I was outside today and noticed there are locust and grasshoppers everywhere now. They look more meaty and festive than the plain old crickets. So I got to thinking about maybe catching some and starting a small colony. But I have one question, maybe those in Europe can help here, do they stink as bad as crickets?
Cricket vs. Locust
- Thread starter Scott85
- Start date
CleanLineChameleons
Avid Member
I am doing the same thing and so far they are odorless. I would bet that you have grasshoppers because I do not believe there are any locust left in the US. The last place that locust were seen in the US was in the Rocky Mountains, at least that is what I was told by an entomologist. So yea, they don't stink...or mine don't.
-chris
-chris
JoshCrane1
New Member
and i thought crickets were annoying, they dont smell but they jump around so much..
Nicodemayo
Avid Member
Try to find the lime green grasshopper. Chams go nuts over them.
CleanLineChameleons
Avid Member
Well guys make sure you keep them for a day so they flush out anything that may be toxic to your cham. Feed them fruit and greens for that day to flush their systems. They don't need to have any water, they get it all from their food.
-chris
-chris
Most all the ones I have seen so far are the lime green ones. There are also some larger brown ones that have an orange and black wing when they fly. But those look like they have a thicker exoskeleton on them. I had actually hoped to catch enough of them to start a breeding colony of them and not feed them off untill I have nymphs. But I may try and see their reactions to them first with some that have been suffiently flushed outand gut loaded.
JoshCrane1
New Member
so your saying i can feed my chams grasshoppers from my backyard as long as i gutload em and let them flush the bad stuff out, cuz i have a bunch and i know there is a mosquito truck that comes around and fogs the streets once a month or so.
i would really like to feed my chams all of these grasshoppers, seems like a waste of money not to. but ive been scarred of toxins in my neighborhood.
so i can quarantine and gutload for a day then feed em off????????????????
dodolah
Retired Moderator
eepppp!
I wouldn't if i were you.
Who knows what kind of chemical that permanently stay in those grasshoppers.
CleanLineChameleons
Avid Member
Wow yea, don't use those grasshoppers. Who knows what chemicals they may carry!?! If their is a field in a remote area away from highways that you does not get sprayed then you would be safer there.
-chris
-chris
Locusts are the best feeder. I find that my cham is more excited about locusts than crix'. I brought 500 medium size locusts and they have lasted ages. I keep them in a good size viv with heating and feeding them with plenty of greens, fruit, hey etc. the only prob of keeping 500 is that although they do not stink they sure do crap every where
Phil
Phil
JoshCrane1
New Member
anywhere here in the states i can buy locusts or grasshoppers?
nekrosoft13
New Member
when feeding wild catched grasshoppers or other bugs, aren't you worried about some larva or eggs living inside of it?
lbesok
Avid Member
Everyone should understand that that's always going to be a risk with WC bugs. I don't really don't think that after cleaning out the gut for a couple of days could cut it....but then again maybe I'm wrong.
Nicodemayo
Avid Member
If you gather the insects from fields that are in remote countryside areas, i really dont think you have anything to worry about. In your lawn around houses i would definately be cautious but if you have a place to collect them that is all forested area, i wouldn't worry about detoxing them forever.
nekrosoft13
New Member
I was talking about parasites, like those wasp laying eggs in other bugs.
What would happen if a chameleon would eat a grasshopper that had some parasites or eggs inside of it? Would those get diggested? What would happen in the wild?
I'm sure stuff like that does happen in the wild, chameleons most likelly eat bugs that might some some parasite in the wild.
What would happen if a chameleon would eat a grasshopper that had some parasites or eggs inside of it? Would those get diggested? What would happen in the wild?
I'm sure stuff like that does happen in the wild, chameleons most likelly eat bugs that might some some parasite in the wild.
Nicodemayo
Avid Member
The risk is there but you also have to think about when you buy crickets. Theres always dead crickets in the bins it seems and its filled with poo etc. Thats a breeding ground for bacteria etc so the possibility the bugs you buy have some sort parasite as well. My male panther had a small strain of coccidia and all i had ever fed him was captive bred feeder insects. I pay close attention to washing my hands between touching animals so really the risk is with any bug you feed.
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