Picklepies
Hatchling Member
Hi all, I though I'd share my success! While the dragons are brumating, I thought it would be a perfect time to try and breed locusts, and I've currently got 20 new hatchlings, with more coming daily, and thought I'd share how I did it
Enclosure
30/30/45 cm (w/d/h) exo Terra with light hood
25w heat mat
LED bulb on 8h timer
6cm of damp coir
Twigs/wood for climbing
How to
1 box of sub adult locusts (large but not adult)
Mine reached adult size and matured in 2 weeks and started mating.
Mine only lay in damp soil so I spray it daily, when I add greens.
Make sure they get enough food, mine often covers the floor and they'll finish it in a day, and they'll breed and lay in no time.
After the first holes (showing they laid) appeared it took 10 days to see the first hatchlings, and a week later I have 20 babies, hatching ~5 a day.
So far I haven't had to replace the adults, but I have added 5 medium locusts, which will grow to adults (hopefully) before the originals die out.
Notes
The males did fight for dominance, going from ~8 to 2, but they get the job done, so i don't really bother about it
They do knock legs off each other, but doesn't seem to change much.
The babies may have hatched earlier, but they're really small and tbh its my husband who keeps me updated as to how many he can see! Could be loads more for all I know
Cost
I already have the enclosure and hood, but it originally cost £20 used about a year ago
The coir cost £1 from poundland and I used half a block
The initial locusts cost £3 for 15
Food (spring greens) 70p p/w
Energy usage is ~5p a week, I haven't really seen an increase, that number is from online calculator's
Overall cost
Initial outlay £24
Monthly £2.85
As I was spending ~£12-18 a week on locusts I'm hoping this will give a good saving overall
Any more questions feel free to ask and I hope this helps someone!
Enclosure
30/30/45 cm (w/d/h) exo Terra with light hood
25w heat mat
LED bulb on 8h timer
6cm of damp coir
Twigs/wood for climbing
How to
1 box of sub adult locusts (large but not adult)
Mine reached adult size and matured in 2 weeks and started mating.
Mine only lay in damp soil so I spray it daily, when I add greens.
Make sure they get enough food, mine often covers the floor and they'll finish it in a day, and they'll breed and lay in no time.
After the first holes (showing they laid) appeared it took 10 days to see the first hatchlings, and a week later I have 20 babies, hatching ~5 a day.
So far I haven't had to replace the adults, but I have added 5 medium locusts, which will grow to adults (hopefully) before the originals die out.
Notes
The males did fight for dominance, going from ~8 to 2, but they get the job done, so i don't really bother about it
They do knock legs off each other, but doesn't seem to change much.
The babies may have hatched earlier, but they're really small and tbh its my husband who keeps me updated as to how many he can see! Could be loads more for all I know
Cost
I already have the enclosure and hood, but it originally cost £20 used about a year ago
The coir cost £1 from poundland and I used half a block
The initial locusts cost £3 for 15
Food (spring greens) 70p p/w
Energy usage is ~5p a week, I haven't really seen an increase, that number is from online calculator's
Overall cost
Initial outlay £24
Monthly £2.85
As I was spending ~£12-18 a week on locusts I'm hoping this will give a good saving overall
Any more questions feel free to ask and I hope this helps someone!