TV Host Bugs Out

"Batman" may be grabbing all the attention with his new movie, but "Bugman" who is better known as Ruud Kleinpaste is making a run of his own on the small screen with the new show, "Buggin' With Ruud."

The show offers a unique look at some of nature's most fascinating critters, but Kleinpaste tells The Early Show co-anchor Hannah Storm, "It is not just about creepy crawlies. Let's have a look at the planet. Let's have a look at the creepy crawlies in the planet."

As Storm bravely kept a distance, Kleinpaste had some fun showing off his favorite critters, taking them out of the holding cages one by one. To make sure the bugs didn't get loose, he let each crawl on his face, hands and arms. He even put an Avondale or Huntsman spider in his mouth.

He says, "These things are revered Down Under because they live in your house and they come out at night. They catch the hornet; they catch the flies."

The New Zealand native not only can completely flatten itself out, but also sits motionless on walls and then rushes after the prey. It very quickly devours the prey, sucking all the juices out and discarding the hard outer pieces. This is the spider featured in the film, "Arachnophobia."

Since the Tailless Whip scorpions do not have a sting, and thus no venom, Kleinpaste let it pinch his nose. "Don't do this at home, please," Kleinpaste said. These scorpions have pincers and can nip.

"How about finding this in your corn flakes," Kleinpaste said holding up a Giant Madagascar Hissing Cockroach. The 3-inch wingless bug has the unusual ability to produce sound if you hassle it.

"Cockroaches are the cleanest and the best creatures in world," Kleinpaste noted, "They are recyclists; they are doing fantastic. They keep cleaning up the mess 24/7, for free."

And holding a Giant Black millipede close to his mouth, he showed off its legs. Usually found in jungles, Kleinpaste said, they are also recyclists.

Other bugs he didn't get to showcase because of time restrictions were the Vinegaroon and the Gold-Kneed Tarantula.

Vinegaroons are nocturnal and have poor vision, relying on vibrations to locate prey. They are more commonly found in desert areas but they have also been reported in grassland, scrub, pine forests, and mountains. Considered non-poisonous, they can pinch; they are also capable of spraying a mist from the scent glands at the base of the tail when disturbed.

Gold-Kneed Tarantulas are mostly nocturnal and proficient predators of insects and other small invertebrates.

"Buggin' with Ruud" airs every Wednesday night at 8 p.m. on Animal Planet.