Turkistan Roaches.

[Holly12]

Hello um I have been thinking of geting some Turkistan Roaches for my 2 female leos and for my AFT gecko when I get her in January the thing is I heard that roaches are better then crickets is that true? and it is true that roaches do not leave any oder and are much more harder then crickets? if anyone knows about feeder roaches the turkistan roaches or anyother feeder roaches that are good for leos and AFT let me know.

 

[Holly12]

Oh and onething do they bite? Iam to sissy when it comes to roaches that bite.

 

[T-ReXx]

Hi,

I have colonies of both Turks(Blatta lateralis) and Dubia(Blaptica dubia) roaches and I can tell you for sure they are both WAY easier than crickets. There is little to no smell(large colonies can have a slight oder but it's nothing compared to crickets) they live a lot longer(up to a year on lateralis) and they don't jump or chirp. I feel that they are healthier than crix as they have a higher meat to shell ratio. Both my AFTs and Leos get both species(as well as my tokays and cresties) and I have had little to no problems with them taking them. Lateralis are VERY fast moving so they can be hard to handle(putting them in the fridge for 10-20 min will slow them down) but they don't climb. They also lay eggs, as opposed to dubia who produce live young, so they need a slightly higher humidity level for the egg cases to hatch. Both species are extremely easy to raise, but I find that lateralis produces a bit faster(colonies can literally explode with babies within a month or so, as opposed to dubia who tend to be a bit slower to start). Dubia are easier to handle as they are slower moving, but other than that care requirements are identical. I highly recommend both species. Adult dubia are a bit too large for average sized leos/AFTs, but adult lats are about cricket sized and therefore perfect.

added note: no biting, completely harmless.

 

[Holly12]

Now with the Dubia roaches you are saying that they get big? and they like to climb on things? let me ask you this wish roach size will be great for leos and AFT?

 

[LizMarie]

Now with the Dubia roaches you are saying that they get big? and they like to climb on things? let me ask you this wish roach size will be great for leos and AFT?

I breed dubias and I have one leopard gecko and two African Fat Tails that just LOVE them.

Adult dubia can reach around 2 inches and I feed off the Adult Males to my Adult Females.

Dubias can't climb smooth vertical surfaces such as glass or plastic so they're easy to house because they can't escape and can't get to far when you feed them.

 

[Holly12]

Okay so my leos should be okay with Dubia Roaches? and 2 inches is almost the same size as a pinky mouse wright?

 

[T-ReXx]

It depends on your geckos size. Big adult leos can handle adult dubia(though I prefer to feed smaller meals more often, it's easier to digest) but either way large nymphs/subadults can be taken by pretty much all adult leos. Pinkies are a different story. I personally, am against feeding pinkies to leopard geckos. Pinkies are full of fat, and it's VERY easy for leos(and AFTs) to get too fat eating them. Insects are fine as a diet. Either species (lateralis and dubia) make great feeders for leos and AFTs, just choose the correct size of roach to feed to each individual gecko. Neither one can climb smooth surfaces, and both are very easy to breed.

 

[Holly12]

Okay thank you both for the info cuz I think Iam going to swich thier diet back and forth one day they will have the crickets and another day they will have the roaches it will give them a change for once lol again thanks.