Cannibal crickets?

[IslaReina]

I have a problem. Every time I go to the store and get crickets, at least half of them are just empty shells at the bottom of the cricket keeper in a few days. As far as im concerned, I'm doing everything right. I keep them in a cricket keeper with flukers Orange cube diet. I keep a scratched paper towel in there to give them more room. So why do they keep dying? Could they be killing each other? please help thanks

 

[Allee Toler]

I put egg crate in there with them. Remember they're insects... insects molt. It might just be their exoskeleton you're finding. I've seen crickets eat each other before, too.

 

[IslaReina]

Ok that might be what I'm seeing, thank you very much

 

[RichL]

I had is when i had leos - when i worked in zoo i was told what was going on...

The bugs sold in amny stores are often overcrowded and or underfed/watered

Your probably giving them the best meal theyve had in a while which triggers a growth spurt - thus the empy shell

I was advised to leave the shells in to be eaten to take up lost nutrients - same with shed lizard skin

Obviously take out poop and somewhat grotty looking shell, after all, these bugs are gonna be dinnner at some point

Hope this helps

 

[IslaReina]

Perfect, thank you! Gosh I'm so glad I'm not actually losing them

 

[RichL]

Its normal for a few to die though but its not your fault

I do know there are places around the net and probably here on looking after ctix etc but im sure you know what to do

 

[Spazvicious]

Are they being fed? Other than the Flucker's? And putting a piece of egg carton in there also does help them too.

 

[avoidtheboyd]

Eww ditch crickets and go to dubia lol/ so much easier to care for