Wild Crickets for Leos?

[MelissaFlipski]

I've heard the arguments against (and agree with) giving wild caught mice/rats to snakes. However, does this also apply to wild crickets for geckos? We live in a semi-rural area and have lots of crickets/grasshoppers around all summer/fall long. I would imagine they would be much healthier for our Leo in terms of nutrition.

Please tell me your thoughts on why I should or should not feed wild caught crickets to our Leo. And if there is some risk, what is it and how likely is it? We do not use bug poison or fertilizer; and we rarely use weed killer.

Thanks.

[Patrick Long]

pass on that grass.


microscopic bugs, pesticided greens......yucky with a capital Y

[MelissaFlipski]

microscopic bugs, pesticided greens......yucky with a capital Y

We don't use pesticides and have 8 acres of grass/woods. What are the microscopic bugs that would put the Leo at risk?

Thanks.

[SatanicIntention]

You never know what internal parasites that cricket is carrying, and it's best not to find out the hard way.

A big, ol' definite NO.

It doesn't matter if you don't use pesticides, your neighbors might and it's never worth the risk.

Buying your own crickets, gutloading them with all types of healthy greens and grains and ensuring they are hydrated, is the BEST way to feed your Leo.

Or buy a colony of roaches. Roaches don't carry parasites, such as coccidia, like crickets do. They live longer and are an overall better feeder.

[MelissaFlipski]

Roaches, um, yuck. I'm sure you're right. I'll have to think about it though.

[kjhowland]

Melissa, come on over to the dark side. I just started a breeding colony of dubia roaches for my leopard and a couple other animals.

[SatanicIntention]

The roaches are awesome! They don't smell, don't make noise, they live for a good year or more, they love warm, humid environments(so if they get out, they die, major plus), and they are VERY prolific breeders. Most of the species can't climb or fly. I like the babies, they look like little pill bugs.

Mine live in a cricket container from Armstrong Crickets(big white plastic container with mesh lid) on cypress mulch. They have some planter saucers as hides. I feed them chick feed and various veggies/dark greens. They are such easy things to raise.

[Schlyne]

My dubias live in a large plastic tub, with cork sheets to hide between and some egg cartons. I just throw various veggies in there, wheat bran..etc. Very easy to manage. If it wasn't for the smaller scorpions I have, I wouldn't feed crickets to anything anymore. The smaller scorpions I have don't seem to find the roaches as quickly.


They're great though. They make no noise, don't stink, don't carry parasites like crickets do, breed with a lot less fuss...etc.

[pythontricker]

Don't mean to hyjack a thread but, can you use wild caught mice to feed to your snakes if you freeze them?

[SatanicIntention]

No, because there are some parasites that survive freezing, such as tapeworm cysts. This is why we cook our pork!

Not that I wouldn't mind having a tapeworm for awhile..