Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

MJ · Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 2:44 pm Post subject:

umm I'm not 100% sure I think lateralis I'll ask them for the definite Latin and post it... I don't know if his experience was a one off or not and I don't wanna scare monger but I'm not gonna even risk it.

I just started with firebrats I use fish tank (18x12x12) hot and dry 80-90 degrees in old money Laughing

so abut 30 c. News paper and egg carton for substrate and slighty damp cotton wool for egglaying.. apparently they take ages to get going well some say 6 months Shocked

fed on bran and dog biscuit. Not sure I will continue with them as only the larger frogs can take them and the bulk of my collection are pumilio and thumb nail species.
_________________
Paul

For all your Tropical plant and Naturalistic Vivarium needs please enjoy Urban Bromeliad

RonW · Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 4:40 pm Post subject:

mark68 · Contributing Member Joined: 02 Mar 2007 Posts: 160

Thanks Paul for the advice. I have read they like really hot temps like 35-40c (new money). Hence the name firebrats.

I think B. lateralis (name used in U.S) are the same as Shelfordella tartara (name used in Europe), =common name red runners or turkestan roach. My Red Runners are bred in a building around 150 metres from my house ! They are used there, as food and also in my outdoor enclosures which are also a similiar distance from the house. I started using them outdoors in 2006. I noticed in the spring of 2007 runners still alive in the same enclosures that must have survived the winter, since I had yet used anymore yet then in 2007. That winter included many frosts with temps down to -5c. Again this year temps down to -6c and yet they seem alive and well under water dishes outdoors (seen two days ago). Warning this is a tough roach !!!!

Ajfr0ggy · I've settled in... Joined: 04 Feb 2007 Posts: 33

That is interesting. Are the enclosures heated in any way? Frost free areas for herps?

Ive got a few breeding at the moment, when my numbers are high enough I'll see what this roach can do..

mark68 · Contributing Member Joined: 02 Mar 2007 Posts: 160

No, the enclosures are not heated in any way except by the sun ! The enclosures are open air, only covered by chicken wire to keep cats, foxes etc out. There are areas underground that both the reptiles and roaches can excape from both extreme cold or heat. So I am not suggesting that they can survive freezing, but this shows how tough they are to survive months at very low temps. We have had many frosts already this year and I have seen these roaches still alive after that, only just below the suface.

mark_w · Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 11:06 pm Post subject:

I've been breeding 1000's of red runners for a few years now. They occasionally turn up in the house, but I'm positive that they have never bred in the house. They might breed in my reptile room, specifically in my very large (40 sq. ft) tegu tank, but have never become a problem. I use sticky roach traps for peace of mind. Also, I am careful with feeding them only in escape proof vivs, or using forceps, or crushing their head first!

Mark.

mark68 · Contributing Member Joined: 02 Mar 2007 Posts: 160

I'm glad to hear that. But how do you design a viv that does not let red runners out ? You can make escapes rare but prevent them 100 %, not sure its possible ? We are often told that it is a good idea to try to promote the hobby in a positive way. Unless you live in a detached house you risk really freaking out neighbours if they find your escapes ! We might know R.R's are probably harmless, and can't be compared to "pest species" but I'm not sure neighbours or the authorities will see it that way !

MJ · Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 3:32 pm Post subject:

I need real small nymphs there's no way I'll be sitting there feeding the frogs of tweezers Laughing

a good 90% of my vivs are fruit fly proof Cool

_________________
Paul

For all your Tropical plant and Naturalistic Vivarium needs please enjoy Urban Bromeliad

mark_w · Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 9:35 pm Post subject:

My German-made all glass vivs are escape proof...

With normal wooden'melamine style vivs, I either feed tame lizards off forceps, or crush the roaches heads and drop into an escape proof ceramic bowl. They can't climb the sides. I crush their heads in case they climb out using the lizard as an aid! You get the hang of crushing them just enough so they are still moving but can't recover.

For my various turtles, the turtles go in a tub of water, and a handful of adult runners thrown in. Again, no way of escape.

Mark 68, I have discussed this species at length with my local Environmental Health Officer who is (just about) ok with my breeding them!!!

Cheers,
Mark.

Bri. · Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 11:38 pm Post subject:

You could try firefly mimics. They are the smallest roach I keep myself.
I found Green Banana Roaches a pain as the nymphs burrow into the substrate. B. lateralis are great, but very invasive !!! I think I've got almost as many living free range in my shed as I do in my breeding tubs. Males do fly, and can climb smooth surfaces if they are not completely clean.

Sounds like you want a non burrowing, non glass climbing roach that breeds easily and quickly.