Do you have questions about feeding your reptile Dubia roaches? Studies have shown that Dubia roaches are a great food source for your herp.
Roaches are an excellent, nutritious, and cheaper long-term feeding solution for your critter. But nutrition and cost are not the only things that make Dubia roaches so great. We've got four simple reasons why Dubai roaches are better for your pet than crickets.
So, let's get into it!
Some Dubia Roach Background
Dubia roaches are among the most popular insects for reptile and amphibian feeders. They are also known as Dubia cockroaches or Blaptica Dubia roaches.
These roaches have added value to the reptile-feeding industry for over a decade. They should be a main feature in your pet's regular diet. Dubia roaches also have more calcium and iron than other insects.
Dubia roaches are easy to care for, inexpensive, and suitable for insect-eating animals. If you want your pet insect-eaters to thrive, it is important that you get their diet right.
Here are the most important benefits of feeding your reptile Dubia roaches.
1. Dubia Roaches Are a Nutritious Reptile Food
The biggest benefit of feeding Dubia roaches for reptiles and other insect-eaters is that they provide essential nutrition.
They contain an average of 50% protein per ounce (dry matter basis, or DMB), which is high compared to other insects. They also boast an average of 20% fat (DMB), which is essential to your pet's health. They contain less chitin (3.5% compared to the 9% of the banded cricket), making them easier to digest.
They are also a great source of hydration for your reptile, containing up to 60% water. Dubia roaches are excellent gut-loading insects too. This makes them a wonderful way to sneak extra nutrients into your pet's eating plan.
Dubia roaches will devour fruits and vegetables. Because they have a long digestive tract, they are able to store their food. This means they pass all that goodness along to your pet lizard, tortoise or any insect eating animal.
This high-value nutrition makes them an excellent food source for your pet reptile.
2. Dubia Roaches Are Easy to Care For
Dubia roaches are easy to care for and make great pets. They are very hardy animals and are low maintenance. All you have to do is make sure you provide them with the right environment and keep on top of their feeding.
Dubia roaches are easy to care for once your enclosure is set up. Ensure you have the environment right before introducing any roaches.
Dubia roaches can be kept at room temperature if you plan on just feeding them to your pet. Keeping them at room temperature will slow their growth keeping them at just the size you need for months. If you plan on breeding dubia roaches, then temperatures from 80°F – 85°F is a good range. Using a underneath heat pad or placing a cermaic heat emitter at the top of the enclosure can get you into these breeding temperatures easily. Roaches like to be in the dark but having a light cycle can help increasing productivity.
Aim to maintain a relative humidity level of between 40% - 60%. If you struggle to keep the humidity levels up, use a spray bottle to mist the walls of your enclosure every few days.
Dubia roaches will eat vegetables, fruits, and other high-protein foods. The best way to feed Dubia roaches is to use a dish or bowl of food in the enclosure. If you have a large colony, it may be necessary to feed them more than once a day.
Dubia are not picky about what container you house them in. They will do well in a small tank or box with plenty of ventilation. They don't require any substrate and will create their own over time (frass) which you can let get an inch deep before cleaning.
Dubia roaches don't need much attention, making them ideal pets for people who don't have much time.
3. Dubia Roaches Don't Bite
They don't fly, hiss, climb or jump either.
Dubia roaches come in various sizes, making it easy to get the right one for your particular pet. They're large enough to be good for growing lizards but small enough not to hurt you or your reptile.
These roaches are also easy to breed and reproduce moderately fast, so food will always be available for your pet once you establish a colony which can take up to a year.
They are very docile. Dubia roaches don't move around much unless they're scared or stressed out. Things like bright lights or loud noises might scare them away from their food dish. If you have a large enclosure with plenty of hiding spots, this shouldn't be a problem at all.
Bonus: They don't cause any stress for the reptile as they don't fly or jump. They will not pick at your pet causing injury like other feeder insects can. They also make no noise, and they don't smell!
They are low-cost and easy to breed. Setting up the right enclosures for them is simple. You can get large quantities at any time and at a reasonable cost, and feeding them is easy too.
4. Dubia Roaches Are Clean
Dubia roaches are famous for being one of the cleanest feeder insects, and it's true!
Dubia roaches self-groom more than any other species on the planet, including humans. Regular molting strips them of the last dirt, making them a perfect snack for reptiles. Vertebrates take longer to digest, so a food source that's as clean as possible is vital.
Dubia Roaches take care of their living space and keep things neat and tidy in their tanks. They will also get rid of dead dubia, carrying the corpse out of view so it doesn't attract other pests or foul the air.
These factors combined means they are among the cleanest insects on Earth. Cleaner than mealworms, black soldier flies, or crickets, all known disease carriers. Dubia roaches definitely win out in the most hygienic feeder insect category.
Types of Reptiles That Eat Dubia Roaches
Lizards, turtles, tortoises, bearded dragons and geckos are just some animals that enjoy dubia roaches. Spiders and some snakes are also insect-eaters, and may enjoy a roach diet.
Besides these, there are many types of pets that enjoy these bugs for dinner. Insects, fish, birds, and amphibians all love dubia roaches as food too!
Feeding Your Pet Reptile
Working out your pet's dietary requirements can be challenging. There are so many factors to take into consideration.
- How many times a week should you feed it?
- What should each meal consist of?
- Are there any specific foods you should avoid?
- How much protein does your dragon need to ingest in a feed to stay healthy?
How often you feed your herp depends on the species. Some will need feeding 2-3 times a day, while others will need a feed every 2-3 days. Make sure you do your research into your specific pet's requirements.
Use a scale to measure meals to ensure your pet gets the right nutrients. It's important to ensure your pet gets enough protein and calcium, but not too much fat and carbs.
You'll also want to create an optimal environment for feeding time. This includes clean feeding dishes and the correct conditions in the enclosure. Make sure that your lizard also has access to clean water at all times.
Where Can I Get Dubia Roaches?
Whether you're thinking about starting a pet dubia colony or you're keen on dubia as a feed, you'll need a supplier.
There are several places you can find them, but the best way is to order from an online resource. If you want to save money on dubia roaches, the best place to buy them is online. The price of dubia roaches will vary depending on the size of your order, but you can get great deals if you buy in bulk.
If you want to pick up your order in person, check with local pet supply stores in your area for dubia roaches for sale. This will allow you to see their availability and negotiate the best deal possible in person.
Dubia Roaches: Feeding Reptiles
If you're looking for a great food source for your pet reptile, look no further than dubia roaches. They are easy to care for and excellent for your reptile's health. Dubia roaches are a great alternative to mealworms, crickets, and other insects.
They're easy to breed and need very little setup. And with their ability to live up to two years, you won't have a shortage of food. This list is the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the benefits of feeding dubia roaches.
If you're looking for a great food source for your pets, consider dubia roaches. Order your dubia roaches from our store now!