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Mighty or Giant Mealworms. How Safe?
#690954
12/12/08 04:59 PM
12/12/08 04:59 PM
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DARON
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DARON
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If you look at Exotic Nutrition Web Page they now offer giant mealworms but they state you should not feed them as food to animals because of the hormone they are fed. I know a lot of people feed them to their suggies, but Im curious aabout opinions on this matter. I usually feed the Giants.
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Re: Mighty or Giant Mealworms. How Safe?
[Re: ]
#690958
12/12/08 05:06 PM
12/12/08 05:06 PM
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Lizz
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Lizz
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I don't understand why they would sell giant mealworms if you couldn't feed them to animals...
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Re: Mighty or Giant Mealworms. How Safe?
[Re: ]
#690961
12/12/08 05:15 PM
12/12/08 05:15 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,894 NW Missouri
princessmegi
Serious Glideritis
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Serious Glideritis
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,894
NW Missouri
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I have talked with Grubco about this and they assured me that their Mighty Mealies are safe for animal consumption.
"My doctrine is this: that if we see cruelty or wrong that we have the power to stop, and we do nothing, we make ourselves sharers in the guilt." ~ Anna Sewell, English Novelist
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Re: Mighty or Giant Mealworms. How Safe?
[Re: princessmegi]
#690986
12/12/08 06:11 PM
12/12/08 06:11 PM
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DARON
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DARON
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Lizz, I agree. They have the Giants listed under Fishing Bait. with a disclaimer not to feed to animals. I usually get my from Herpfood & they assured me they are fine. My little girls like them better & they seem to last longer in the fridge. I was really just curious about what others felt.
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Re: Mighty or Giant Mealworms. How Safe?
[Re: MatchMakerMagic]
#691211
12/13/08 12:28 AM
12/13/08 12:28 AM
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 239 Orem, UT
kipluck
Glider Explorer
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Glider Explorer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 239
Orem, UT
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I've asked several of the suppliers of the "Mighty Mealies" for the hormone (and/or pesticide in some cases) they use to spray the mealies with/feed them, and none will disclose the info.
In my research however (a post can be found with the info at the link in my siggy) I found that most often the chemicals used to cause the over growth of the mealies DOES indeed cause harm to mammals (liver damage), and especially aquatic animals(extremely poisonous). Additionally some companies/suppliers use normal mealworm pesticides instead of growth hormones (cheaper!) as some pesticides are designed to break the mealie life cycle by not allowing mealworms to turn to pupa and cause abnormal large growth... Causing "Mighty Mealies", but again no one will disclose. Many only provide a feeding warning.
But without knowing WHAT your mealworm provider uses, it’s not possible to know if you’re feeding a chemical to your gliders, and the warning from Exotic Nutrition is right on! Which is pretty much why I have quit feeding ANY commercial mealworms. Granted, my initial stock came from Grubco, I think (now I have forgotten) but my mealies are SEVERAL generations removed now anyway, since it's been a couple years. I just don't trust anyone it seems. My roomie grows an organic garden... I grow organic bugs! hee hee! I am going to start raising Hissers next month (YAY! I am excited!!!) and have been thinking about crickets too, but have done crickets in the past and hated the smell. I have also thought about mice (since I love them as pets anyway!) but don't know if I could KILL them! How do people who raise them as feeders kill them humanely? See, I am considering SELLING feeders (Hissing Cockroaches... as pets, too, mealies, etc) locally and thought it would be profitable to branch out, but I don't know how to kill things nicely that have such sweet faces. Mostly, though, I just wanted to not feed my babies chemicals. My gliders or my turtle.
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Re: Mighty or Giant Mealworms. How Safe?
[Re: chattrbabe]
#691727
12/13/08 08:04 PM
12/13/08 08:04 PM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 928 Poynette, WI
sketchyglider
Glider Guardian
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Glider Guardian
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 928
Poynette, WI
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Jessee slave to: Ender & Valentine and 1 non-fuzzy kid Carleigh I am SOOOOOO happy to finally be able to have my gliders back home with me! I have missed my babies soo much <3
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Re: Mighty or Giant Mealworms. How Safe?
[Re: MatchMakerMagic]
#691789
12/13/08 10:05 PM
12/13/08 10:05 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,983 Denton, TX
ValkyrieMome
Glideritis Anonymous
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Glideritis Anonymous
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,983
Denton, TX
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Super worms bite! I think Mighties and Giants are the same as just mealworms - only they are hormonally charged.
Alden "Animals can communicate quite well. And they do. And generally speaking, they are ignored." Alice Walker
Mom to Valhalla; 6 cats; 1 macaw; 2 hedgehogs; and very many great gliders!
(plus the 2 skin kids) valkyriegliders.com
Kyrie, nothing will ever fill the hole you left in my heart.
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Re: Mighty or Giant Mealworms. How Safe?
[Re: ValkyrieMome]
#693018
12/15/08 02:16 PM
12/15/08 02:16 PM
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DARON
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DARON
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Thats Correct Alden. Herpfood says their Giants(Mightes) are safe to feed. I have been feeding only Giant & Mighties from a few places the last couple years and never had one bite. (According to Herp they are not capable of biting, but the Super worms do). I have heard that before about supers & thats why I chose not to feed them to my crew.
