dj special k
New Member
Where can I buy grasshoppers either online or somewhere near Los Angeles?
Grasshoppers.
- Thread starter dj special k
- Start date
lele
Avid Member
you can't. There are several species of grasshoppers and locusts that are pest species, especially in the western part of the country, and it is illegal to transport them across state lines. If you mean crickets, just go here: http://www.feederfinder.net/
dj special k
New Member
No, I didn't mean crickets. Thanks though. I've seen and heard about people feeding their chams grasshoppers and I was wondering where I would be able to buy some. I always feed the crickets, and it seems like my chams don't really like mealworms and silkies. I'm gonna try feeding them hornworms, but I wanted to try out other feeders that i've heard people have fed them before. I'm not really into the roaches thing cause frankly, i hate roaches. The roaches in the philippines are freakin huge and i'm just not into being near any. haha
dj special k
New Member
Nobody? darn... 
lele
Avid Member
Nobody? darn...
Maybe I wasn't clear
but the "you can't" in my previous post means that you can't buy them because no body sells them. APHIS/USDA does not allow permits for selling them. period.You can collect them from your backyard or other area and feed them to your cham, just make sure you are collecting from a pesticide/herbicide free area. Take a swoop net or sturdy butterfly net and run it thru tall grasses, gardens etc. but take heed on the pesticide thing. Grasshoppers are meaty insects and will retain pesticides longer than other insects. To be on the safe side you can capture some and keep them for about 5-7 days before feeding off. Offer them healthy greens. You will likely find other insects in the net which you can also feed BUT BE SURE YOU I.D. THEM FIRST! Always steer clear of insects that have natural warning colors of bright reds/black/orange, like fireflies, milkweed bugs, ladybugs, monarch butterflies or their caterpillars, etc. As for your hornworms, you do know that you can't feed them any you just pluck off a tomato plant, right? They have to be fed on chow since the plants contain toxins and larva feeding on them should never be fed.
I know you were looking for a different answer on the grasshoppers, but I hope this helps.
lele
Dyesub Dave
New Member
Just out of curiosity how is it then that we hear of people feeding locusts to their chams? Are they catching wild ones or are locusts different from grasshoppers? I think that I've seen an article somewhere on how to breed your own grasshoppers and if I find it again I'll post the link. A quick google search may find some info. I remember them saying that you need a very tall container as they can jump so high but I think any baby grasshoppers would be pesticide free!!
Dyesub Dave.
Dyesub Dave.
dodolah
Retired Moderator
no grasshopper in LA.
How bout house flies?
I know kammers sell them in a tube.
My cham seems to have an affinity of flying insects.
He gets a little bit too excited when he sees them flies buzzing around.
He hunts flies a little bit too clumsy though
My first chameleon (passed away long time ago) is a very cool hunter and more mature. He just sit very still.. and slowly get near while swaying his body back and forth to mimic leaves.. and whack!!
My new one is just like a little kid seeing a new insect..
He just rush like crazy and runs really fast to get nearby the flies.
C
chameloman72
Guest
Most people feeding locusts and grasshoppers are in the UK!!
Brad Ramsey
Retired Moderator
You can't get locust in the U.S. either.
Sorry.
-Brad
Sorry.
-Brad
dodolah
Retired Moderator
Just out of curiosity how is it then that we hear of people feeding locusts to their chams? Are they catching wild ones or are locusts different from grasshoppers? I think that I've seen an article somewhere on how to breed your own grasshoppers and if I find it again I'll post the link. A quick google search may find some info. I remember them saying that you need a very tall container as they can jump so high but I think any baby grasshoppers would be pesticide free!!
Dyesub Dave.
I think those who are feeding grasshopper as feeder come from UK.
I grew up in South East Asia where grasshopper is so common (in fact, crickets are sold as pet since it is harder to get one there.. off course, not the kind that US Pet stores sell as a feeder.)
So, grasshopper is a very agile insect.
