Written by Madeline Smith, Reptile Care Writer at Zen Habitats
Published: April 17, 2026 · Last Reviewed: May 5, 2026
The Feeder Insect You Might Be Sleeping On!
Dubia roaches have quickly become one of the most popular feeder insects in the hobby!
Whether you keep a bearded dragon, blue-tongued skink, leopard gecko, chameleon, or pretty much any insectivorous reptile, Dubia roaches are a wonderful addition to their menu!
If you're willing to keep a colony and breed them yourself, you can have a steady stream of low cost feeders!
Why Dubia Roaches Are One of the Best Feeders You Can Offer
Not all feeder insects are created equal. Here's the nutrient breakdown for dubia roaches:
1. Outstanding Nutritional Profile
Dubia roaches have a protein-to-fat ratio that's hard to beat. Compared to crickets, they're higher in protein, lower in fat, and have a much better calcium-to-phosphorus ratio, which matters a lot for reptiles prone to metabolic bone disease.
- Protein: ~23% (dry weight)
- Fat: ~7% (much lower than mealworms or superworms)
- Moisture: ~65%
A well-gut-loaded dubia roach is one of the most nutritious, complete feeder insects you can offer.
2. They're Quiet!
If you've ever kept a cricket colony, you already know the pain of cricket chirping at 2 AM, escapees in your walls, and Googling "how long can a cricket live?" Dubia roaches don't make noise. They also can't climb smooth surfaces or jump, which makes them much easier to contain and more pleasant to keep.
3. Long Lifespan Means Less Waste
Crickets die quickly and smell horribly when they die. Dubia roaches are hardy and live much longer (females can live 1.5–2 years!), which means far less die-off and less smell. You're not throwing money in the trash every week, .
4. Easy to Gut-Load
Gut-loading is the process of feeding your feeder insects nutritious food before offering them to your reptile, and it is one of the most impactful things you can do for your reptile's health. Dubia roaches are easy to gut-load because they readily eat a wide variety of vegetables, gel and dry gut-load formulas. Whatever nutrition you put into them goes straight to your reptile.
5. Reptiles Tend to Love Them!
Reptiles that enjoy insects tend to take to dubia roaches very easily! They are great since they don't burrow in the substrate or try to hop out of enclosures like some other feeder bugs do.
Are Dubia Roaches Right for Every Reptile?
Dubia roaches work for most insectivorous and omnivorous species, including:
- Bearded dragons
- Blue-tongued skinks
- Leopard geckos
- Crested geckos
- Chameleons
- Monitors and tegus
- Many species of frogs
One thing worth knowing: dubia roaches are illegal to keep in Florida due to concerns about their potential as an invasive species. If you live in Florida, check your local regulations and explore "Discoid Roaches" as an alternative.
Want to learn how to breed Dubia Roaches for yourself?
Check our our article all about Starting and Maintaining a Dubia Roach Colony!
