FAQ: Food for reptiles

Locusts are kept in a well-ventilated box somewhere warm, as they weaken and die quickly in the cold. They are given fresh grass, wheatgrass or lettuce, and the box is cleaned so droppings and moisture do not build up.

Dubia roaches are high in protein, low in chitin, silent and odourless, cannot climb smooth surfaces and do not fly. They live a long time in a tub, which makes them a popular staple for lizards.

Dubia roaches are a tropical species that needs warmth and humidity, so they generally do not breed in a normal flat. Still, keep them sealed in and do not leave uneaten ones in the terrarium.

Yes, many keepers keep a dubia colony in a warm tub with egg crates, dry food and a moisture source such as vegetables. It is cheaper than buying all the time, but a colony takes a few months to get going.

Mealworms are easy to keep and liked by many lizards, but they contain more fat and tough chitin than crickets or roaches. So they are usually combined with other insects rather than fed on their own.

Mealworms are kept somewhere cool in a tub of bran or oats, with a slice of carrot or potato for moisture. In the cool they turn into pupae and beetles more slowly, so they stay usable for feeding longer.

Superworms are much bigger larvae with strong jaws, so they suit only larger lizards. They are fatty, so they are usually an extra rather than a staple, and they are not kept in the fridge because the cold kills them.

Waxworms are very fatty and sweet, so reptiles love them, but fed often they can cause obesity or make the reptile refuse other food. They work as an occasional treat or, with a vet's advice, to help a weak animal gain weight.

Black soldier fly larvae are naturally high in calcium compared with other insects and have a good calcium-to-phosphorus ratio. They suit many lizards and geckos, though larger reptiles need a lot of them because they are small.

Silkworms are soft, juicy, high in protein and low in fat, so they suit many lizards and chameleons. They need feeding on mulberry leaves or a dedicated chow and keeping warm, as they are delicate.

Hornworms are large, soft and full of moisture, so they add variety and hydration for lizards and chameleons. They grow very fast, so buy them in small quantities and feed them within a short time.

Specially bred snails suit some reptiles, such as blue-tongued skinks and some aquatic turtles. Wild snails may carry parasites or poisons, so collecting them outdoors is not advised.

Fireflies and other glowing insects are not recommended for reptiles because they are toxic, nor are wild-caught insects due to pesticides and parasites, or stinging and foul-smelling insects. Insects bred for the purpose are safest.

Crickets are kept in a well-ventilated tub with egg crates to hide in, dry food and a moisture source such as vegetables or water gel. Clean the tub regularly, because dead crickets soon start to smell.

The most common causes are cold, a lack of ventilation or moisture, no food and overcrowding. Moving the insects to a roomier tub, giving them food and moisture and keeping them warm makes them live much longer.

An open water dish often ends with drowned insects, so water gel, moist vegetables or fruit slices are used instead. They provide moisture and also add to the insects' nutrition.

With proper care, crickets and locusts usually last a few weeks, dubia roaches months and mealworms a long time in the cool. So buy short-lived insects in smaller quantities and long-lived ones in larger amounts.

Mealworms and some larvae can be kept cool for a while to slow their development, but not all: superworms, crickets, locusts and roaches die in the cold. Chilled insects should warm to room temperature before feeding.

It helps to move insects in a tub or bag that can be chilled briefly in the fridge to slow them down. Some keepers use insect dispensers with an opening or offer them one at a time with tongs.

Cricket tubs naturally smell a little, but a strong unpleasant odour usually means dead insects, too much moisture or built-up droppings. Regular cleaning, removing dead insects and better ventilation help.