They jump quite high and some of the bigger hoppers able to jump and flap their wing altogether to extend their range of jumping.
If i am not mistaken, grasshopper has thinner and smaller body compared to Locust. It is quite different with Locust. (Locust looked like a bigger version
of crickets).
If you seen grasshopper and locust side by side, you will be able to tell them
apart.
To be honest, I never seen any grasshopper in my current home backyard in California.
Perhaps you can find one in the area fill with grass field.
It is green in coloration and exactly match a luscious green color of grass.
It has pointy head and smooth body. Also the jumping leg is not as prickly as locust. When I was still in my country, I used to catch one and feed them to my cham. The yucky thing about grasshopper is when you catch them and they get nervous, they ooze some yellowish brown liquid thing from their mouth.
but, overall, I can definitely see why Chameleon absolutely adore this feeder.
It looked like a moving grass and the coloration is appetizing.
O as far as pesticides, i think you still should be wary..
Baby grasshopper, the same as Locust, is a voracious eater. You'll be surprised how much this little bugger can eat in a day!
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Dyesub Dave
New Member
We have many varieties of grasshopper here in the summer. Although I remember as a kid that they can bite. I think that if I had a shed or garage or somewhere not it my home I would likely try to breed them.
Dyesub Dave.
Dyesub Dave.
dodolah
Retired Moderator
We have many varieties of grasshopper here in the summer. Although I remember as a kid that they can bite. I think that if I had a shed or garage or somewhere not it my home I would likely try to breed them.
Dyesub Dave.
hmm.. here is the grasshopper that is common in my country.
http://www.deptan.go.id/ditlin-tp/PHOTO DAN PETA/PHOTO/MA/Conochapalus1.jpg
They don't bite although i believe they can.
Locust, however, do bite whenever they presented with the opportunity.
christyo2o2
New Member
I would say if you wer eto catch them go out to the country and try to find a field that is being grown for hay. Normally the farmers there wont use pestisides or fertilizer on hay, being its going to the cattle. There the grasshoppers should be pretty well clean and with all that good grass, in great supply. I would prolly ask the owners if you could catch some though before running out there. Im sure they wont mind once you ask!
Anyone else have any experiance feeding your cham baby gecko's? We have about 40 ghost gecko's on our porch at night and the babies are maybe half inch long from nose to vent. I only give him one or two a week. Hope this doesn't make gecko lovers mad, but I figure the extra protein is great for my veiled. The chase is a fun thing to watch. David
jonpat83
Member
I would be carefull even in hay fields as I live on a farm and we do use fertilizers on the hay fields, although they are safe for cattle and sheep the could be dangerous for reptiles. Also several herbicides are commonly used on hay and could cause damage too. If you do catch some you should keep them in a large preferably mesh cage and keep them with a warm spot upto about 90 fahrenhiet,give them plenty to climb on, give them plenty of fresh clean greens and a container of damp soil or sand and they will breed for you quite happily.
dj special k
New Member
Thanks everybody for the input; this was more input than I had expected and for this i'm grateful to everybody. I wish I had the time to hunt for those insects, but I have just enough time to balance a job, 2 chameleons, a dog, a rabbit, a girlfriend and renovation jobs around the house that take up most of my time. hahaha. I'll stick to crickets, wax worms, and such... Actually, my male cham started taking a liking to silkies and he's learning to eat horn worms. Thanks again.
christyo2o2
New Member
yah I understand your schedule is full... especially that girlfriend part. Thats alot to balance on its own
dj special k
New Member
yah I understand your schedule is full... especially that girlfriend part. Thats alot to balance on its own
you got that right... but i'm handlin' things. I have her temps and humidity at the right levels... mist her 2 times a day for 5 minutes each. i was thinkin about an automister for her to save myselt 10 minutes a day to myself. lol.
Dyesub Dave
New Member
I assume that you're talking about the cham and not the girlfriend?? LOLOLOL
Dyesub Dave.
Dyesub Dave.
