`Do I have a correct list of what my leopard gecko will need?

[JessJohnson87]

Mealworms can just go in the fridge in between feedings, they go dormant at those temperatures and don't turn into beetles.

 

[logan1234]

Is this good care for mealworms?

Place them in a container with Oats about 1/2" to 1" deep.

Every monday take them out of the fridge and put some bearded dragon adult food in with them and leave them out for a couple hours.

Questions: Do I put food/hydration in with them while there in the fridge thursday-sunday?

What do I use for their hydration?

Should I take them out more often then just monday to let them eat?

 

[JessJohnson87]

I say 24 hours in advance and you can use a piece of carrot for hydration. Mealworms won't eat while they're in the fridge, they basically go into a dormant state.

 

[logan1234]

So 24 hours hours in advance take them out of the fridge and put carrots and bearded dragon food in their to them?

 

[JessJohnson87]

Yep. Feeding a variety of insects helps keep the leo's from getting bored with one feeder. I fed mine mainly crickets when I got him, he got bored with them so I started switching it up between crickets and worms. He got bored with that so now it's roaches, crickets, hornworms, mealworms and an occasional wax worm as a treat.

 

[logan1234]

Do I leave them out for 24 hours before also? Or do I just let them eat 24 hours before for a couple hours then store them until they are going to be eaten?

 

[JessJohnson87]

Take however many out the day before your scheduled feeding day, let them eat, then send them off to their execution the next night. Store the rest in the container in the fridge until the next time you feed and repeat the gut-loading process.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Please read between the lines for my replies in boldface type.

Okay a couple more questions, sorry.

How big should the tote be for the crickets?

Tote size: If you get 250 crickets I'd go with a ~28 quart Sterilite tote/bin or larger.

How many crickets do you recommend buying a month? My dad said that we may not need to buy 500 since it will be too much. So say the leopard gecko eats 15 crickets per serving (Is that accurate?) then 3 times a week 15X3=45 every week so 180. So Should I only buy 250 every month?

Believe your dad. I'd get 250 1/2" crickets the first time and see how that goes. I can keep 1/2" crickets alive for about 2 months. In that box some will be smaller and some will be bigger.

How many crickets a leo eats depends upon the size of the crickets and how hungry your adult leo is. It probably also depends upon whether you get an adult male or an adult female. Even mature leos are different sizes.

How long after I buy 1/2" crickets will they die?

How long the crickets last depends upon their quality and how you take care of them. Please read these: http://www.geckosunlimited.com/comm...feeding-issues-/68574-cricket-guidelines.html?

Including the shipping of the crickets would it be cheaper to buy 250/500 crickets online or at a pet store?

Only you guys can figure this out. Pet stores usually do not sell in bulk. Maybe a pet store could order some for you when they order theirs?

Also do you mean for the thermostat to go by the thermometer like if the thermometer 3 degrees higher then the thermostat, then set the thermostat 3 degrees lower?

How about asking your parents for help? You've got the Hydrofarm and the directions. The thermometer should be your bottom line. You want to achieve an average temperature of 91*F according to your digital thermometer.

P.S. My brother and maybe mom is going to possibly give me some egg flats from their work. If I ever need to buy more any suggestions where?

I like donated cardboard egg flats! You won't need all that many. Start saving now. Maybe your neighbors could help.

If any of you guys live near a restaurant that does a lot of baking, ask them if they'd save some. I have never ordered egg flats online.

 

[amsdadtodd]

just to jump in on the mealworm discussion, I do NOT recommend keeping them in the fridge! This causes them to dehydrate and also purges them of nutrients. I keep them in a plastic shoebox on the floor of my herp room on a bed of outs about 3/4 inch to one inch deep. I also have adult bearded dragon food mixed in with the oats and keep fresh collard greens and fruit slices on the surface. I change these out often and look for mold on the oats, removing any areas I see growing moldy.
I also have a small cup of bearded dragon food. I transfer a couple dozen mealworms at once from the colony to this cup. I also put either fruit slices or flukers orange cubes in that cup to keep them hydrated. After at least 24 hours, I will start taking from the cup to feed leo's.
Meanwhile, the mealworms in the plastic shoebox are growing and reproducing, making a self replenishing supply of ready to eat mealworms.
There is nothing wrong with feeding straight from the colony in the shoebox, except that their stomach contents will be oats instead of bearded dragon food. Honestly, the size of their digestive tract is so small that I wonder if it's really of any consequence. The only reason I do the interim step with the cup is because I have the beardie food on hand anyway, so why not.

Todd

 

[JessJohnson87]

I did not know that. I have always kept mine in the fridge, just recently I switched them to the door since the door does not get as cold.

 

[logan1234]

Okay, thank you.
How often should I change the oats?

Also should I put the mealworms in one container and the beetles and others in another container, or can they stay in the same container?

 

[JessJohnson87]

They can stay in the same container, the beetles are what will lay the eggs for new worms. I would change the oats and stuff out maybe every month or when it looks like it needs to be changed.

 

[amsdadtodd]

most people do keep them in the fridge. I wish I could find the source I retained that snipped of info from, if I do I will post it.
Raising and breeding mealworms is so easy that there's no reason not to. They do pupate for a couple weeks then become adult beetles which just lay eggs all through the substrate. They are by far the lowest cost feeder to keep and breed, I just wish they were more nutritious!

Todd

 

[JessJohnson87]

http://www.geckosunlimited.com/community/feeders-food-and-nutrition/35613-mealworm-breeding.html

Found this thread while trying to find info on breeding them for you.

Todd, earthworms are actually really good. I used to eat pieces of them as a kid, so how is that for adventurous :biggrin:

 

[logan1234]

Does the bin have to be big? I have a 29.3cm x 20.3cm x 14.3cm bin. Would that be big enough for a colony?

 

[JessJohnson87]

Something like this http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sterilite-6-Quart-Storage-Box/15442432

 

[amsdadtodd]

http://www.geckosunlimited.com/community/feeders-food-and-nutrition/35613-mealworm-breeding.html

Found this thread while trying to find info on breeding them for you.

Todd, earthworms are actually really good. I used to eat pieces of them as a kid, so how is that for adventurous :biggrin:

They used to use them in McDonalds burgers, so why not skip the middle man and go right to the source!

 

[logan1234]

The person on the link you gave me said to separate the beetles from the mealworms?

 

[JessJohnson87]

You don't have to, the beetles will just lay eggs in the oats if you keep them together. Then new worms will emerge. To keep breeding down, once you get started, you can just take the beetles out. I've heard you can feed the beetles to reptiles but I've never done it.

 

[logan1234]

If I ever over-breed them then we just get some free fish bait. If I'm allowed I might start the colony now so I will be ready before we get the reptile (Which I might get christmas or next fall.)