Best Feeder Insects for Reptiles
This article contains a information of the most common feeder insects currently available in the reptile, amphibian and arachnid industry.
FEEDER CRICKETS
Nutritional value: 70% moister 20% protein 6% fat 3% and 1% ash
Pros: Crickets are generally quite inexpensive to buy and readily available at most pet stores making them a long time favorite of pet owners. Crickets often come in a variety of sizes making them an easy to find the appropriate size for your pet.
Cons: Crickets are composed mainly of ash so they are lower in nutritional value than , silkworms, superworms or dubia roaches. Chirping NOISE is also a real problem for the unlucky pet owner who has and escapee cricket loose in the terrarium for days or even weeks!
MEALWORMS
Nutritional value: 64% moisture,19%protein,14% fat, 3% carbohydrate and 1% ash
Pros: Another very popular and easy to find feeder insect. Mealworms come in a variety of sizes and can be found at most pet stores and bait shops. Mealworms are easily kept for moths in a refrigerator for several months.
Cons: Unless you’re an avid fisherman the idea of keeping worms next to your food in the fridge could be a little unexciting for you. With out refrigeration and in a warm climate 75F-95F they will grow and metamorphous into beetles within a few weeks.
SUPERWORMS
Nutritional value: 59% moisture, 19% protein, 15% fat, 6% carbohydrate and 1% ash
Pros: Super worms are the larger cousin of the mealworm and some times called “king worms” For many years there was a rumor going around the reptile industry that an improperly digested super worm could shew threw a reptiles stomach. Do NOT worry this is just a myth and has never been proven. Superworms are more bulk than mealworms so are a better option for feeding larger reptiles.
Cons: Superworms CANNOT be refrigerated to slow down the metamorphous process. Supersworms are also a lot harder to breed since each worm pupa has to be separated from the others to complete the transformation process into a beetle.
WAX WORMS
Nutritional value: 59% moisture, 14% protein, 24% fat, 2.5% carbohydrate, .5% ash
Pros:Thin skinned, soft bodied and high in protein and calcium. Many breeders use Wax Worms during the breeding season to 'fatten up' their reptile.
Cons:Wax Worms cannot tolerate high temperatures and are best maintained between 55 and 65 degrees.
SILKWORMS
Nutritional value: 76% moisture, 10% protein, 10%fat.
Pros: Silkworms are naturally one of the healthiest insect you can get to feed your pet. Silkworms have a low-fat content and are a high source of Calcium and Protein
Cons: Silkworms are extremely sensitive to bacteria which makes keeping and shipping them difficult. Also silkworms ONLY eat mulberry leaves or a mulberry chow that comes from the mulberry leaf.
DUBIA ROACHES
Nutritional value: 66% moisture, 22% protein, 7%fat, 3% carbohydrate 2% ash
Pros: They are not good climbers. A slick plastic or glass tub with proper climbing surfaces will house your dubia feeders just fine. They also do not smell as do Crickets and are a very clean if properly cared for.
One Adult dubia roach is equal in weight to seven large crickets which makes them a great option for feeding larger reptiles.
Cons: Not available readily in pet sores. As of 2018 Illegal in the state of Florida