Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just removed one of the lobster roaches from the enclosure and placed it in a can with no lid.

It cannot climb the sides... old peanut can.

So it is now lidless and sitting on the house floor. Shot my heatgun in the can... it is 77 degrees inside the can at the bottom.

The roach is fresh and hearty (lobster roach).

See pics and time:

I will see how long it takes for degradation of the roach at this temp. I will be away till this eve and be able to then check back on it.

Thermostat is set at 76:

finish some painting in this house
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Don't forget that many insects simply go dormant when temperatures are too cool. Over time tropical insects most likely will die but short term exposure, once they warm up, they could just 'wake up'.

Another thing to consider is when loose, roaches will seek out a warm place in the house, like under the fridge or other source of heat.

Many areas also have bans on exotic roaches, however there are still many people who will import, breed, sell and buy roaches whether they are legal to buy, own etc, in their area. In Canada, all roaches are considered harmful and you can't import them, own them or breed them, without special permits or a zoo or similiar, however this hasn't prevented many people up here to breed them, sell etc.

In general, they are a good feeder insects for most insect eating reptiles or mammals, there isn't any doubt about that.
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PHLdyPayne

Forum Princess

the roach is still alive

been several hours now

at my ohter house on the tile floor in the dragon room they seemed to die within a matter of hours

would vacuum up any escapees

I wouldnt even worry about them escaping... knew the vacuum would get them

Im still not worried about it in the new dragon room and the new house I have them setup with wood floors now.

Some people just look for excuses as to why they dont keep them.

Unless your house approximates the living conditions of a south american tropical rain forest... you'll be fine.
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Obeying the law sounds like a very good reason not to keep them. That and I personally don't see roaches as all time best feeder, I am a big supporter of offering a wide variety of insects, such as silkworms, hornworms, crickets, superworks, butterworms, and roaches.
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PHLdyPayne

Forum Princess

God knows how many introduced species we have down there in FL.... Many tropical reptiles and invertebrates have been introduced into Florida's ecosystem in Southern Florida and have established a foothold.... I think it is a good idea to follow the laws in this case.

If I had my own house I may take the risk and breed my own roaches, but since I live in an apartment, I am taking extra precaution to follow laws. Pets are allowed in my apartment building, but given how negative alot of people are towards reptiles, if on the off chance somebody in the building complains I have reptiles, I want to make sure there is no legal reason the landlord can use to have me either get rid of my pets or move.

I am probably being needlessly paranoid, as I doubt anybody in the building even knows what the city by-laws are much less provincial or federal in regards to exotic roaches. I do know that all the commonly bred roaches for feeders are illegal in at least Ontario, as I talked to game wardens who have laid charges on people breeding and selling roaches or importing them.

Then again, with only one reptile that eat some insects, not worth the trouble to breed roaches for my own use. I could get hisser nymphs time to time as a treat for my dragon as I somebody who breeds them.
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PHLdyPayne

Forum Princess