tokay diet question

wborton · #1 11-16-2010, 01:48 AM

Hello,

I've done quite a bit of searching, and I can't seem to find an exact answer. There is just way too much to go through, and no one hits the point exactly.

I am getting a tokay on Friday, and I'm trying to figure out a good diet. I really don't like crickets, and roaches are not easy to get (plus I think my roommate would kill me). Don't worry though, I will get some if I need to!

My question: Is there any type of worm that can be fed as a staple diet if the tokay will eat it? From what I have read, meal worms are bad, but other than that, it is hard to tell what is good and what is not. Like I said, I will do crickets or roaches if I need to, but I would love to find something else that works best for me.

Thanks in advance for any help

I'm really hoping someone can help!

Archie · #2 11-16-2010, 03:54 AM

Nope.....crickets and roaches should be the staple....I dont like crickets either they annoy me, but IMO they are the best staple diet to feed to tokays....different sizes are available to suit your new tokay and are on of the better all round meals.

Its also a lot more fun to watch them running around trying to catch crickets.

My tokays wont evan look at a meal worms, super worms, or silk worms as much as I have tried....so I stick to dusted crickets and the occasional large moth that I can catch (use caution from where and what you catch) Perhaps if your new Tokay is young enough you may get it to take silkworms (dont hold your breath)......I believe silkworms are quite nutritious as well.....

But for the most part go with roaches or crickets....

wborton · #3 11-16-2010, 11:37 AM

Thanks, my biggest question was what is most nutritious for them? I don't want to feed them junk food just because it's easier for me. I'll try the silk worms, and maybe I'll get lucky. If not, there is a store fairly close that sells crickets.

ryndgls360 · #4 11-17-2010, 02:43 PM

What about the pinkies? I've read a lot of websites that say you can feed them those when they are bigger. Not saying that I could do that right now, but I've also heard about giving them gold fish? Right now, it's all crickets for me as I can't seem to locate any roaches.

Pinkies and gold fish. Good idea or bad?

**Riverside Reptiles** · #5 11-17-2010, 03:08 PM

Pinkies are almost all fat and nothing else. They do not make a good source of food. THey should be used only for sick or very underweight animals that need to put on some weight quickly.

Goldfish are generally kept in aweful conditions in pet stores, in water that is full of chemicals. No way would I feed them to my animals.

ryndgls360 · #6 11-17-2010, 03:29 PM

Awesome. Thanks for clearing that up.

Aquira · #7 11-18-2010, 12:38 AM

Not for a staple, but I've heard that tokays like hornworms as treats. I haven't tried them yet, so I can't say from personal experience though.
Have you thought about having roaches shipped to you?

Tony C · #8 11-18-2010, 03:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riverside Reptiles

Goldfish are generally kept in aweful conditions in pet stores, in water that is full of chemicals. No way would I feed them to my animals.

There is also the problem of their high thiaminase content disrupting the metabolism of vitamin B1.

ryndgls360 · #9 11-18-2010, 11:22 AM

Hahahaha ordering roaches on the internet has never crossed my mind. I am still new to this reptile thing. I'll look into it though. One website said grasshoppers, but I'm just going to say no to this one.

**Riverside Reptiles** · #10 11-18-2010, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryndgls360

Hahahaha ordering roaches on the internet has never crossed my mind. I am still new to this reptile thing. I'll look into it though. One website said grasshoppers, but I'm just going to say no to this one.

Most feeder insects can be ordered online and usually at prices much lower than pet stores (and much better quality as well).