Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

Muttley_109 · Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 4:35 pm Post subject: Cannibal Roaches

I've just watched a lobster roach attempt to shed. It managed to get its head out but then fell off the side of the tub.
As soon as it hit the floor another roach ran over and looked like it was trying to pull the shed skin off. Not long after three more roaches,( I dont know the name but the stage before they are adult) ran over and started fighting over the white roach. One ran off with the shed skin, the others kept fighting. Then an adult roach ran over picked up the white roach and ran off under the egg carton.

What were they up to? Were they just fighting over the shed? Did the adult come to the rescue?
Or are they just nasty little buggers that were going to eat the defenceless roach?

Rickeezee · Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 4:40 pm Post subject:

Who knows but I guess they wanted to eat the shed skin as its full of nutrients.

Perhaps they were re-enacting an historical saga for your entertainment all sounds good fun either way Laughing

I have not found lobsters to be cannibalistic but mine allways have a good supply of food. I have however found some other roach species to be nasty swines like that.
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Muttley_109 · Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 4:54 pm Post subject:

It was fascinating to watch. If they were going to eat it they cant be doing that too often as the numbers are still increasing. Maybe it was just the juveniles squabbleing over the skin and the adult came to break it up?

Rickeezee · Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 5:11 pm Post subject:

Insectsunlimited · Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 5:29 pm Post subject: Roach CANNABALISM

Hi, Dave again & if it looks as though the newly shed was being "eaten" by others, it could possibly be because they don`t have enough moisture. They do eat dead carcasses. Roaches are not "normally cannibalistic" ... BUT there is an exception... male adult EUBLABERUS prosticus (Orange head roach), will actively eat their own nymphs... & a selection of other insects too (not standard mealworms cos I tried them)... & on the subject of mealworms (Tenebrio molitar), they will eat each other for moisture too... usually when they shed into pupa... & are defenceless. Regards... Dave.
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Dave Messer @ Insectsunlimited.

It may be the early bird that gets the worm but it`s the 2nd mouse that gets the cheese.

Rickeezee · Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 5:34 pm Post subject:

I prefer the Silence of the Lambs Theory. Very Happy

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www.rickslivefood.co.uk

Muttley_109 · Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 5:37 pm Post subject:

I just has a look under the egg cartons to see if i could find the white roach but theres no sign of it.

I dont think its moisture as i usually mist them once or twice a day.

maybe im not feeding them enough.

Do you know if they will eat IAMS cat biscuits as I have loads for the gliders.

I usually give the roaches salad/squash etc the same as i give my beardie really.

Muttley_109 · Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 5:39 pm Post subject:

I just found the adult!

He had a napkin around his neck and a mini bottle of chianti Shocked

Rickeezee · Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 5:39 pm Post subject:

I feed my roaches kibble at times so I dont see why not.
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www.rickslivefood.co.uk

Rickeezee · Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 5:40 pm Post subject: