Dubia Roach Size Guide: What Size Do You Need for Your Pet?

Do you have a pet lizard? To keep it happy and healthy, you’re going to need to make sure it gets a good supply of water and protein.

While crickets will suit your pet’s dietary needs, they’re not the best option. They don’t pack as much protein as Dubia roaches. 

Dubia roaches are found in South and Central America. Not only are they nutritious, but they’re easy to maintain. 

The only problem is finding the right Dubia roach size for your pet. If you get it wrong, your lizard won’t be able to chow down. Continue reading to learn what size you should pick. 

When In Doubt, Shoot Low

When you present your Dubia roaches with the right conditions, they will grow in size.

To account for this, it’s a good idea to shoot low. For example, if you have a large lizard, buy medium-sized roaches. This will give you some wiggle room for error. 

It’s also important to note that Dubia roaches tend to vary in size. Depending on their feeding patterns, you may get some that are larger than others. 

So, if you’re worried about grabbing the wrong size, buy Dubia roaches by pound. This increases your chances of at least some of them being the right size for your pet lizard, which means you’ll waste less. 

Starve Your Roaches

Again, roaches can grow in size, depending on their feeding patterns. They tend to elongate when they have their bellies full. 

That means if you starve your roaches, they’ll shrink. Withhold food and water for about a week. 

Don’t worry, your roaches won’t die. In fact, they can survive for several weeks without food and water. 

Maintaining Their Size 

When your roaches are at an ideal size, you’ll want to maintain it. The easy way to go about it is to feed them regularly and keep their habitat between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. 

This will allow them to get the nutrients they need to thrive without giving them the heat source they need to grow and reproduce. Granted, your roaches will still grow, just not as quickly. 

Look at a Ruler 

Most websites where you can buy Dubia roaches have a sizing chart that you can use as a reference. The problem is that even with this chart, it’s easy to overestimate how large a quarter of an inch is. 

Do yourself a favor and shop with a ruler next to you. Having a physical representation beside you will make your life much easier. 

The Only Dubia Roach Size Guide You’ll Ever Need 

Dubia roaches make a nutritious snack for pet lizards. They’re packed full of protein and other essential vitamins that keep reptiles happy and healthy. 

That is, as long as you chose the right Dubia roach size for your scaly friend. If you don’t have a ruler beside you or don’t account for your roaches growing, your lizards won’t be able to enjoy their meal. 

For more pet lizard care tips, visit the Life section of our blog.