Picky Lil' Punk :)

[leolover23]

Well, my leo decided she wanted to go on a little hunger strike again, and I've come to a semi-conclusion that she is simply a picky eater. It seems like she loves crickets, but the only problem is that I've had past troubles about keeping crickets. They always seem to die quickly. Any advice? Thanks!

 

[JordanAng420]

Crickets are a pain in the behind. I hate how they smell, I hate catching then and I hate having to clean up after them. The geckos seem to like them, though. One thing i've found that helps keeps crickets alive for longer is to give them extra hiding spots. Use extra egg carton so that each individual cricket has a place to sit. If they don't have a place to go, they die quickly from trampling each other.

 

[leolover23]

Alright, I'll try that! Thanks so much Hey, also, I don't really understand the whole gut-loading thing. I mean, I've never really done it, and I'm afraid that I'd feed the food something that wouldn't be good for my gecko.

 

[JordanAng420]

I just use a diet formulated specifically for cricket gut-loading. Flukers has one that's great and easy to get at any pet store that sells reptile supplies. I use theirs, and I also use potato and carrot slices as a water source. Crickets are stupid and drown themselves in regular water. Hehe.

 

[leolover23]

Haha Thanks so much for your help! Since she's stuffed herself silly already, I probably won't have to feed her every single day (what a pig!) but this info is very helpful! Thanks again!

 

[ZooKeeperKarin]

I've been raising crickets (and HATE them!). I use makeup cotton pads (sold by the cotton balls... those little squares) dribbled with water for their water source. They just go and suck off the cotton pad.
They eat tropical fish food. Crickets love it, and it's high in protein, so they are raised on the healthiest food. Pre-gutloaded. :main_thumbsup:
Higher temps will make for the happiest crickets (if you're breeding them), but lower temps will sustain life longer.
Keep fish food available at all times or they will feed on eachother.

Disgusting little creatures! But the geckos still like them.. Sigh.

 

[leolover23]

Wow, that was really helpful! Thanks ^_^ I never thought about using make-up pads before, but that's a great idea!

 

[shadowdragon619]

the only thing tho if you buy the cricket food from the pet store....it seems like the "high calcium" cricket food makes the crickets die off faster. at least with me they did.

i use the Flucker's orange cubes....its food and water in one, but i use potatoes and carrots too. give the stupid little buggers a variety.

i hate crickets...with a passion. but my one leo will only eat crickets...and i have a crested gecko that will only eat crickets too.

 

[fl_orchidslave]

I've used those cubed things before, the green ones, it seemed the crix didn't like them. Maybe the orange ones are more appealing.... they tear up baby carrots tho. We've kept the carrots in a container or zip bag for several months for the crix. A good value for less than 2 bucks IMO. Also we keep a bowl of wheat germ/chicken feed mix in the the cricket tub, sometimes adding rolled oats, and usually a few potato wedges. It's all a pain in the a** and as soon as the tub is empty the leos will be on just worms. I"ll pick uo 100 crix at a show for a treat lol. No more thousands!