does anyone know what this is?

[BobSaget]

I ordered some hornworms for my dragon and he seems to love them, but I'm curious about something: does anyone know what the gross brown liquid they secrete is? I thought it was blood at first until one shot it out of its face at me. It was pretty disgusting.

 

[Brezzy99]

It may have been regurgitated food. :shock:

 

[BobSaget]

Well, if that is the case is it normal for them to regurgitate like all day everyday? Cause I've been noticing this a lot. And the first time I noticed it sort of seemed like it was doing it on purpose. Like a defense mechanism or something?

 

[Brezzy99]

Yes, it's a defense mechanism. I am not sure about them doing it all day every day though. Maybe putting on a face mask and safety goggles will prevent it from getting on you. LOL

 

[BobSaget]

That was kind of a rude response. My concern is not getting it on me, but figuring out what it actually is, since my dragon is essentially eating it. And it sounds like you're just guessing and have no idea what you're talking about. I've been researching this and haven't been able to find anything about it.

 

[jarich]

Easy tiger, that was just a joke. Its kind of hard to tell the tone with the printed word sometimes, but it didnt look like that was meant to be a rude response at all. Brezzy was right, it is a defense mechanism. They usually only spew it out when disturbed, so its a little weird that you are seeing it all the time. Its not a problem for your dragon, though I have seen some dragons have skin reactions to it on rare occasions.

 

[BobSaget]

Since the first response was it could be regurgitated food and then it was yes, its a defense mechanism when I suggested it, its hard to really know if i should trust that this is someone who knows what they are talking about. And knowing or assuming something is a defense mechanism doesn't tell me what this stuff actually is. But it would make sense that something with such a defense mechanism would use it when someone is grabbing you or you are being eaten alive, so I don't imagine it would be so shocking that I've been seeing it a lot. What's weird to me is I've never seen anyone else mention it.

 

[Brezzy99]

The face mask and goggles was a joke, hence the LOL at the end. Without seeing the hornworms myself all anyone can do is tell you what it could possibly be. When hornworms feel threatened they excrete regurgitated food from their mouth. This information is easily located online. Before I got bearded dragons I researched the different types of live food acceptable. I also made sure there was a veterinarian that specializes in exotics in my area and spoke with him at length about bearded dragon care. I only reply to post that I can knowingly answer. Sorry if you felt my response was rude.

 

[BobSaget]

If this is posted every where online, why haven't I seen it anywhere? Could you kindly refer me to somewhere I might find this? And I've done an extensive amount of research myself, but with all due respect, you are a stranger on a message board. It would be ignorant of me to assume that you are some all knowing oracle of bearded dragon ownership.

 

[jarich]

I would agree with questioning advice that is common on the internet as most common internet advice is pretty lacking in quality. However, in this case, yes it is regurgitated material and you have been given the right information here. Usually looking up things by scientific name will yield more accurate results, in this case hornworms are Manduca sexta. If you would like to read more about it, here is a good article to start with.

http://jeb.biologists.org/content/204/3/457.long

 

[Brezzy99]

Thank you for posting a link jarich. Bob, this is a message board. Most of us come here to get advice, suggestions, and learn from others. We all have the same goal though and that is to ensure our beardies have the best life. Again, I am sorry that you felt I was rude. I would not have responded to your post if I didn't have an answer. I hope the link jarich posted gives you the confirmation you need. Have a great day!

 

[BobSaget]

Thanks, jarich for the article.