Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Is it possible to raise a healthy ackie on a diet with minimal crickets? (I don't like 'em - they smell and some always get loose) I'm not too cool on roaches, either.
-----
-audri
Webpage/Pics

Hi,

You CAN feed them just turkey and cat food (mine like the salmon kind) but be aware that they eat bugs in the wild. I have gone without crickets for 4 or 5 days with my monitors, but they never eat the "dead" food with much gusto...I like to give them crickets because it seems to get them excited. I don't know if it is fact, just my observation, but I think that they have somewhat of a need to hunt, and seem to enjoy it...and I enjoy watching it.
Bottom line with me is if you have monitors you just deal with the bugs.
Just my opinion...

Regards,

Phil Black
VaranusWeb.com

definitely

our ackies get mostly pinks with crickets only once a week or so
-----
1.2 Uromastyx Maliensis (Ricky, Quinn, Anna)
1.0 Varanus Timorensis (Zealot)
1.1 Varanus Acanthurus (Eddie, Roxie)
0.0.2 Uromastyx Aegypticus (Kronk, Yzma)
0.0.2 Ceratophrys Ornata (Mojo, Jabba)
0.1 Geochelone Carbonaria (Turtle)

Emily
www.egomantra.com/npoh

While its probably possible to do so... (I don't know ackies.. I'ma Bosc owner and a new one at that) You need to think of what is best for the animal.. not for you. My theory is this: You bring an animal into your home.. that animal becomes your responsibility to care for to the maximum of your ability to provide for it. My Bosc is on fuzzie rats.. Now I don't LIKE feeding them off that young but because I chose to bring the Bosc into my home... I deal with it because its best for him. I'm not trying to criticize, really I'm not because I'm relatively new at keeping monitors too... I'm just saying, you took on the responsibility so feeding him correctly should be a high priority not subject to your likes or dislikes but instead to the knowledge of what their diet should be.

That's why I'm asking the question and finding out -before- I decide to get one. If it turns out I can't raise a healthy lizard without feeding crickets, then I'll put up with the crickets or I won't get one - believe me. In any case, I can't purchase one for probably a year anyway, due to lack of $$$ and space.

It's not all bugs I have a problem with - mealworms, for example, don't bother me at all. Probably because they're slow and predictable. (plus they don't stink)
-----
-audri
Webpage/Pics

Ahhhh.. Sorry I assumed you already had the monitor. Its been a long day for me.. Sorry if I sounded a little high-handed. Its hard to tell who's had the forethought to think of these things before they purchase the monitor and who hasn't unless its expressly stated. Alot of people don't take that time so it ends up putting alot of keepers on edge about things.