Crickets More Docile with Lower Temp?

[johncjb]

So I've noticed that the crickets become more docile and "lazy" in lower temperatures (65 - 70F) compared to their energetic bounciness when kept in higher temperatures (80 - 85F). Would it be alright if I kept them at low temperatures so it wouldn't be so difficult to handle them? When kept at 85F they all freak out and bounce like crazy every time I open the cage.

(Been thinking about having a gut loading cage with a lower temperature and a larger cage with a higher temp)

 

[ridgebax1]

When I kept crickets for my chameleons I kept them at room temperature. The only bugs I provided heat for were roaches and horn/silk worms. Even at that the silks and horns were just kept over a heat vent so they got heat when the furnace is running. I use a ceramic heat emitter for the roaches. They are the ones that like it toasty so they can reproduce.

I suppose if you have an area that doesn't get too cold, say maybe around 45-50 degrees you could keep them there. I don't think it makes them "docile" per se, I think it just makes them want to hibernate. So in the long run it probably would be better took keep them active so they can get properly gut loaded. If they are sleepy and docile, they probably aren't eating.

 

[Mike Fisher]

You'll get more dead ones at low temps. 70 is about as low as I like to go with them or you get a higher rate of die offs.

 

[CarlC]

Less active means less eating. Less eating means less good stuff in the crickets to provide nutrition for your chameleon.

Carl

 

[deerharvester]

Carl,
I was wondering this a while ago. I found myself contemplating whether this to be the case or if it is actually closer to the same? I was thinking that maybe because they used less energy that they probably weren't burning as much of the food off. Im not saying this is the case, i was just wondering your thoughts on this theory? I have to keep mine in the garage which is attached to the house(my wife hates the sound/smell), but it gets really cold. So, i use 2 heat mats. But i was wondering about this same issue, because during winter their feeding goes down substantial.

Scott

 

[CarlC]

Scott I have always tried to keep crickets as warm as possible. My thinking is that if they are not warm they are not processing the food they are eating. Yes the crickets might have a gut loaded with food but if the food is not being broken down and processed what's the point.

Carl

 

[Bush baby]

It's not necessary for crickets to process the food they've eaten in order to benefit our chams. Hell, it might be more beneficially if it isn't processed and is just sitting in their gut. So long as they eat, and it's in their stomach…..that's why keeping them warm is important because if it's not warm enough, they won't eat and our chams will end up eating crickets with empty stomachs.