In the US, 4.5 million households have reptiles as pets. This is only 3.8% of all households, and it’s clear that reptiles aren’t as popular as dogs and cats. However, these animals can bring you much joy, even without warm fuzzy fur!
If you’re interested in owning reptiles, then you need to know how to properly care for them. Part of this is feeding them the right things (bugs).
Read on for a quick guide comparing Dubia roaches and Madagascar hissing roaches so you can pick the best one.
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Dubia Roaches
Dubia roaches are moderate-sized roaches that grow to 2 inches big. They’re easy to find, are one of the cheapest roaches around, and are simple to care for, so they’re great for beginners!
Other benefits of Dubia roaches for reptiles are that they don’t have a bad odor, reproduce quickly (but don’t reproduce outside of the enclosure), and are very meaty. They’re also poor fliers, so if they escape, they won’t be hard to find.
However, they have hard shells, which can be tough for smaller reptiles to eat. Plus, they’re illegal in the states of Florida and Hawaii.
Madagascar Hissing Roaches
Madagascar hissing roaches are a bit bigger than Dubia roaches; they can grow up to 4 inches big and can’t fly since they don’t have wings. Do note that they’re skilled climbers though, so they’ll escape when given the chance!
These roaches have low odor and are easy to find since people often keep them as pets. They also live up to five years, making them cost-effective.
The drawbacks of Madagascar hissing roaches for reptiles are that there’s a high upfront cost to buy them, and it’s hard to buy them in bulk. If you’re not used to their hissing noises, then they can be unsettling. In addition, if you live in Florida, you’ll need to get a permit to own them.
Dubia Roaches vs Madagascar Roaches
Most reptiles need 30-60% protein, so Dubia roaches win out here with a value of around 45%. Madagascar hissing roaches have almost 65% protein, which may be too high for some pets.
Dubia roaches also have very little chitin, which makes them easier to digest (despite their tough shells). In addition, they also have a better calcium-to-phosphorus ratio for reptiles. And they’re more mobile than Madagascar roaches, so your pets will get some exercise chasing them down.
You might be wondering: what do cockroaches eat? The good news is, both can survive off your food waste, so you don’t have to get anything special to feed your roaches.
Get the Right Roaches for Reptiles
When comparing Dubia roaches to Madagascar hissing roaches, generally speaking, the former’s better for pet reptiles. But if you’re interested in having roaches as pets, and/or you have larger reptiles, then Madagascar hissing roaches can be good too.
The most important thing is to provide your reptiles with variety in their diet. That way, they’ll be in optimal health!
To learn more about caring for reptiles, keep reading our blog posts.
