Can anyone tell me which types of grasshoppers are safe to give? We have three types around our house - large darkish color, med green ones and tan medium to small. We live out in the country (Kansas) and do not spray pesticides around our house, but I'm not sure about the neighbors they are about 100 to 200 feet away. I thought it would be cool to let some loose and watch the boys try and catch them. But I want to make sure if they are safe, if so I will check with the neighbor and find out if they spray. Thanks

Any type of insect caught outdoors may carry bacteria which may harm our gliders so I would not feed the gliders the insects, pesticide or no pesticide. Why risk the glider's health? That is my opinion.


Jen

I would imagine grasshoppers could cover a lot of ground, so I wouldn't risk it. As an alternative, my boys LOVE zoomeds can'o'grasshoppers. Only problem is mine eat just the bodies--so I find grasshopper legs and faces all over the place-usually my floor.

I have been giving them the zoo meds also. I think I saw someone mention that they freeze theirs does anyone else do this? I've been concerned that they might spoil (I've seen them turn yellow so have thrown them out) once I saw some white mold...this was from them only being opened (the lid on of course) IN THE FRIG for only a week. So freezing them would be a great thing if it's ok to do.
I only give them one each once a week. Thanks

Grasshoppers are on the "probably shouldn't feed" list under Mikey's post about critters to avoid here . It has to do with the secretion they produce from their mouthparts being an irritant.

It's down towards the bottom of the post/sticky.

I think the mouth secretions are only from certain kinds, and I've heard the zoomeds ones are of an ok to feed variety. With that said, I still find it funny that mine don't eat the head..

I feed mine the can o grasshoppers too. The exoskeleton is very good for their colon. At least that is what my vet tells me. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nixweiss.gif" alt="" />

Grasshoppers are a great source of protein for the suggies, but we do not catch them outside, ever. We always feed them from the can or from a petshop.

Thank-you everyone on the advice!

Wow I Have always want some can o grasshoppers but cant never find none

You can order them online here http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_d...hoppers&N=2
Or here. http://www.sugar-gliders.com/can-o-grasshoppers.htm

You are probably right that the ones in the cans are okay.

That said, I must say that a "Can O Crickets" was one of the first things I bought when I got my first glider and I was so disgusted that I can't see myself buying any canned bugs other than freeze dried again. I didn't expect it to be so wet ! Ewe. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Hey Peeper, the SMELL is what got me, lolol. YUCK!

The first time I opened the can, I was like there is no way my gliders would want to eat these! They stunk so bad..
Now, I just open the can as far from my face as possible, plop them in a bowl, and get them to the boys as soon as possible. I've got one left, I'm so mad I got an odd number in that can, because that would just be cruel to give it to only one of them--they DO NOT and WILL NOT share their bugs.

Yes, mine love the can o' grasshoppers. I immediately freeze them after I open the can. I left them in the fridge in the beginning and that was a mistake. They stunk something awful.

It amazes me how that teeny stomach can hold that huge grasshopper (and mine eat every last bit, except for the licked-clean exoskeleton).

I tried freeze-dried worms (Flukers, I think), and my babies just snubbed their noses. It's those stinky juices packed in the can that make them extra tasty. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

I also tried the "freeze dried" and there is hardly anything to them. I thought getting those would be less smelly, true, but there isn't enough umphhhh in them to sattisfy my little ones pallett <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shakehead.gif" alt="" />

Mine love the can o cricket's but I find parts in the bowl as they don't like the legs and sometimes the head. My female will not eat mealies but she will sure eat a cricket!! I need to try the grasshoppers and see if they like them but the crickets do work and they also like the live one too but I have to end up pulling a leg off so they will stay in the bowl.