Cup feeding pygmies

[Ddunk1026]

I'm setting up my first ever enclosure for my pygmies that should be arriving later next week. From what I've read on other posts, it seems like cup feeding would be the way to go so that I can keep track of what they eat and easily remove what they don't. I've found alot of info about cup feeding but wasn't sure if it could be used with pygmies. Can I make the cup big enough though that the crickets can't get out but the little pygmies are still able to get them? How big of a cup should I use and can it just be placed on the bottom of the enclosure? Thanks!

 

[insert name here]

I let the cricket just free range in it.

 

[Ddunk1026]

I could do that...but it just seems like it would be a better idea so that I can easily see what they have and haven't eaten and they will always know where to go for food.

 

[liquidsweetness]

crickets are hard to cup feed...just because theyre jumpers... but it might be possible, i've noticed a few crickets get "trapped" in the cup I give Ember her phoenix worms in. They must not know they can jump out as easily as they jumped in. its only 3.5 inches deep. I would say its really going to depend on the size of the crickets and how far they can shoot their little tongues.

 

[Brad Ramsey]

I don't think it will work.
My experience so far is that these animals sit and wait for prey to pass by.
Sometimes sitting in the same spot (more or less) for 2 or 3 days.
They also seem to stake out their own areas and I rarely see two close together.
I release the feeders into the enclosure, and I see them eat.
Once or twice I have seen the male pursue a cricket, but not too far and I have also seen them give up pretty quickly and just wait for the next opportunity.
I would feel much less confident that they were all getting food if I had a cup in the enclosure.

-Brad

 

[Brad Ramsey]

I would say its really going to depend on the size of the crickets and how far they can shoot their little tongues.

Ha Ha!
Neither of these would be what you expect. Mine eat 1/2 inch crickets with no problem ... and their tongues? ... Easily 3 times the length of the animal. My jaw literally dropped the first time I saw a brev zap a cricket from "across the room"
They are truly amazing animals!

-Brad

 

[Dunnigan]

Ha Ha!
Neither of these would be what you expect. Mine eat 1/2 inch crickets with no problem ... and their tongues? ... Easily 3 times the length of the animal. My jaw literally dropped the first time I saw a brev zap a cricket from "across the room"
They are truly amazing animals!

-Brad

Same here, when I saw them first eat I was like whoa!

As far as Cup feeding I wouldent, just make sure that you are not over feeding , you don't want to have a bunch of left over crickets hanging out in your cage

 

[Ddunk1026]

Hmm thanks for all the info! I was curious because I had heard of some people doing it but maybe its not a good idea.

 

[blackbetty]

I do it. I use a small cup that the mealworms came in from the pet store. I put Dubia Nymphs in it and put it in a corner tilted so they cannot get out but are a better view for the Pygs. I dump about 1012 int here. I have a 1.2 setup. And they are gone within 2 days. I have watched and in fact, have pictures, of them cup feeding so it is possible. This was a larger sandwish tupperware container before i came across the small bowl which is perfect for their size.

And of course,the twoferone.

 

[SliK JiM]

That last picture is immense!

 

[blackbetty]

Thank you.

 

[AJA]

This may be lame or stupid on my part since I am still new to pygmies, but I let their food free range. I feel it gives them something to do, has to make them think a little and get some excercise, make them work for it.

 

[Dunnigan]

It does make sense to cup feed the roaches cause they run and hide so fast, but i would defiantly let at least some crickets fee range for the sake of enrichment.

 

[blackbetty]

This may be lame or stupid on my part since I am still new to pygmies, but I let their food free range. I feel it gives them something to do, has to make them think a little and get some excercise, make them work for it.

I do that with crickets.. Dubias will bury themselves though and with all the debris I have, I dont think the pgys would go down an look. In fact, I just found one that I threw in when I first started before I cup fed the dubias and its a sub adult now! I free range crickets and FFs.