I don't know what to do.

Colby and the Dwarfs · 01-26-2014, 08:44 AM

So my gecko eats mealworms, and I forgot to feed her a batch and forgot about them. Now I have 26 beetles living in a small container with no food or water. I don't know what to do with them? I can't release them as it is snowing here and they'd surely die. I hate the thought of them starving to death but I don't know anything about them! What should I do? Mio can't eat them, I can't release them, and I'm not going to kill them. Help?

racinghamster · 01-26-2014, 09:15 AM

Hi Colby. I have no idea what mealworms `hatch` into so perhaps reptile forums might give the answer? Beetles you say? Hmmm can`t for the life of me think what beetles could be fed to or used for. Hopefully someone with more knowledge in this area can advise. x

**chinesehammy** · 01-26-2014, 09:22 AM

I'm genuinely not sure what you can do long term or what to actually do with them so my post will be about the here and now.

Water- Get 2 or 3 bottle tops and fill them with water.

Food- Vegetation? Maybe some leaves, grasses, flowers etc? Or even fruit and veg would be suitable.

Could you let them out in a forest where there isn't much snow? I'm in the UK and we haven't had snow this year (I don't think we had it last year either!)

racinghamster · 01-26-2014, 09:26 AM

Also be fully aware of the laws in your country about releasing any species into the wild. I`m sure these beetles are native, but check anyway if you plan to release them in better conditions.

Mealworms are typically used in fishing for bait? To maybe look along those lines as well?

celmoy · 01-26-2014, 09:48 AM

My boyfriend apparently once had this happen with whatever kind of larvae he fed to his snake when he was younger... apparently the beetles turned cannibal

and he ended up with one really big fat one that he was scared of

**DrKMcK** · 01-26-2014, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by celmoy

My boyfriend apparently once had this happen with whatever kind of larvae he fed to his snake when he was younger... apparently the beetles turned cannibal

and he ended up with one really big fat one that he was scared of

Oh my! Thanks for making me laugh Celmoy. Oh, the picture in my head

Tutu · 01-26-2014, 10:03 AM

Beetles turning cannibal is sad for me as they had to due to no food

I'd say give them manure ?

this is completely based on nature shows I've been watching.
Whatever you do bear in mind however small or ugly they look every live beings have purpose and place in this world.

celmoy · 01-26-2014, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tutu

Beetles turning cannibal is sad for me as they had to due to no food

I'd say give them manure ?

this is completely based on nature shows I've been watching.
Whatever you do bear in mind however small or ugly they look every live beings have purpose and place in this world.

I thought they laid their eggs in manure rather than actually ate it... I'd go with some veggies or fruit and see how it goes...

Looks like you may be having a herd of pet beetles, Colby and the Dwarfs!

although I do think that some insect species will just eat each other if they're in close proximity regardless of the amount of food available...

@DrKMcK, it made me laugh a bit too! A shame for the beetles but I can just imagine my boyfriend being scared of something only half an inch long just because it has legs...

Hamsters4eva x · 01-26-2014, 10:11 AM

Sorry i don't know anything about beetles... but maybe instead of giving them water in a lid you could give them a slice of cucumber, as this would prevent them drowning in the water.

Colby and the Dwarfs · 01-26-2014, 11:26 AM

Wow, I got a lot of responses! The reason I don't want to kill them is like what Tutu said. I kind of feel bad for them. So, because I'm absolutely crazy, I am now at work setting up a beetle tank. What should I put in it? Gravel? Dirt? Rocks? Twigs? Leaves?