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Re: Mighty or Giant Mealworms. How Safe?
[Re: ]
#693020
12/15/08 02:18 PM
12/15/08 02:18 PM
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DARON
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DARON
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I have had my farm now for about 8 months, but mine only get to large. Havent figured out how to grow Giants yet. I usually sell mine & buy Giants.
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Re: Mighty or Giant Mealworms. How Safe?
[Re: ]
#693039
12/15/08 02:46 PM
12/15/08 02:46 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,983 Denton, TX
ValkyrieMome
Glideritis Anonymous
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Glideritis Anonymous
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,983
Denton, TX
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Giants are hormonally charged. They are fed growth hormones. I don't feed giants to my gliders for that reason.
I don't think you can just grow them on your own ... you have to feed 'em growth hormones.
Alden "Animals can communicate quite well. And they do. And generally speaking, they are ignored." Alice Walker
Mom to Valhalla; 6 cats; 1 macaw; 2 hedgehogs; and very many great gliders!
(plus the 2 skin kids) valkyriegliders.com
Kyrie, nothing will ever fill the hole you left in my heart.
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Re: Mighty or Giant Mealworms. How Safe?
[Re: ValkyrieMome]
#693102
12/15/08 03:48 PM
12/15/08 03:48 PM
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DARON
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DARON
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Yeah your right. I've ben trying to find out what the hormone is & how to get it so I can grow them myself. My crew just likes them better because they are fat & crunch more.
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Re: Mighty or Giant Mealworms. How Safe?
[Re: ]
#693117
12/15/08 04:16 PM
12/15/08 04:16 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,894 NW Missouri
princessmegi
Serious Glideritis
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Serious Glideritis
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,894
NW Missouri
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Mighties/Giants do NOT bite. They are just a large mealworm. Superworms DO bite. They are not a mealworm, but a separate species.
"My doctrine is this: that if we see cruelty or wrong that we have the power to stop, and we do nothing, we make ourselves sharers in the guilt." ~ Anna Sewell, English Novelist
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Re: Mighty or Giant Mealworms. How Safe?
[Re: ]
#693138
12/15/08 05:22 PM
12/15/08 05:22 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,785 Port Saint Lucie, FL
MatchMakerMagic
Glider Addict
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Glider Addict
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,785
Port Saint Lucie, FL
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Yeah your right. I've ben trying to find out what the hormone is & how to get it so I can grow them myself. My crew just likes them better because they are fat & crunch more. Its not hard finding growth hormones for mealies, or even the pesticides that are sometimes used (like for bait worms). However what IS hard is finding out what the suppliers are using. The hormones are sold in bulk (barrels). And usually either sprayed directly onto the mealies or their feed. Good luck in your search. Do let us know what/if you find anything.
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Re: Mighty or Giant Mealworms. How Safe?
[Re: MatchMakerMagic]
#693140
12/15/08 05:24 PM
12/15/08 05:24 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,785 Port Saint Lucie, FL
MatchMakerMagic
Glider Addict
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Glider Addict
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,785
Port Saint Lucie, FL
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Oh, thought though I would mention - most of the ones I did find have adverse effects on mammals and aquatic species of animals. So if you do find one, be sure to make sure you look up the effects on gliders. I was highly disappointed to find out the "popular" ones were toxic to many kinds of species.
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Re: Mighty or Giant Mealworms. How Safe?
[Re: ]
#693164
12/15/08 06:06 PM
12/15/08 06:06 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,894 NW Missouri
princessmegi
Serious Glideritis
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Serious Glideritis
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,894
NW Missouri
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This is from Sherita Turner at Grubco.com
We do not use any type of hormone, chemical, pesticide, etc. to raise mighty mealys.
"My doctrine is this: that if we see cruelty or wrong that we have the power to stop, and we do nothing, we make ourselves sharers in the guilt." ~ Anna Sewell, English Novelist
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Re: Mighty or Giant Mealworms. How Safe?
[Re: MatchMakerMagic]
#693617
12/16/08 08:54 AM
12/16/08 08:54 AM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,894 NW Missouri
princessmegi
Serious Glideritis
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Serious Glideritis
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,894
NW Missouri
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They didn't say they used nothing, just not any hormones, pesticides, chemicals, etc. I have asked them this twice now, once about 2 years ago.
"My doctrine is this: that if we see cruelty or wrong that we have the power to stop, and we do nothing, we make ourselves sharers in the guilt." ~ Anna Sewell, English Novelist
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Re: Mighty or Giant Mealworms. How Safe?
[Re: princessmegi]
#694091
12/16/08 10:13 PM
12/16/08 10:13 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,785 Port Saint Lucie, FL
MatchMakerMagic
Glider Addict
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Glider Addict
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,785
Port Saint Lucie, FL
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Well in the research I did I could not find a documented way to prevent or hold off the pupa stage (resulting in massive size) that was not chemical/pesticide or hormone. There was only minimal talk about a "natural" method that was also "minimally" effective.
