New pets!!! (MY Roaches are here)

Lankyrob · 01-14-11, 07:51 AM

Finally got them all settled in now - just got to get some breeding going before i start feeding them off to me lizards

They were just being kept in the plastic container with the eco earth - decided to give htem the extra space and plenty of climbing room so they now have the choice of where to go.

infernalis · 01-14-11, 10:24 AM

Nice, I'll tell ya Rob, their droppings look just like eco earth.

Don't clean out the poop, the babies will need it.

Fresh fruits and veggies, they love them. soft stuff like straberries, melon, squash, kiwi, things like that.

Lankyrob · 01-14-11, 11:07 AM

I got some roach food "free" as part of the purchase so am gonna mix that as part of their diet along with fruit - would they eat veggies as well or are they too tough?

infernalis · 01-14-11, 11:10 AM

They seem to prefer soft sugary things. I tried squash and they like it.

Lankyrob · 01-14-11, 11:13 AM

Ok - good to know.Carrot has been recommended for the fluid content - have you tried yours with carrots?

infernalis · 01-14-11, 11:24 AM

I will.. sounds reasonable.

I have a small water dish that is insect friendly, has rough walls so bugs can get out without drowning, works a charm.

belovedboas · 01-14-11, 11:46 AM

cool rob!!! I've heard (don't know much about roaches lol) that they are a great source of foood for lizards and such there dubias right?

Lankyrob · 01-14-11, 12:52 PM

Yes Dubia roaches. I decided to use the bug gel wayne, small plastic lid buried in the earth so that i can get it out easily to clean but the roaches dont habve to climb to get to it.

Jenn_06 · 01-14-11, 02:19 PM

you dont need the dirt they have live birth and keep them in the dark. i was told to feed them oranges it makes them breed better.

Lankyrob · 01-14-11, 02:35 PM

Just a quick question, how soon can you tell males from females? i know males have obvious wings as adults but how soon do they show? Definitely got three nice big juicy females (about an inch long) but jot seen any obvious males as yet.......

presspirate · 01-14-11, 05:53 PM

They are interesting little critters aren't they? I just can't seem to keep my nose out of their box. I'll be sitting here, and all of a sudden I'll think..."Hey, I wonder what the roaches are doing?" So, I'll turn my chair around and take the lid off for a peek. Maybe reach in and coax one onto my hand. And look at them for awhile. They're probably thinking, "Dude...the light...." But, you know they're roaches. And mine are currently munching apples.

Lankyrob · 01-14-11, 05:57 PM

They really seem to like the dirt in there, they are burrowing through it and burying themselves, unless you think it is likely to cause any harm? They have PLENTY of cardboard snd hiding space in their too so they have plenty of choice as to where to go...?

I am the same greg, i keep wanting to hold them and watch them climbing aroumd their giant cardboard climbing frame. Maybe we are just a little weird?

presspirate · 01-14-11, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lankyrob

I am the same greg, i keep wanting to hold them and watch them climbing aroumd their giant cardboard climbing frame. Maybe we are just a little weird?

Maybe we are, but.....by who's definition? And does it matter?

I don't think the dirt will harm them Rob. They are after all roaches. And their species will be here long after ours is gone. Have you found yourself rescuing overturned ones that seem to be struggling on their backs? I've done that a few times now....

Lankyrob · 01-14-11, 06:24 PM

Not rescued any......yet! In terms of weird i love the quote " i tried being normal once - worst five minutes of my life.."!!

bighog85 · 01-14-11, 07:02 PM

You can literally throw anything edible in there and they will eat it. Mine have a constant supply of chicken feed in the tubs and then I throw everything that we don't eat in there as well. Fruit and vegetable scraps, bread scraps, everything. The next day I go in and it is all gone. Next time I have a snake not eat I am going to try and throw a rat or mouse in and see what happens. I'm betting that there will be a skeleton and nothing more left the next day. I started with 1,000 and I estimate that I am in the 5,000 range eight months later. The population has really exploded since my sav died but I am taking in another one next week so hopefully I can get it under control again. What are you feeding them to?