Earth Roach ... Pycnoscelus surinamensis as a feeder?? any experiences?

[Saskia]

Good day!!

I found an apparently reliable supplier in my country and he breeds Earth roaches, Pycnoscelus surinamensis .... I was wondering if anyone here has used them as a feeder, I Googled it and I couldn't find a lab analysis or nutritional value table... any info would be highly appreciated!! :feedback:

:fight:

 

[M&S-328]

So I did a little research, and more commonly Dubia roaches are fed to leopard geckos. They grow to be about 1 1/2 inches so are considered "idealy" sized for adult leos.

While I looked up info on "earth roaches" (and its scientific name) I really couldnt find too much info about feeding them to leopard geckos either. I think you should find out their full grown length and width (to be sure they arnt too big for a leo) as well as outer shell density. If the exoskeleton is very hard and dense, your leo may have trouble biting into it, swallowing it, and digesting it.

If the breeder also sells dubia roaches, Id suggest buying those instead.
But if not, just do a lot of personal research! And if you do decide to let your leo have one, just start out with a smaller sized/younger one, so you dont have to worry about it being too big or too dense.

 

[Ozymandias]

hope this helps it wasn't written by me but by a roach guy i know on another forum

P. surinamensis (Surinam Roach)

This little roach is excellent to have around; The entire colony consists of only females, so every individual can reproduce, and the nymphs are just the perfect size and texture for hungry 'slings. They love to burrow and can climb, however only large nymphs can attempt the latter. A good two inches of substrate will increase production. This is probably one of the most low-maintenance roaches out there; just throw food on the surface and a swarm of hungry roaches will devour it! Any discarded exoskeletons or deceased kin will be ravenously eaten, too!

by Zephyr

 

[Saskia]

Thanks!! Regarding the size they grow up to 1 inch (they are smaller tha Blaptica dubia), and apparently are also softer than most roaches... I just ordered 60 of them, 20 babies (to feed my hatchlings) and 40 adults (1 inch in length tops).... I wanted to know about their nutritional values, but even Ethan (Riverside Reptiles) posted that most roaches are about the same, nutritious and low in fat... which is exactly what I am looking for....actually this provider sells mealworms, superworms, earth roaches and crickets coming soon.... he is also lookinf for a colony of dubias in order to start breeding himself!!

 

[Ozymandias]

ya thay are small the nymphs are tinny it's why zephyr recommends them for 'slings other wise know as baby spiders. and ya i always find it strange that Dubias are so hard to find in your part of the world even though thats where the native to.