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Hungry Herps
Pet Age Staff //August 1, 2019//
Listen to this articleWhen it comes to a diet for pet reptiles, the two most obvious options are live and frozen foods. Live food can be something as simple as crickets and mealworms to feeder fish, mice or rats. Frozen food includes any food that must be kept below 32º F.
Stocking live or frozen food is more challenging than packaged pellet-style food, but there are many benefits to reptiles. For one, it more closely represents what they’d find in the wild. Additionally, it encourages their instincts to hunt for their food, providing them with healthy, predator-inspired exercise.
But these food options for herps are also beneficial for retailers’ bottom line despite the challenges they might present. First, it increases store traffic.
“A customer that purchases live food likely can’t “stock up” on this type of food, which means that they’ll likely return to your store to buy additional food, in addition to any other subsidiary purchases made during the visit,” said John Mack, founder and CEO of Reptiles by Mack.
Having live food also increases sales at your store.
“Live food typically lands among the top five SKUs at full-line pet retailers,” said Andy Petitt, sales manager at Timberline Live Pet Foods. “Live food tends to be one of the highest margin items at a retailer.”
Ultimately, having live and frozen food products in your store is beneficial and encouraged. Products like these will provide reptiles with the delicious nutrition they need and help keep your customers returning. But it is extremely important to make sure you are not only prepared on everything to know about these products, but also on ensuring these products receive proper care and that customers are educated on the correct methods for providing these food options to their beloved herp.
Timberline Hornworms
Timberline’s hornworms are a great choice when looking for an additional feeder option. The hornworm cup is a fully functional enclosure that includes the food necessary to bring the hornworms to adult size. Timberline hornworms are available in 4-, 12- and 24-count cups.
Ghann’s Dubia Roaches
Dubia roaches (Blaptica dubia) are native to Central and South America, and have gained popularity as an alternative feeder insect. Supplementing your animal’s normal diet with occasional dubias is a great way to provide needed nutrients while giving them a good variety in their diet.
Fluker’s Crickets
Fluker’s Cricket Farm Crickets are our best seller and are an excellent choice to offer as prey for your reptile. Crickets are available in sizes ranging from a week old (3/16 of an inch) to 6 weeks old (one inch) and in box counts starting at 100. We also offer a 250-count 4-week-old crickets and 250-count medium mealworms mixed box.
The Bug Company Mealworms
Since 1947 The Bug Company has refined its ability to produce and distribute only the healthiest live insects including, mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) that are raised in complete organic fashion. Grow to be about one inch long. They keep for weeks at 38-45° Fahrenheit.
Mack’s Natural Reptile Food
Reptile owners frequent pet stores more than any other pet customer to purchase food for their pet reptiles that is usually only sold in a pet store. Capture this lucrative market with Mack’s Natural Reptile Food and get a free freezer with your first order.
www.macksnaturalreptilefood.com
