Breeding/rearing crickets livefood

Overview

Crickets are the most commonly used livefood in captivity, with virtually all pet shops stocking these. There are various different types of cricket, not all that different from each other, but some suitable for different species of invertebrate/reptile than others. Available are the adult black cricket, juvenile black cricket, adult brown cricket, juvenile brown cricket, and band striped cricket.

Buying crickets

Crickets are available from most livefood stockists, inlcuding local pet stores, and large pet stores, such as Jolyes. They usually come in small, ventilated tubs, as you would get other livefood (locusts, mealworms) in. These come with a piece of eggbox inside, for the

crickets to grip onto, and hide on. A layer of bran will be sprinkled on the bottom of the tub, and it is good to keep them with a constant supply of this. If you are looking at using large amounts of crickets, it may be worth while to buy in bulk, rather than in tubs. Online wholesalers supply locusts in the thousand, which can be a much more ecomonical way of feeding your herps.

Rearing crickets

Crickets will eat anything, from vegetables, down to old pieces of carpet!. However, the best food types would be vegetation, such as cabbage remains, old leaves of fruit or branches, and various other vegetable matter. You can also purchase pre-made formulae, which contains various mixed up foods, ground into a powder. Dry food such as cornflakes, oats and biscuits can also be fed. It is also good to provide some source of water, so a small bowl with damp/wet cotton wool is good to provide.

Crickets must be kept in a dry enclosure, with humidity at a minimum. Damp conditions can cause the crickets to die of mould or fungal infection. Breeding is relatively easy. A bopwl with some damp tissue/cotton wool/soil can be provided. The female will use her ovipositor (a tube on the back of her abdomen) and insert this into the laying material, and lay her eggs. The babies will emerge within about 2 weeks or so, if kept in the right conditions.

Categorised in: Mantis

11 years ago