Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Started a colony of lobster and dubia roaches to see how that would work out.Man, its hard to believe how the HL's go for them.They darn near knock over stuff to get to them.If I see them slowing down on eating(ants),like there bored, I can throw in a few roaches and bam there up and running again.The only drawback , trying to keep the larger HL from eating the smaller roaches for the smaller HL.The large one will actually grab them off my tweezers, or try to get Over my hand if i try to block it from the smaller ones roaches.Let me say here (disclaimer) these Hl's get fed well, they are not starving. Its funny, I can put ants in and they will grab one, grab one,if a roach is thrown in at this time, they will scatter sand to get to the roaches.Just some info on another food source.As a side note,seems the lobsters keep much better and muliply much faster,also much cleaner than crickets.scott.

OK supplemental food, if the size of the roach is small. Adult lobster roaches wouldn't be adviseable prey. Too large and may cause impaction. I maintain that this sort of prey item should not be the staple diet to a Horned Lizard.
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"A man that should call everything by it's right name, would hardly pass the streets without being knocked down as a common enemy." The Complete Works of George Savile, First Marquess of Halifax 1912,246

Hey Scott,
You've inspired me to try them again. Actually I keep asking at the pet store if they have any roaches but they are always out or they are too big. I tried them last year and you are right. The HL's love them. They are a great addition and provide a good opportunity for some variety. There are several folks I know who use them regularly and are happy with them.
You say you are raising them? Tell us about the setup.
TTYL
Mark
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Phrynosoma.Com

To raise them I use like a 5 1/2 gallon aquarium, screen top, and some egg cartons that are vertical in one end, I have some heat tape under, they need like 85 to 88 degree temps to breed.I ordered like 25 adults,(you have to specify when you order)they like it dark, so papered the sides,and lay a piece of cardboard on top.Now , the issue is you guys live where its warmer,so, I know they will not ship to some states.These are tropical roaches, so supposedly they will not live if escaped here(Michigan).The lobster roaches are harder to handle(can climb glass), but they breed like crazy.I was shocked the first time I went to get a "few" for the HL's and turned over the egg cartons, it was swarming with them, all different sizes.Fireside,could impaction be more an issue of large size/dehydration????Curious, also these came from florida, could it be possible they ate larger things there since relocated there and can handle larger insects??My small one has grabbed a few that the larger one was supposed to get,(could not get to him before he got to the roach)He is fine with it, I also try to give them some crickets or usually ants before a few roaches.Also make sure they get a good drink now and then,To make sure they are hydrated.The little one is really putting on some size, the medium one is a female,and she is doing real well also,but like i said, she tries to get over my hand if i see she is going for the littler ones roach.I know they will not ship to , I think its arizona and one other, florida?not sure.The dubia's roaches are wider sorta,lobsters are more length/thinner.Dubia's aren't reproducing yet, but can't climb glass so make it easier to handle, they eat slices of apples, cantalope, ground dog or fish food is good also.take care scott.

Thanks for the tips. I'll get it set up. I don't mind feeding the fruit or fish food, but I don't think I could bring myself to grind up dog.
TTYL
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Phrynosoma.Com

Really the dog food thing is not bad,put some in a ziplock, hit it with something hard sorta, pulverizes the stuff into a dry like powder, they also love a slice of cantalope, apple slices are good also.Like they say, whatever your roaches are eating so are your lizards, keep it healthy.scott.

Lucky for you, you missed my attempt at dry humor.
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Phrynosoma.Com