Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Should I let the crickets die in the bag then dip them in Viat. powder or can a hatchling catch them?

I think most insect eating reptiles like their food live.
This is a little O/T but recently I was feeding my African fat tailed gecko when one of the powdered crickets bounced into the water dish. I got it out but apparently the vitamin/mineral powder turned to mud so the cricket died right in front of this lizard's face. He was about to go for the cricket then it died so he sniffed it then turned away to go after another.

Back on topic, when I want my boxies to eat powdered crickets I put them in the bathtub so that the crickets cannot get away from them. They still have to chase them but the crickets can't climb or hop out so they don't have a chance.
A little boxie would likely have to be placed in a small container so that the crickets can't get away from it but I think they could catch them.
It's good exercise for them and gives them an opportunity to practice their hunting skills.
-----
PHRatz

Well allowing the turtle to chase the crickets is fine. To make it much easier for the turtle, you can pinch off the crickets' hind legs by pinching the knees(that's what I've read, but I sometimes just twist the legs till they fall, yes it sounds gross I know). As for feeding dead, I once caught an eastern box and kept her for a while. At the time I was keeping a katydid I found, which died. I didn't notice till after a few days when it was sitting belly up in its cage. I decided to have a little fun and have my box turtle(named Gerri) chase the dead katydid for some exercise. I was trying to keep it out of her reach, but she was too quick and snatched the dead katydid from me. She wound up devouring the entire katydid. I was worried because the katydid was dead for a few days and worried about her getting sick. She showed no signs of illness. The point of my story: dead crickets would probably be fine for your turtle. Instead of just waiting for them to die(that could take days), you should keep your eye out for the dead crickets that Fluker and Zoo Med sell.