The photo of these crickets was taken in their home at CLHS. These crickets won't live long because they will be used as food. Most crickets at CLHS can live up to four weeks before they die or are eaten. (CLHS Photo)

Kingdom: Animalia

Common Name:
Feeder Cricket

Scientific Name: Acheta domestica

Taxonomy:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Orthoptera
Family: Gryllidae
Genus: Acheta
Species: domestica

Natural Range
This cricket is bred as food for pets such as lizards, toads, and turtles. The cricket is bred all over the country as a source of income or hobbies by people. The CLHS cricket ranch is kept in large plastic tubs between the turtle and alligator lizards.

Interesting Facts
In China the cricket is said to be good luck and sold in many street markets. The cricket is also a good source of protein for humans. When eating the cricket, you have to take the head and legs off so it doesn't crawl out.

The Cricket and CLHS

The crickets at CLHS provide a stable supply of food for all of the small animals in the science lab. There could be up to 300 crickets inside one tub.