Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've written about these guys before, but am still in the dark. Can you-all help me identify the type of roaches I have? They are oval, about one inch long and 3/4 inch wide. Their backs are slightly domed. They are brownish black, fading to mahogany around the edges. They can't climb the glass. They are of two types. One has a wing-cover-like carapace, and others remind me of armadillos. Are they different species, or perhaps different sexes?

They readily climb my fingers with their clingy little feet. That part worries me. Are they avoiding or searching-out something? They are in a glass tank, number about twenty, and two died, to my chagrin. Finally I see a bunch of tiny ones, so at least they can reproduce. The tank is on a human heating pad set on low, and the floor reads 85F on a non-contact thermometer. I feed them crushed Zoo-Preem Fruiteblende bird kibble, and greens. I keep mayonnaise-caps full of gravel and water under there, and lay a piece of cardboard (with the edges bent down so it's like a roof to them) over almost the whole bottom, which I think they like to hide under.

Any advice on identity and better care? If so, thank you for your time.

Roger

Any chance you could post a photoa? Or perhaps you could go to www.angelfire.com/oh2/Roaches/ and see if you can find a picture of it.

I would recommend using dog food rather than bird food for them too as they usually need high protien.
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Marcia - FroggieB Dragons
www.froggieb.com/MHDHome.html

Maybe they are Blaptica dubia. I have had them in the past and the are great for feeders. If they are in a glass tank, the first thing I would do is cover the sides with "craft paper", heavy paper bags or something to keep them dark..they will do much better. I agree with the previous post as far as ground up dog kibble..also any fruit, especially oranges (quartered) and bananas...they love em.. By the way if the are Blaptica dubia, the winged roaches are the males and the "armadillos" are the females...the babies (nymphs) will resemble the females and all can live together as the will not kill eachother..Feed off the males as one male can mate with many females.

Hope this helps,
Bill