Lobster roaches are the ""original"" feeder roach. Quick to breed (and even quicker to run away if you're not prepared!), lobster roaches are probably the easiest feeder insect to produce in quantity, but extra care needs to be taken to make sure they stay where they need to - secured in an enclosure!

Natural History

Lobster roaches are scientifically known as Naupheta cinerea. They hail from the Caribbean.

Lobster roaches can climb smooth surfaces, but they can't fly. They can glide, but cannot gain altitude while gliding.

Newly hatched roaches measure about 1/8"" long, while adults measure up to about 1 1/4"".

Containment and Housing

Make sure to keep lobster roaches well contained - a layer of liquid teflon or vaseline on the inside top of the enclosure can help prevent escapes, as will a securely fitting lid. I'm a fan of modifying a Sterilite Gasket Box (80qt) with screened ventilation holes at the top, so they're really sealed in there!

Keep them at 80-90F for best production, even though they will breed at room temperature. Mist a few times a week - aim for about 50% humidity.

Lobster roaches are best kept without a substrate. Instead, provide as many vertically oriented cardboard egg flats as you can to provide surface area. More surface area = more room for roach romance = more roaches, so really pack it in there!

I'd leave the front 1/4 of the enclosure bare, so you can have an easy space to feed, water, and harvest from. Put a few cardboard tubes in the front part of the enclosure to make catching and removing roaches easier.

Food

Lobster roaches will eat pretty much everything, but everything won't provide them with a healthy, well balanced diet. A good diet will be full of nutrients so that they can be passed on to the animals eating them. Josh's Frogs Roach Rations makes a great basic dry diet. Couple that with our Calci-mMm water gel and fresh fruits and veggies for a nutritious meal.

Dry food is best applied directly to the bottom of the enclosure. Any wet foods are best placed on a small piece of egg flat for feeding. This will make eventually removing any soggy remains easy.

Feeding to your Pets

Lobster roaches are quick, making harvesting them a challenge. I'd recommend leaving some paper towel or toilet paper tubes in the enclosure to make this a bit easier. The roaches will hang out inside, allowing you to quickly pick up the tube and shake it's inhabitants into a feeding cup. The roaches will promptly try to climb right back out of the cup, however.

Counter their escape attempts by putting a lid on really quickly, or using a funnel that fits tightly on the top of the feeding cup. I like to be ready by putting a pinch of a quality vitamin/mineral supplement in the bottom of the cup. Not only will this coat the roaches before feeding, but it'll make them a bit more clumsy.

In The Enclosure

Remember, these roaches are escape artists! Make sure your herp's enclosure is secure, and consider using a large escape proof feeding bowl to help keep your roaches where they belong. Tong feeding is a great idea, too.