YAY rollie pollies
- Thread starter seanUTD
- Start date
sandrachameleon
Chameleon Enthusiast
Be aware that rollie pollies are heavy metal bioacumulators, can eat vegetation that could be harmful to your chameleon, and can also carry parasites. While these are definately a favourite of many chameleons, its best to use captive bred ones. You can use wild ones to start your breeding colony. They are easy keep, but slow to reproduce.
See here for info:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blo...-isopods-pillbugs-wood-sow-rollie-pollie.html
See here for info:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blo...-isopods-pillbugs-wood-sow-rollie-pollie.html
I gathered a bunch (like 50 or so) into a jar of dirt that I kept moist and threw in some fish flakes every few days and I had thousands of babies in no time at all!! I think it was because I picked up enough that some had eggs that hatched in the jar. But regardless, had tons of them. I use them mostly for cleaner bugs in my pygmy tanks. If you're going to use them as feeders then get babies and feed them veggies so you know they aren't full of metals and such from wherever they came from. Just beware with little mouths 
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pssh
Avid Member
They actually raise the babies in a brood pouch and keep them there for a while after they are fully developed. They then release the babies from the pouch in a secure, moist area. They can have up to 150 or so babies at one time. Of course, the larger species are going to have larger broods. They are also capable of reproducing when they are about half grown so once they get going, you're good. I'm working on culturing a species that are about an inch long at adulthood so larger chameleons can easily see and eat them.
seanUTD
New Member
Lol where do you think I got the idea Sandra
I saw a post you took part in a while back lol.. inspiration at a fingertip... I do plan on breeding them... I haven't fed ANY to Stanley yet and I will be waiting for at LEAST a second generation... I put in about 200 I found... Yes I did search that long.... and I am already using carrots, cricket feed (crude protein) cardboard and leaf litter to clear their systems and let them mate... They already seem to be deVOURING everything
Leroux2008
Member
Whattttt we can feed them rolly pollies? At work we have these guys EVERYWHERES ... everyday you see more than like 50 of these guys..... I think ill be doing this too =] I did read its best to wait until they have babies to feed them cause of them being harmful. They eat fish flakes 0.0
seanUTD
New Member
Yea but so far I've been watching them all day and they seem to be doing GREAT with leaf litter and carrots... I've already seen a few naughty actions going on so hopefully in a few weeks I'll be swimming baby isopods
Leroux2008
Member
how does the naughty action take place 0.0 Ive never seen insects mate XD XD I jsut hear my male crickets calling the females but I never watch lol. Ya I figure Ill feed them my veggies when they start to go old... and dead crickets wowww... Makes me feel so much better to know that Im not wasting crickets when they die XD XD. I hate when my feeders die without being fed lol.... im like awww =[[ I just got silkworms in... bout to set up their little tank. <3
sandrachameleon
Chameleon Enthusiast
If you use fish flake food for your rollie pollies, be sure to STOP using it at least a week prior to feeding off the rollie pollies as high animal protein and fat content isnt good for chameleons.
Leroux2008
Member
ya I was just curious didnt plan on going buy fish food just to feed feeders XD
Ill use ma leftover veggies <3
Ill use ma leftover veggies <3
Yes I should have clarified that I stopped using it once I had babies. It was just to sustain the breeders. Thanks for setting the record straight!
sandrachameleon
Chameleon Enthusiast
Yes, agreed, there are one or two all veg fish food flakes that contain no animal products and may make a decent gutload. Still have to watch the vitamin A and D3 content.
SareeFreitas101
New Member
So they can eat rollie pollies
