Crickets (Acheta Domesticus) are the most commonly used live food for many different pets. Crickets are frequently used to feed fish, reptiles, frogs, salamanders, birds, spiders, scorpions and hopping mice. However they are also used for many other animals.
Amazingly they are even eaten by us, humans! In countries like Indonesia, they buy and sell crickets and grasshoppers in large quantities in their markets. They make all sorts of wonderful dishes from them, but also eat them fresh, straight off the ground. You can even get a “cricket lick-it”, which is a popular lolly with a real cricket inside! Care to try one?
Crickets are not really suitable as pets, so we have not provided the usual pet information below. One of the main reason is their 12 to 14 week life span. We have still made a care sheet however, as most crickets perish before they should expire due to lack of care. It’s also important to know that their nutritional value for your pet is diminished if they are not properly looked after.
INTRODUCTION
Crickets (Acheta Domesticus) are the most commonly used live food for many different pets. Crickets are frequently used to feed fish, reptiles, frogs, salamanders, birds, spiders, scorpians and hopping mice. However they are also used for many other animals. Amazingly they are even eaten by us, humans! In countries like Indonesia, they buy and sell crickets and grasshoppers in large quantities in their markets. They make all sorts of wonderful dishes from them, but also eat them fresh, straight off the ground. Pictured right 1s a “cricket lick-it”. A popular lolly with a real cricket inside!
NUTRITION
Crickets should not be the sole diet for any animal. It should also be noted that crickets are only as nutritious as the food they themselves are eating. If your crickets are starving before feeding them to your pet, their nutritional value will be less than half of that if they were fed properly. So your pet will benefit if your crickets are fed well and healthy. Because of this the following chart should be considered a guide only:
Moisture 74%
Ash 1%
Protein 18%
Fat 6%
Other 1%
Crickets are not a significant source of Vitamin D3 or Calcium, and hence can be dusted with supplements depending on your pets requirements. Offering your pet a variety of food is also encouraged.
CARE
Crickets supplied by pet stores need little care. They have sufficient food to last them and acquire moisture from a piece of carrot that will need to be replaced every two days. Crickets live for 12 to 14 weeks and when bought as an adult (large) usually only have 2 or 3 weeks before they expire.
