos that buzz around my head late at night. Definitely a welcome presence in my home, much more than the spiders, toads and scorpions.

So how about you all? Anyone fancy one of my Laos visitors? Or are you busy with your own captivating critters to deal with?

Here’s hoping your week is as happy as mine: It’s Laos New Year holidays! I have a full week off for myself and the staff, which I will say is much deserved.

More on that for my. next entry. Visit my site again soon!

Connie in Vientiane