Some basic cricket facts (commonly asked questions):
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Only adults have wings (true for all insects except Mayflies which molt one more time).
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Only adult males chirp. Females make no sound, other than scratching sounds when moving on paper.
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Females, starting at a young age, develop a “stem” which becomes the ovipositor to lay eggs.
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Eggs are laid below the surface, but can be kicked up when other crickets dig in the medium.
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An adult cricket has a maximum 8” vertically jump (i.e. 8" high -very important for keeping them contained).
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An adult cricket can jump 24” horizontally (away from you). They are quick to "reset' and jump again.
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Pinheads (the very young crickets) are excellent climbers and they have little else to do when not eating.
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Female crickets have a strong drive to lay eggs and will lay them under water if nowhere else is available.
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In order to grow and breed, these crickets need warmth. 68° f is not sufficient to breed and growth is stunted. Providing heat via the base is one reason for my success in raising crickets.
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I have never been bitten by a cricket.
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Some do escape but in 16 years I have never had a problem. None have ever bred on their own.
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From hatching to adult is between 3-5 weeks, depending heavily on ambient temperature.
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Except for laying eggs, crickets do not need a substrate to live in. Humans think adding stuff like vermiculite or peat moss to the bottom of the cage is good, but it complicates removing crickets and cleaning out the cage. A single sheet of newspaper is all that is needed on the bottom of the cage (see supplies).
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Crickets are curious and will investigate anything put into the cage, like something to lay eggs in.