Cicadas as reptile food

[findi]

Now is the time to collect cicadas for use as reptile food; does anyone else do this. Please see article and let me know what you think, thx http://bitly.com/NDinaO

 

[bugmankeith]

I would say any animals outside carry risk of parasites or diseases so although for wild animals they are a banquet they probably should not be fed to domestic animals.

 

[findi]

Hi, Thanks for your input. Most are fairly specific re hosts; I've long used w/c inverts at the Bx Zoo; all animals that die in the collection are necropsied, and vets have not noted any issues. Please see here for additional info and some useful precautions:

http://bitly.com/L4OmhS

Enjoy, best, Frank

 

[wayne the pain]

We dont have them in the UK, but i would if i could.

 

[findi]

Maybe use some of those pesky gray squirrels of ours, that seem to be driving out the native red! This article, and those linked under "Further Reading" discusses insect collecting in general. I hope useful, please let me know http://bitly.com/KwSFxz,

Best, Frank

 

[Akai]

I've seen youtube videos of Tarantula's vs Cicadas. Just search for it. It's a pretty "loud" struggle from the cicada until the T's venom takes hold. I honestly don't see how the T's tolerated the noise to be quite honest with you. lol

 

[findi]

Interesting..esp as tarantulas are so sensitive to vibrations; cicadas are masters at that! I recall hearing them buzz within American Bullfrogs for a few seconds. Most adults who happen upon an injured one release them instantly once the buzzing starts - but not my little sidekick (see photo) - we rescued this guy from an orb weavers web, but he hit the water upon release and was grabbed by a bass! I'll check youtube, thx, Frank

 

[Galapoheros]

I can see how they might be full of protein and nutrients, taking long to mature, strong muscle for flight. I've fed them to things when I've found them at the right time. Just looking around, there are some big ones out there to butcher and save in the freezer. http://robhigginsblog.blogspot.com/2010/08/borneo-12-danum.html

 

[findi]

Yes, most larger herps relish them. I've seen a very large species in Texas (no surprise in your state!), but did not collect or ID... Best, Frank

 

[Galapoheros]

I know the ones you are talking about, they have a more brown color instead of the common green sps, never looked up sps name. Those bigger ones make a constant noise; weeeeeuuuuuuuweeeeeeuuuuuuweeeeeeuuuuuuuu, the green ones get quiet and repeat. I'd point to them on a branch to people when I was a kid, "It's up there, see it?, right there on that branch!" "I don't see it, where is it?" "There, right there, theeeerrrre!!!" I was a kid at pool and saw one molting high in a tree and got the lifeguard to knock it down for me with one of those nets with a long pole, I was around 7, maybe 8.

 

[findi]

That's the one! I'll look into it ; you childhood sounds like mine - in NYC,but I found ways. At 10 tried scaling the walls of the Am Museum of Natural History with a grappling hook to catch bats hibernating in a crack near 4th floor, and so on...! Thanks, Best, Frank

---------- Post added 09-25-2012 at 09:42 PM ----------

I know the ones you are talking about, they have a more brown color instead of the common green sps, never looked up sps name. Those bigger ones make a constant noise; weeeeeuuuuuuuweeeeeeuuuuuuweeeeeeuuuuuuuu, the green ones get quiet and repeat. I'd point to them on a branch to people when I was a kid, "It's up there, see it?, right there on that branch!" "I don't see it, where is it?" "There, right there, theeeerrrre!!!" I was a kid at pool and saw one molting high in a tree and got the lifeguard to knock it down for me with one of those nets with a long pole, I was around 7, maybe 8.

Hi,

Here is a list of Texas' cicadas more than I imagined. When you have a chance try photo and recording of Quesada gigas. I didn't look at many others - you'll recognize more quickly than I. Have fun and pl keep me posted, Frank http://texasento.net/Cicada_TX.htm

 

[Galapoheros]

Yes you're a fellow bug/herp person from birth, I think I know where you're coming from. I've always been fascinated by herps, arthropods and ocean inverts though I've never had a salt water aquarium.

 

[findi]

I was lucky, Grandfather kept all sorts of creatures, and we lived in same house. He made his own salt water in the mid 60's, and took me to the Fulton Fish market (food market)to buy live a octopus (only 1 store in NYC carrying a few marine animals at the time) and various other odd animals. Just took off from there!

 

[Galapoheros]

Wow I didn't know there were so many Tx sps. I have some tiny ones in my yard also. Going by the song, the bigger one I've seen here north of Austin is probably Tibicen pruinosus.

 

[findi]

I was very surprised also. I've looked through field guides to western US insects in past, but didn't realize how many were left out. I've never seen any of the smaller species, the 3 here in NY are average, would like to; need to get back to Texas. Thanks for the ID, I'll check that species, best, Frank