A man in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province, has 40 reptiles including lizards, scorpions and black spiders, which he keeps as pets inside his home, the West China Metropolis Daily reported.

Wu Xiaokang, 23, said he likes to live with the animals.

"In fact, the reptiles are the same as other pets and have feelings for people who keep them. They will instinctively resist if they feel the environment is strange, but they can perceive your feeling if you are friendly," Wu said.

Wu has also built a website to share stories with other reptile lovers.

(China Daily February 9, 2009)