Is this hopper safe to feed ?

[Texas Ranger]

Hey guys I caught a few of these hoppers and let them breed now I have some baby hoppers. They breed and hatched so fast I didnt even have time to see if they are safe for my chams to eat. Has anyone feed these hoppers befor or do you know what kind they are?

 

[Eltortu]

I have fed them to my pets too for awhile with not a problem that I could tell. Have you noticed they make a "crunch" noise as your reptiles chew them? One thing for sure, always cut the hind legs!

 

[Texas Ranger]

I have fed them to my pets too for awhile with not a problem that I could tell. Have you noticed they make a "crunch" noise as your reptiles chew them? One thing for sure, always cut the hind legs!

I havent feed any of them yet I didnt know if they were safe
How are your little Leos doing by the way?

 

[Eltortu]

^^They are doing fine. I have two so far. I'll post some pictures on that thread...

 

[Texas Ranger]

Awesome cant wait to see.

 

[Lizardlover]

Yes it is safe.

 

[Texas Ranger]

Is there a site that I can go to that will tell me what is safe or not?

 

[Lizardlover]

No not really. Almost all grasshoppers are safe besides lubbers.

 

[Aminah Undone]

It resembles a few of the Schistocerca or Bird Grasshoppers.

 

[Texas Ranger]

It resembles a few of the Schistocerca or Bird Grasshoppers.

Thanks that looks close to what I have. We have all kinds of hoppers down here I just dont know what is safe or not? If anyone can put up a quick list of safe grasshopper feeders It would make things a lot easyer for when I got to get more

 

[Texas Ranger]

No not really. Almost all grasshoppers are safe besides lubbers.

Wow just read this. That sounds good why are only lubbers not safe I know thay look poisonous?

 

[wsidepinoy]

Wow just read this. That sounds good why are only lubbers not safe I know thay look poisonous?

was just reading this and found this about lubbers

http://www.grasshopperfacts.net/lubber_grasshopper/lubber_grasshopper.html

 

[Texas Ranger]

Ok now I am confused Is this a lubber that i have?

 

[wsidepinoy]

i dunno lol i was just interested in lubbers so i read up on em

 

[Aminah Undone]

In one of your pics, the hopper has clearly regurged the "tobacco juice". If it were mine and my Chams, I would pass. Safe than sorry and all that.

How old is the one you have pictured? The markings on its legs give me reason to think it is more mature than some on the Bug Guide images ..the Bird Grasshoppers.. or it isn't a Bird at all and it is younger or hasn't got its full color on its legs. (I saw some others that looked a lot more like yours, but they had substantial red on their legs.)

Good Luck!

 

[Todnedo]

It's a differential grasshopper
http://bugguide.net/node/view/146483

 

[molson101]

It's a differential grasshopper for sure. It looks exact to that pic.

 

[Lizardlover]

Tobacco juice is spit up by all orthoptera. Even crickets will do it. Lubbers eat a variety of toxic plants and can excrete toxins when disturbed. That grasshopper is safe.

 

[Texas Ranger]

Wow thanks guys I just want to make sure im not giving the wrong hoppers.

 

[Motherlode Chameleon]

I'm surprised that more chameleon keepers are not attempting to breed grasshoppers. They are more prolific, easier to breed/keep and almost more preferred food choice than mantis.