Considering which roach colony to set up next.

[Olimpia]

I currently have some dwarf cave roaches that have been with me for a few months now and I will be receiving a large starter colony of discoids in the next couple days. I also have some suriname roaches that are doing well. Obviously, the theme is that they can't climb plastic and are legal in Florida.

I am trying to fade out crickets as much as possible and turn them into a variety feeder and not a "staple" feeder, so I'm looking into other roach options. I need small nymphs for baby chameleons and what not but I will also need large roaches as well for when our savannah monitor gets bigger, so I'd like to start a couple more colonies of things to meet all these different needs.

As far as the large roaches I'm considering something from the hisser family. However, I understand that they climb. I use containers with lids on everything I use with roaches, but for anyone who has one of these species, how are they to deal with? Do they charge to get out the second you open the lid or is it not that horrible? Do you use anything that works to keep them from climbing the walls?

Then, as far as more moderately sized roaches, does anyone like and recommend Orange heads (Eublaberus prosticus)?

Anything else anyone recommends?

 

[pssh]

I dont think hissers or orange heads are legal. I'll come back with a list of introduced and native florida species once i find it again.

EDIT: Here you go. Apparently it was published in an article in 1990. So there are probably more now.

http://www.roachforum.com/index.php?showtopic=3256

 

[Olimpia]

Oh shoot, you're right. I remember reading that about hissers at some point. I guess I'm down to what... giant cave roaches maybe?

 

[pssh]

There are a couple on there that people frequently keep, and some used as feeders. If I'm remembering correctly, E. floridana makes an okay feeder. Kyle from roach crossing might have info on if any others are legal.