iHerp Australia Issue 4 | Page 36

the reptile it is being fed to. Crickets are undoubtedly a natural food item for many reptiles and amphibians, and the roughage they contain fulfils a very important role in the digestive process. The upshot of all of this is that there is no single perfect live-food item; they all have pros and cons and there is no doubt that a variety of different insects is by far the best dietary option. However, the literature is full of reports of captive reptiles that have been raised with crickets making up a large proportion of their diet, and that have lived long and healthy lives. We also occasionally hear concerns f