madagascar hissing roaches

[Elaina]

I went to our local kids' museum this w/e. They have madagascar hissing roaches, which exploded from a few to a hundred. They feed the smaller ones to the beardies they have there (which is another post altogether..lets say I may have volunteer job lined up..poor things). Here is my roach question...how big is too big? I know about the space between the eye rule, but it comes into question for me when I know that Lola can take down a bigger-then-the rules roach. I found this out accidentally when a big one jumped out at a feeding and she had NO problem.
So with the hissing roaches..if they are about the size of a dubia, are they safe to feed? How big is too big? I ask also because the staff said they don't know what to do with the colony except erqadicate them. Any suggestions of what other animals would be able to eat them?

 

[patrickb]

The whole reason for the space between the eyes rule is to reduce the risk of impaction and also to prevent choking. A lizard could very well eat a larger prey item, but it may choke on it and suffocate or the remains may not digest properly and create impaction, both of which are no good.

Hissers have a slightly thicker and hard exoskeleton than other species of roaches but they are sometimes fed to various animals still. They should not be a problem following the proper size rule, maybe a bit smaller to be on the ultra safe side. Freshly molted white ones are preferable since the exoskeleton hasn't had the chance to harden yet. The main reason you won't see them being a staple is because they breed and grow very slow and there are just much better alternatives out there.

The beardies should be ok eating them (as long as that is not their main food source). Other animals pretty much anything that will eat an insect. Grass/garter snakes, tarantulas, scorpions, mice/rats, various birds, fish, turtles are just a few examples.

 

[Elaina]

I was so tired when I posted this..I'm surprised it made sense!

Ok, good..so I have more to go on for the museum staff. They do have some other animals they can feed the roaches to then. That may help the situation. From what I saw- the hissers were not a staple for the beardies- so that's also good news. Thanks!!!