They're Here

Well the bugs have finally arrived and we are pleased to initiate Ricky and Sticky to the family. Ricky is the bigger of the two and is very excited about the new change in his life. Sticky tends to be a little more hesitant and is a little unsure about the transition from pet store to the college scene. The first few minutes with these little guys proved to be very interesting. As soon as we were out of the store, and had been given the sales pitch, "oh, they are really very docile, calm and make great pets," they started to attack each other... right out there in the parking lot. It was a little bit of a surprise for poor Laurie who was holding them, as the small container they were being held in began rumbling and the cockroaches began hissing at each other. Their fight was the first of many fights on the long journey back from American Fork but that night as they were placed in a larger container, they both took their separate corners and stayed away from each other for the rest of the day.
The first night, they were given a couple apple pieces to eat and a small amount of dog food (recommended on the majority of websites about cockroaches...interesting). They didn't seem to enjoy the dog food or the apples very much but I attribute it to being in new surroundings.
We also read on some websites that they enjoy places to hide and so we added a piece of an egg carton and a toilet paper roll. Ricky tends to hang out on the egg carton (as featured in the picture) and Sticky has found his place in the toilet paper roll. Although we have read that the cockroaches are usually more active in the nighttime, the first couple of days the cockroaches were very active. They have settled down a little since then and Ricky tends to be a lot calmer than Sticky. He also tends to hiss less when touched. They often are found together and I think have gotten used to the new living situation with two males. As stated, Sticky seems to be in charge and Ricky just "hangs out" a lot.
We have tried to feed them apples, bananas, carrots, and pieces of orange, although they tend to not eat very much-- especially when being observed. Although the amount of feces in the cage suggests that they do eat.
Each of these bugs seems to be very friendly and after the initial day of fighting have seemed to be very "calm and docile" as explained at the pet store.

A Brief Travel Home

Excitement abounds in the small container Ricky and Sticky were placed in for their travel from the pet store to their new home. They would frequently fight and move around. The two boys that I tutor (1st grade and 5th grade) would poke them and urge them to hiss.