crickets munching on your herps?

[Northstar Herp]

I've heard for years now not to leave crickets in the enclosure with your herps, because they can chew on them and do damage, but I've never heard anybody who has had it happen. At the same time, I've been told by several folks that they think it's bogus. I myself, have an opinion on this, but what I'd like to hear is if anyone has ever had any of their collection damaged by crickets that were left in the enclosure. Feel free to give your opinion on whether it's true or not, but what I'm really after is someone who has actually had it happen to them.

Thanks in advance.

 

[jfreels]

I have seen pictures posted on the beardeddragon.org forums showing before and after pics and healed pics from crickets eating at a beardie tail. It was nothing gruesome though, but I'm sure the beardie didn't like it.

So I believe it to be true, but at the same time I am too lazy to go find that thread to prove it to you.

 

[Tony C]

I've never seen it happens, but crickets will pretty much eat anything so it does seem plausible, much more so than the old mealworm legends.

 

[PetVet]

maybe we should send this into mythbusters *snicker* hehe.

 

[Northstar Herp]

I guess the thing that I find a bit hard to believe is that any reptile would just let the crickets just chew on them. Sure, crickets would probably do it, but would the herp just sit there and take it? That's why I'm hoping to hear some first hand experience.

 

[VampyricAngelX]

A healthy reptile might not let a cricket just sit and munch on it but maybe a sick/weak one might? I've never personally heard of this happening either but just a thought. *shrugs*

 

[Tony C]

My beardies and leos are quick to shake or brush off any cricket that crawls on them.

 

[Northstar Herp]

My beardies and leos are quick to shake or brush off any cricket that crawls on them.

Mine too, that's why I'm questioning this...

 

[acpart]

I have never had a problem leaving crickets in with leos. However, I have a gecko with a regrown tail (it was that way when I got him). The end of the tail turns up and the skin is very thin there so I have to watch it carefully especially around shedding time. If it gets too dry it can crack. A few years ago I noticed he had a small wound there. I made sure it was dry and clean and kept track of it (he was housed alone at the time). As the days went by, the wound seemed to be getting worse and I couldn't figure out why. One day I went to check on him and found 2 mealworms attached to the end of his tail. Maybe he had no sensation there . . . I removed the mealworms and he recovered quickly. I never leave feeders in his cage anymore.

Aliza

 

[Northstar Herp]

I have never had a problem leaving crickets in with leos. However, I have a gecko with a regrown tail (it was that way when I got him). The end of the tail turns up and the skin is very thin there so I have to watch it carefully especially around shedding time. If it gets too dry it can crack. A few years ago I noticed he had a small wound there. I made sure it was dry and clean and kept track of it (he was housed alone at the time). As the days went by, the wound seemed to be getting worse and I couldn't figure out why. One day I went to check on him and found 2 mealworms attached to the end of his tail. Maybe he had no sensation there . . . I removed the mealworms and he recovered quickly. I never leave feeders in his cage anymore.

Aliza

ewwwwwe.... thanks for the story, Aliza.

 

[T-ReXx]

I don't have any personal experience with crickets doing this but I have seen first hand results of a mouse basically eating a snake alive. It was a ball python that was being kept incorrectly; all the typical petstore problems: heat rock, lack of thermometer, in a cold room. The snake was offered a live mouse and refused to eat it. Over the course of a week, the mouse chewed holes all up and down the snake's length, and the animal was too cold and sluggish to defend itself much. When it finally came into the vet I was working for at the time it was in horrible shape. Although I don't think healthy reptiles kept correctly would allow crickets(or any other feeder) to chow down on them, animals that are in subpar conditions, specifically a lack of proper heat, would be too sluggish to react in a normal fashion.

 

[GeckoGathering]

Cricket Damage?

I have seen pictures posted on the beardeddragon.org forums showing before and after pics and healed pics from crickets eating at a beardie tail. It was nothing gruesome though, but I'm sure the beardie didn't like it.

So I believe it to be true, but at the same time I am too lazy to go find that thread to prove it to you.

It is true about a bearded dragon but
not a leopard gecko.
I have observed both for extended
periods of time with cricket count above
consumption.
Geckos have a flick action upon touch,
beardies do not. Only a sick gecko
would allow it.
Unconsumed crickets (if not given food)
in gecko housing will eat the gecko poo
(not good for gecko) or go cannibal
on leftovers.(meal worms, crickets,etc.)
Non sick geckos will not allow it.
Sorry beardies.
Take care. HJ

 

[thegeckoguy23]

it has happend to ROB evlispSVT