Reptile Supplies » Reptile Live Food » Locust Live Food

Reptile Live Food

The Locust

Being Vegetarian Locusts eat fresh insecticide-free grass or cabbage and Progrub. All sizes of Lizards will readily eat locust and because they are slower moving than Crickets, they are easier for lizards to catch and eat. One good point is that if the lizard leaves a few locust in the Vivarium they wont bite like crickets can. Locusts wont survive very long if they escape and dont make annoying chirping noises all night.
Locusts provide more nutrition than other live food insects can, they are nurtured on a very high fibre diet consisting of bran and cabbage. Adult Locusts are one of the largest live food insect source that are farmed, or bred for the livefood industry. Locusts grow very quickly from hatching out of its egg pod to being able to reproduce itself the locust will take 42 days. That is if the Locusts are kept in ideal conditions. The Locusts should reach approximately 7cm. It is not only the size of Locusts that make them an attractive food source to predators, but the bright yellow wing case and abdomen, making a perfect treat for large chameleons or geckos.

The Live Food must be kept in a warm dry enclosure, with humidity at a minimum. Damp or cool conditions can cause the Locusts to lose there colour and eventually may even die. Locust that have been travelling overnight, by courier or postal service will need to be transferred on arrival, use a larger box or tank with a tight-fitting well ventilated lid. The Locust should be stored at a temperature of 25-30oC (80-85oF). Locusts need Perching areas these can be provided for the Locusts in the form of cardboard egg cartons. This will also to reduce stress of the Locusts which will reduce cannibalism. A small saucer of bran or progrub can also be placed in with the Locusts.
Fresh cabbage leaves should be provided every day for the Locusts, ensure that any cabbage is washed and contains no pesticides. Feed the Locusts daily, any uneaten old leaves should be removed from the Locust habitat.