A couple of questions about hornworms

[mafu7]

Hello. My beardie is 6" long right now. I have a couple of quetions for those of you who have experience with hornworms.
First of all, since they are soft-bodied, does the head width rule still apply?
Second, how many would I have to feed my beardie a day?
Thanks, mafu7

 

[Grixxly15]

The space inbetween the eye rule does not apply with horn worms. However you still have to have common sense. A 4" hornworm is way to big for a 6" beardie. If you are not growing horn worms to their full potential you are wasting money IMO. I think great lake horn worms sell 25 hornworms to a pod so they only grow to about 1.5" that would be about perfect for your bearded dragon.

 

[mafu7]

OK but could I feed them as a staple? And if so, how many would I need to feed him? Right now he eats plus or minus about 2 dozen crix a day.

 

[invictusrules]

Can't help you with the # per day, but you'd have to figure out a way to slow the hornworms' growth down once they hit the size you'd need. When they hit that one and a half inch mark, they grow like crazy. Some people have had success refrigerating the worms to slow their development, but I think it's the really big ones (full size) they've chilled. Ref:

http://www.greatlakeshornworm.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=46&Itemid=29

I don't know how the smaller sizes would do in a refrigerator, but a wine chiller might cool them down enough to slow their development without killing them. They really are a great feeder - all nutrition plus moisture!

 

[Grixxly15]

YEs, you can feed them as a staple. It just may burn a hole in your wallet though. You will have to find the # of worms to feed by yourself as stated by invictusrules.

 

[amylee159]

They are a great staple, but I agree, they will burn a hole in your wallet! My beardies can't get enough of them!