When it comes to feeding reptiles, most people turn to mealworms, crickets, or dubia roaches. But if you’ve never heard of Red Runner Roaches—also known as Blatta lateralis—you might be missing out on one of the most effective feeder insects available.
These small, fast-moving roaches are quickly becoming a favorite among experienced reptile, amphibian, and invertebrate keepers, and for good reason. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at what makes Red Runners such a valuable feeder option, how to care for them, and whether they’re right for your animals.
What Are Red Runner Roaches?
Red Runners are a species of non-climbing, ground-dwelling roach native to parts of Africa and Asia. Their name comes from their rusty-red coloration and quick-footed behavior. Adults max out at about 1 inch long and are known for their agility, making them a highly stimulating prey item for visually oriented predators.
Unlike dubias or discoid roaches, Red Runners reproduce by laying oothecae (egg cases), which hatch into dozens of nymphs over the course of several weeks. This makes them ideal for small-scale home breeding.
Why Keep Red Runners?
Red Runners have several qualities that set them apart from other feeder insects.
1. They Trigger Strong Feeding Responses
Because of their speed and movement, Red Runners are perfect for reptiles that hunt visually—especially geckos, smaller monitors, and young dragons. They activate natural predatory instincts that can sometimes be harder to spark with slower feeders.
2. Ideal for Tarantulas and Other Spiders
Red Runners’ quick, skittering motion makes them highly attractive prey for tarantulas, true spiders, and ambush invertebrates. Their smaller size and soft body also make them easy for spiders to subdue and consume without risk of injury.
3. They’re Easy to Digest
With their thin exoskeletons, these roaches are much easier to digest than many other feeders. That’s important for smaller reptiles, amphibians, or invertebrates that may struggle with chitin-heavy meals.
4. They Don’t Climb Glass or Plastic
Unlike Turkistan or German roaches, Red Runners can’t scale smooth surfaces, making them easy to contain in plastic tubs or glass enclosures with secure lids.
5. They Reproduce Quickly
Given proper temperatures and food, Red Runner colonies grow rapidly. A few dozen can turn into a full feeder supply in a couple of months.
Nutritional Value
Red Runner roaches are well-balanced in terms of nutrition, making them suitable as a staple feeder when part of a varied diet.
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Protein: ~20%
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Fat: ~7%
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Moisture: ~65–70%
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Calcium:Phosphorus Ratio: ~1:9
They should be dusted with calcium and vitamin supplements—especially for growing reptiles. While nutritious, relying solely on them without supplementation can lead to deficiencies like metabolic bone disease.
Drawbacks to Consider
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Fast Movers: Their speed is a blessing for your animals—but can be tricky to handle. They’re quick, and you’ll need to be careful during feedings to avoid escapees.
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Egg Case Cleanup: Because they lay oothecae rather than giving live birth, cleaning their enclosure requires care to avoid tossing out developing egg cases.
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Temperature Sensitive: Breeding slows dramatically below 80°F, so consistent warmth is key to maintaining a thriving colony.
How to Keep and Breed Red Runners
Keeping Red Runners is relatively straightforward:
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Enclosure: Plastic tote with smooth walls and a ventilated lid
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Hides: Egg cartons, cardboard rolls, or stacked paper provide surface area
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Food: Grain-based diets (like chick starter) plus fresh fruits and vegetables
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Hydration: Water crystals or moisture-rich produce—avoid open water dishes
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Heat: Ideal breeding temperature is between 85–95°F
Perfect For:
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Leopard Geckos
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Crested Geckos
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Small Monitor Lizards
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Tarantulas and Spiders
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Frogs and Toads
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Chickens (in moderation)
Final Thoughts
Red Runner Roaches are one of the most efficient and exciting feeder insects available. Their quick movement, soft bodies, and ease of care make them a top choice for both reptiles and invertebrates alike.
Whether you’re feeding a hungry gecko, a striking tarantula, or raising a feeder colony of your own, Red Runners are worth keeping on hand.
Want to start your own colony?
We offer clean, healthy starter cultures of Red Runner Roaches—ready to ship, breed, or feed. Visit our [store link] to learn more.
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You said:
change the part talking about them becoming a favorite, they've been a staple in the feeder industry for years
ChatGPT said:
Here's the revised blog post intro and updated section reflecting the fact that Red Runner Roaches have been a staple in the feeder industry for years, rather than a new trend:
Title: Red Runner Roaches – The Underrated Powerhouse Feeder for Reptiles and Inverts
When it comes to feeding reptiles and invertebrates, most people are familiar with staples like mealworms, crickets, and dubia roaches. But one insect that’s quietly held its place at the core of the feeder world for decades is the Red Runner Roach—also known by its scientific name, Blatta lateralis.
These fast-moving, soft-bodied roaches have long been relied on by breeders and keepers across the industry. Their quick movement, excellent nutritional profile, and ease of care make them a mainstay in the diets of many reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates.
In this post, we’ll take a closer look at what makes Red Runners such a dependable feeder option, how to care for them, and whether they’re the right fit for your animals.
What Are Red Runner Roaches?
Red Runners are a species of non-climbing, ground-dwelling roach native to parts of Africa and Asia. Their name comes from their rusty-red coloration and lightning-fast movement. Adults max out at about 1 inch in length and are known for their agility, making them highly effective at triggering feeding responses in visual predators.
Red Runners reproduce by laying oothecae (egg cases), which hatch into dozens of small nymphs. With the right setup, a small starter culture can grow into a thriving colony quickly, making them ideal for home breeders and large-scale keepers alike.
Why Keep Red Runners?
Red Runners have several qualities that set them apart from other feeder insects.
1. They Trigger Strong Feeding Responses
Their speed and natural prey-like movement make them especially effective at stimulating feeding in reptiles that rely on sight to hunt—such as leopard geckos, young monitors, and bearded dragons.
2. Perfect for Tarantulas and Other Spiders
Red Runners are an excellent match for tarantulas and true spiders. Their quick, erratic motion mimics wild prey, which helps encourage natural ambush and strike behavior. Their soft bodies are easy for spiders to pierce and digest.
3. They’re Easy to Digest
Their thin exoskeleton makes them more digestible than dubias or crickets, making them a great choice for smaller reptiles and amphibians with sensitive digestion.
4. They Don’t Climb Glass or Plastic
Red Runners are ground-dwellers and cannot climb smooth surfaces, which makes them easier to manage in escape-proof containers.
5. They Reproduce Quickly
Under optimal conditions, Red Runners reproduce fast—turning a small investment into a sustainable, ongoing feeder supply.
Check out our options for red runners and various other feeders!