Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was watching my new orange head roach colony. Actually enjoying the peaceful scene. I had just turned on the heating pad under thier tub. Well 5 minutes or so later i hear some scurrying around in there and theres this one roach going kind of nuts. Hes running around the pieces of cardboard in there (instead of egg crates i have several loosely rolled cardboard strips--lots of places to hide)

Hes pretty frantic. Hes going all over the cage. over the food everything. I cant figure out what he wants. He might of even squeaked. THEN suddenly from on top of one of the cardboard piecs he JUMPS and flaps his wings like a moth and flies almost straight accross to the other side of the cage -- about 10 inches!!! i quickly put the lid back on the tub and as im writing this i can hear him flapping around in there still.

WHATS GOING ON? these are supposed to be flightless!

I have experienced the same thing from my orange spots. They really can only jump and go short distances and its usually only the males, and it doesn't happen often. I keep lids on all my containers and have never had an one escape to this day. I would not be to concerned unless you planned on keeping no lid on their cage.
James

I did find one of my orange heads out once but never figured out how it got loose. I guess a lid is in order. I wasn't too conserned since a male isn't going to cause a problem since they can't reproduce without a female!

I guess I know now how he got loose.
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Marcia - FroggieB Dragons
www.froggieb.com/MHDHome.html

I dont think they can fly up just if they get a jump off of something they can go straight. Thats all i saw them do anyway.

I remember seeing my male orange spotted roaches flutter their wings, but never left where he was standing. I have a lid on their cage but slightly off so an inch is free to allow adaquete air flow. But he only fluttered the day I got my shipment, and I have not seen any of my adult do so since.
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~ Juli ~
www.Polliwog-Design.com