Annoying cricket issue.

[Kitchen]

Hey again,

I am looking for some advise or input about crickets. Right now I have a fairly simple vivarium for my leo. But I find when I put the crickets in they tend to hide almost instantly and my leo can not find them (I had this problem before with other herps). Its not like they just hide in a leaf or plant they actually like burrow under things and it is very annoying.

Any suggestions on what to do here?

 

[reptirus]

you can always pull the crickets back legs off, or try meal worms? Most Leopards love mealworms, thats what I feed all of mine, and then just occasionally give them crickets.

 

[CapCitySteve]

They sell dishes that crickets can't get out of, especially if you pull their back legs off. I think there's a link for them on Ron Tremper's website. leopardgecko.com

 

[Kitchen]

I am concerned about using mealworms as a staple diet for my leo. I have read multiple 'nutrition' guides on them and all are different. A lot of sites actually reccomend meal worms and say a ton of breeders use only them but still I am concerned about it.

As for the crickets, would pulling their back legs off stop them from digging under things?

 

[kaikara]

They could still move and hide with the legs off but they will just be slower and not be able to jump. And you don't want to pull the legs of as that might kill the cricket. What you want to do is pinch the back legs by squeezing up on the thigh and the leg will drop off.

I usually bowl feed. I pinch the back legs off and use terra cotta bowls with a smooth coating inside. You can get them cheap at any garden place. Just get the right sized bowl and make sure it has a glazed coating inside. If it is slick inside and clean the crickets will have a very hard time climbing out especailly if the legs are pinched off.

As for the feeding issue I wouldn't use mealworms as a staple myself. As part of a varied diet they are fine though. I use primarily crickets and silkworms as my staples. I then supplement with meal and super worms along with the occasional wax or butter worm.

 

[hyposhawn]

I am concerned about using mealworms as a staple diet for my leo. I have read multiple 'nutrition' guides on them and all are different. A lot of sites actually reccomend meal worms and say a ton of breeders use only them but still I am concerned about it.

As for the crickets, would pulling their back legs off stop them from digging under things?

I maintain my leos on mealworms as a staple. As long as you dust and gut load you should be fine.

 

[Riverside Reptiles]

Put a little piece of carrot or potato or apple in the tank when you put in the crickets. They much on that as opposed to hiding. Breeders only use mealsworms because they're cheap and easy...not because it's a healthy diet. They shouldn't make up more than 10% of the geckos total diet.