[akachewy]

Im looking to get my wee gecko abit more exercise (and entertainment for me) and thought id introduce her to either Locusts or Roaches, giving crickets a miss from previous excapees and several cans of fly spray latter).

Ive a couple of questions if someone could answer

1. What ones are less likely to escape?
2. If they escape, will the cause a problem with an infestation?
3. What ones are preferred in general by a Leo
4. Are there any that might cause the leo to ignore mealies (heard locusts can some times do this)

Many Thanks for your previous help folks
Cheers

[vegeta960]

Hi akachewy,

For your quizzes, i would personally say...

#1. Roaches are less likely to escape.
Locusts grow rapidly, but even so when small they can squeeze through the smallest of gaps.
#2. The roaches will cause more problems in terms of "infestation." They breed easily, and they can adapt quickly to new surroundings.
Locusts require a higher tempterature to breed succesfully, and to live!
#3. That would be down to each induvidual Leo. Personally, locusts have been preferred, but Roaches are easier to catch. The main problem with Roaches is that they contain a MUCH higher chitin content than locusts.
I could be wrong, but i think that they both provide an almost identical nutritional value.

And #4. I think that's a bit of poop really, Locusts are more to what a Leo is designed to hunt rather than mealies. But saying that, my Leo went nuts for mealies every time. It depends upon what you have been feeding it regulary.

I hope this helps at all.

[akachewy]

Thanks alot!!
Ill maybe buy a box of roaches the next time i get the mealies

Cheers again.

[Olivine]

Originally Posted by akachewy

Im looking to get my wee gecko abit more exercise (and entertainment for me) and thought id introduce her to either Locusts or Roaches, giving crickets a miss from previous excapees and several cans of fly spray latter).

Ive a couple of questions if someone could answer

1. What ones are less likely to escape?

It depends upon which species of roach it is: dubias can't climb glass, so they're less likely to escape than some other species. Personally, I can't say I've experienced much of a problem with escapee roaches or locusts; neither are anywhere near as bad as crickets (probably because they don't last as long in the vivs!)

Originally Posted by akachewy

2. If they escape, will the cause a problem with an infestation?

Both locusts and dubia roaches need additional heating (between 28C - 30C for locusts; 30C - 32C for dubias) in order to breed, so a few escapees shouldn't represent a problem.

Originally Posted by akachewy

3. What ones are preferred in general by a Leo

Quite honestly, I've not noticed a preference with my leos: neither locusts nor dubias touch the sides.

Originally Posted by akachewy

4. Are there any that might cause the leo to ignore mealies (heard locusts can some times do this)

Many Thanks for your previous help folks
Cheers

My lot have always eaten anything that's put in front of them and nothing has yet put them off their mealies (though it must be said that they are greedy little wotsits).