Can i use hornworms as a staple for my dragons diet?

[Brittraff]

Also if i did how many would my 7" dragon eat a day? I don't like using crickets anymore, but i would be okay with a hornworm with some supplemental crickets diet. (Im also feeding dandelion greens by hand and some strawberries on occasion)

The problem is my dragon wil only eat like 2-3 crickets a each feeding (usually 3 a day) and i know hes supposed to be eating alot more than that. He won't chase, he only goes after them when they are in front of his face. Hiss lighitng and temps are fine according to the information on this forum.

I bought 6 wax worms and i fed him 2 today and he gobbled them up, and chose them over crickets. Any input would be appreciated.

 

[AmberC]

Horn worms as a staple would be fairly expensive but it could absolutely be used as a staple, silk worms are really good too! You should be feeding him as much as he wants to eat in a 15 minute period twice a day at that age with veggies always being left in the tank. They often aren't interested in veggies until they are a bit older but I recommend always leaving them in the tank

 

[Brittraff]

Horn worms as a staple would be fairly expensive but it could absolutely be used as a staple, silk worms are really good too!

say i fed him hormworms one feeding and crickets the next with veggies left in the tank do you think that would be an okay diet?

 

[AmberC]

I'm no expert but I think that would be fine. Don't forget to dust his feedings!

 

[Mariah94]

Actually, hornworms cannot be used as the "only" staple, they do not have everything a guy needs. He would need another feeder along with it. I would try Silkworms, they are a great staple and are similar to horns. Waxworms are like a candy bar and I would only feed them sparingly. And silks do not have to be dusted.

 

[AmberC]

She's right. I looked at beautiful dragons nutrition page and it doesn't say to feed everyday. Sorry about that!

 

[Brittraff]

My petstore doesn't have any silkworms, and i can't figure out how to order them from Canada

 

[Mariah94]

My petstore doesn't have any silkworms, and i can't figure out how to order them from Canada

I cannot help you with where to order since I'm from the states, but I'm sure there has to be a place somewhere that allows you to order them. They can eat as many hornworms as they want, as long as they are getting a staple along with it. Horns are great because they are full of water and hyrate beardies really well, so expect some runny poos when you feed them.

 

[jsename]

My petstore doesn't have any silkworms, and i can't figure out how to order them from Canada

Where in Canada are you? Big Al's in Toronto has them, and you can order them online from http://www.supercricket.ca/live_crickets.html (SK), http://www.recorpinc.com/index.php (ON), http://www.silkworms.ca,

 

[daner923]

How long have you had him? The small amount of food eaten is concerning if he isn't going through relocation stress. He may have parasites and need a fecal done. Also, what kind of UVB do you have and what are your temps? I know this isn't your question exactly, but it could help us figure out why he only eats 3 crickets a day. Are they smaller than the space between his eyes?