Marrader21 Posted March 15, 2017 Share Posted March 15, 2017 So I recently found out that cockroaches have neurotoxins that are released when eaten and it has caused people to die from asphyxiation. I am curious as to why reptiles and other invertebrates can eat them with no ill effects? Do they not eat enough in one sitting, or do the toxins not effect them? Any insight into this would be greatly appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevinswither Posted March 15, 2017 Share Posted March 15, 2017 Hmm I can tell your kind of referring to the guy that died in a roach eating contest to get a ball python (6,000 dollar). Roaches are allergenic, and that sometimes people get allergic to them in large amounts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cariblatta lutea Posted March 16, 2017 Share Posted March 16, 2017 Where did you hear this? The only death of a person from roach I know of was due to peanut butter allergy (roach had eaten peanut butter prior to being eaten). 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pannaking22 Posted March 16, 2017 Share Posted March 16, 2017 Only way there'd be a neurotoxin issue is if the roach was eating neurotoxins first, and even then you'd probably have to eat a ton of them before dying. If it's that guy trying to get the ball python, he could have been allergic or he could have gotten one lodged in his throat and choked to death. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovebugfarm Posted March 16, 2017 Share Posted March 16, 2017 I remember that story I thought he had a shellfish allergy and didn't know he was also allergic to roaches being they are all arthropods. Some roaches do have defensive mechanisms that produce nauxious chemicals but it's rare in the roach world and it's known those spieces don't works as feeders even for reptiles. Pretty sure gold metal roaches are one of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marrader21 Posted March 16, 2017 Author Share Posted March 16, 2017 Roger that... so it's not a toxin issue then but an allergen thing; that makes sense. I didnt find any specific incidents but came across a hand full of people who were talking about it... just wanted to clear the air; this was more for my wife's peace of mind. When she heard that people have died from eating roaches she became concerned for our Leo's and blue toung. When I looked into it the words "neurotoxin" and "asphyxiation" were all over the place. Good to know that its not an issue but there are species of cockroach with those defenses. Thank you guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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