Strange though they wont tell you how. That would concern me in itself.
Last edited by MatchMakerMagic; 12/16/08 10:14 PM. Reason: finished statement lol
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Re: Mighty or Giant Mealworms. How Safe?
[Re: MatchMakerMagic]
#694185
12/17/08 12:53 AM
12/17/08 12:53 AM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,894 NW Missouri
princessmegi
Serious Glideritis
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Serious Glideritis
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,894
NW Missouri
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I do notice with my mealies that they start getting smaller the longer I have them, even when they are out and continuously eating. Also, mine do go on to reproduce normally.
"My doctrine is this: that if we see cruelty or wrong that we have the power to stop, and we do nothing, we make ourselves sharers in the guilt." ~ Anna Sewell, English Novelist
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Re: Mighty or Giant Mealworms. How Safe?
[Re: princessmegi]
#694186
12/17/08 12:53 AM
12/17/08 12:53 AM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,894 NW Missouri
princessmegi
Serious Glideritis
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Serious Glideritis
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,894
NW Missouri
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Forgot to add that although they reproduce normally, their offspring are normal mealie size, and not mightie mealies.
"My doctrine is this: that if we see cruelty or wrong that we have the power to stop, and we do nothing, we make ourselves sharers in the guilt." ~ Anna Sewell, English Novelist
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Re: Mighty or Giant Mealworms. How Safe?
[Re: princessmegi]
#694648
12/17/08 05:35 PM
12/17/08 05:35 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,785 Port Saint Lucie, FL
MatchMakerMagic
Glider Addict
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Glider Addict
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,785
Port Saint Lucie, FL
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I had the exact opposite findings when I let the Mightys grow out. I kept two separate farms - one regular "large" mealies and one with the Mighties. The regulars are all the same size, and I've now had the chance to have several generations of them and they've remained the same "large" size the originals came.
However the Mighties were another story. Alot of them did turn into huge pupa, then died. Of the many pupa, some did finally (and I did notice it took them MUCH longer than the regular guys to change) morph to huge beetles, but some of the beetles were deformed looking. Strange upward pointing wings, creamy bodies showing and such. Very weird. But those beetles DID go on to reproduce, even though they aren't supposed to be able to. The "hormone" (or pesticide) is supposed to make them sterile. They produce less eggs in the same environment side by side as the regular mealies do, but they can reproduce. I've my own conclusions as to why, but either way unimportant.
What is interesting is for several more generations they were significantly larger, the first and second generations after that first complete life cycle they were the same size as the treated ones. Which meant to me it was some how etched into their DNA maybe. Who knows for sure. But they certainly were larger. Upon this discovery I did not use them for glider food any longer. Period. And began my research into mealie "hormones" and/or pesticides, and also requested the info from the venders who refused to disclose.
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Re: Mighty or Giant Mealworms. How Safe?
[Re: MatchMakerMagic]
#694668
12/17/08 06:21 PM
12/17/08 06:21 PM
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BelladonnasMom
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BelladonnasMom
Unregistered
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What is the size range for these categories??? I ordered mealies from NYWorms... and some of them are now over an inch long! Easily twice the size they were when I got them as mediums! LOL
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Re: Mighty or Giant Mealworms. How Safe?
[Re: ]
#694672
12/17/08 06:27 PM
12/17/08 06:27 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,894 NW Missouri
princessmegi
Serious Glideritis
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Serious Glideritis
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,894
NW Missouri
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Mighties are actually labeled as Giants or Mighties on the sites.
"My doctrine is this: that if we see cruelty or wrong that we have the power to stop, and we do nothing, we make ourselves sharers in the guilt." ~ Anna Sewell, English Novelist
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Re: Mighty or Giant Mealworms. How Safe?
[Re: princessmegi]
#694703
12/17/08 07:44 PM
12/17/08 07:44 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,785 Port Saint Lucie, FL
MatchMakerMagic
Glider Addict
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Glider Addict
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,785
Port Saint Lucie, FL
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Mighties are actually labeled as Giants or Mighties on the sites. Yep. They are twice as large/thick as the "large" size and are sold accordingly.
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Re: Mighty or Giant Mealworms. How Safe?
[Re: MatchMakerMagic]
#694714
12/17/08 08:07 PM
12/17/08 08:07 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,894 NW Missouri
princessmegi
Serious Glideritis
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Serious Glideritis
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,894
NW Missouri
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I know. I was trying to tell BellaDonnasMom that they are sold separately and it's not just a size thing. Meaning if she orders Med or Lg mealies and they are over an inch long that that makes them mighties or something. Pic 1 - Large Mealies on Left. Mightie Mealies on Right. 2 Large Aliens on Left. 2 Large Mightie Aliens on Right. Pic 2 - Mightie Mealie on top with Large Mealie directly under and against it. Pic 3 - Large Mealie on Quarter Pic 4 - Mightie Mealie on Quarter
"My doctrine is this: that if we see cruelty or wrong that we have the power to stop, and we do nothing, we make ourselves sharers in the guilt." ~ Anna Sewell, English Novelist
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