3 crickets left overnight

[j5709]

I just got 2 dragons yesterday. I put crickets in their cage and I would guess they ate a dozen or so small ones. They only ate them on the basking rock, and did not chase them down in the non basking rock part of the cage. They each ate about 6 pieces of collard greens too, but only if I hand fed them.

Before going to bed I took them out, emptied their cage of rock, paper towels etc. I chased down all the crickets in their cage, one by one. I looked carefully for any remaining crickets, but in the morning one cage had three small ones about 1/16th of an inch each. Is that a huge problem? Should I only feed the dragons crickets in a bin outside the cage? Emptying the aquarium of crickets was a major hassle. What should I do going forward?

-Jeff

 

[nesta's mommy]

i use a 20 gal rubbermaid bin to feed in when i used crix... they like to hide everywhere and they shouldn't be left in the tank overnight as they are nocturnal and will eat your beardie

 

[chels1983]

If you do keep feeding them in their own cage, I would recommend you stay with crickets that are a good amount below the largest size that they can eat (like you seem to be doing now). That way there is less of a chance that they will do major damage if you miss them (but I know you will do your best to catch them ). Those little buggers like to hide! Also, my vet told me the smaller ones are more nutritious (less exoskeleton). Of course it does make them harder to catch..

Is there anywhere like a basking platform or a stick where they may hide? I had an old basking platform with a hole in it, and crickets would hide inside there. I ended up patching the hole, which made it easier than trying to shake crickets out every night.

I cant recommend the separate bin from experience, since I haven't tried it, but it seems like a good idea based on what I've read from other people. It may make things a bit simpler.