Roaches

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Feeding live roaches to reptiles and other insectivorous pets

Feeding live roaches to reptiles and other insectivorous pets is a common practice due to their high nutritional value and ease of breeding. Here is a list of roach species that are commonly used as live food:

1. Dubia Roach (Blaptica dubia)

  • Description: Medium-sized roaches, typically brown or black. Adults have wings but rarely fly.
  • Benefits: High protein content, low fat, and easy to digest. They are relatively slow-moving, making them easy for pets to catch.
  • Care: Require a warm, humid environment and a diet of fresh fruits, vegetables, and commercial roach chow. They have a slow reproductive rate but are easy to breed and maintain.

2. Turkestan Roach (Shelfordella lateralis)

  • Description: Also known as red runner roaches. Smaller, fast-moving roaches with a reddish-brown colour.
  • Benefits: High reproductive rate, making them readily available. They are nutritious and easily digestible.
  • Care: Prefer warm, dry conditions and a diet of fruits, vegetables, and dry dog food or commercial insect feed.

3. Discoid Roach (Blaberus discoidalis)

  • Description: Large, dark brown roaches with a broad, flattened body.
  • Benefits: High in protein and suitable for larger reptiles. They have a slower reproductive rate but are easy to manage.
  • Care: Thrive in warm, humid environments and eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, and commercial roach feed.

4. Lobster Roach (Nauphoeta cinerea)

  • Description: Medium-sized, slender roaches that are brown with light banding. Known for their climbing ability.
  • Benefits: High reproductive rate and nutritious. Suitable for reptiles that enjoy active prey.
  • Care: Need a warm, humid environment and a diet of fresh produce and dry food.

5. Orange-Head Roach (Eublaberus posticus)

  • Description: Large roaches with a distinctive orange head and dark body.
  • Benefits: High in protein and fat, making them ideal for underweight or breeding reptiles. They are easy to handle and breed.
  • Care: Require a warm, humid environment and a diet rich in fruits and vegetables.

6. Green Banana Roach (Panchlora nivea)

  • Description: Small, bright green roaches that are very active and can fly.
  • Benefits: High in protein and very appealing to reptiles due to their colour and movement.
  • Care: Need a warm, humid environment and a diet of fresh fruits and vegetables.

7. Blaberus craniifer (Death’s Head Roach)

  • Description: Large roaches with a distinctive skull-like pattern on their pronotum. They are usually dark brown or black.
  • Benefits: High protein content and suitable for larger reptiles. They are relatively slow and easy to handle.
  • Care: Require a warm, humid environment and a diet of fruits, vegetables, and commercial roach feed.

8. Peppered Roach (Archimandrita tesselata)

  • Description: One of the largest roach species, with a mottled brown and tan coloration.
  • Benefits: High in protein and suitable for large reptiles. They are hardy and have a long lifespan.
  • Care: Thrive in warm, humid conditions and need a diet of fresh produce and protein sources.

9. Giant Cave Roach (Blaberus giganteus)

  • Description: Very large roaches with a distinctive wing pattern and a light brown to tan coloration.
  • Benefits: Provide a substantial meal for large reptiles. They are high in protein and easy to digest.
  • Care: Require a warm, humid environment and a varied diet of fruits, vegetables, and commercial insect feed.

10. Surinam Roach (Pycnoscelus surinamensis)

  • Description: Small to medium-sized, glossy brown roaches that burrow.
  • Benefits: High in protein and suitable for small to medium-sized reptiles. They are also live bearers, making them easy to breed.
  • Care: Require a warm, humid environment and a diet of decaying plant material, fruits, and vegetables.

11. Pale-bordered Field Roach (Pseudomops septentrionalis)

  • Description: Medium-sized roaches with a distinctive pale border around their wings.
  • Benefits: High in protein and suitable for medium to large reptiles. They are active and stimulate natural hunting behaviours.
  • Care: Thrive in warm, humid conditions and need a diet of fresh produce and commercial insect feed.

12. Orange-Spotted Roach (Blaptica dubia var. orange)

  • Description: A variant of the Dubia roach with distinctive orange spots on their body.
  • Benefits: High protein content, low fat, and easy to digest. Similar care requirements as the standard Dubia roach.
  • Care: Require a warm, humid environment and a diet of fresh fruits, vegetables, and commercial roach chow.

Nutritional Value and Feeding Guidelines

  • Nutritional Value: Roaches are an excellent source of protein, vitamins, and minerals. They are generally low in fat and high in moisture, making them a balanced food source.
  • Gut-Loading: Feed roaches a nutritious diet 24-48 hours before offering them to pets. This practice, known as gut-loading, ensures that the nutrients are passed on to the reptiles.
  • Dusting: Dust roaches with a calcium supplement before feeding them to reptiles to prevent nutritional deficiencies, especially important for species with high calcium needs.

Care Tips for Keeping Roaches

  1. Housing:

Use a well-ventilated container or terrarium with secure lids to prevent escapes.

Provide hiding places like egg cartons, paper towel rolls, or cork bark.

  1. Temperature and Humidity:

Maintain a warm environment with temperatures ranging from 75-85°F (24-29°C).

Humidity levels should be around 40-60% depending on the species. Some species, like Dubia roaches, prefer higher humidity.

  1. Diet:

Offer a balanced diet of fresh fruits, vegetables, and commercial roach chow.

Provide a source of water through moisture-rich foods or water gels to prevent dehydration.

  1. Breeding:

Many roach species are easy to breed. Ensure optimal temperature and humidity conditions, and provide sufficient food and space.

Separate breeding colonies from feeder colonies to maintain a steady supply of roaches.

Benefits of Feeding Roaches

  • High Nutritional Value: Rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals.
  • Variety: Providing a variety of prey items ensures a balanced diet and stimulates natural hunting behaviours.
  • Ease of Care: Roaches are relatively easy to breed and maintain, making them a sustainable food source.

By selecting the appropriate roach species and providing proper care, you can ensure a healthy and nutritious food source for your reptiles and other insectivorous pets.

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