Horn Worms Bad?????

[Thor's Mom]

Hey,

Been a long time since I have been here. Life gets so busy. Anyways, I was having a discussion with my local reptile store that are normally really good and informative. They told me that they stopped selling Horns because they are bad for the dragons. This is the first I have ever heard of this. Has anybody else heard this? It concerns me that they felt they are so bad that they stopped selling them. I can't find anything on the net to support their story and I have always thought they were one of the best feeders. Any feedback would be appreciated, as I have learned not to trust everything the pet store says, no matter how competient they seem.

 

[Rachella]

It has been to my understanding that hornworms are very good for bearded dragons. I've read stories of folks using them as staples, though I've always hesitated to do so because of the lack of chitin (which again to my understanding is a necessary part of their diet). However, I've never heard of anything -bad- coming from them. Perhaps the pet store received a bad batch which made their stock sick, either by bacteria or parasites?

Dude would skin me alive if I ever denied him a good hornworm.

 

[vickson420]

News to me as well :? Why did they say they were bad? Nutritionally speaking they are quite a good feeder so I am confused as to why they would think this.

 

[Thor's Mom]

They said that 2 local vets told them they were not a good feeder. I should have had the sense to ask why, but I was running erronds and in a hurry. I have never heard anything other than good about them, so I guess at this point I should just question the knowledge of the vets who said this. Was just wondering if anyone else had heard anything like that. Thanks for the input, my guys really love them as a treat once or twice a month.

 

[vickson420]

They said that 2 local vets told them they were not a good feeder. I should have had the sense to ask why, but I was running erronds and in a hurry. I have never heard anything other than good about them, so I guess at this point I should just question the knowledge of the vets who said this. Was just wondering if anyone else had heard anything like that. Thanks for the input, my guys really love them as a treat once or twice a month.

Well I could only think that maybe those vets were confused thinking that they were raised eating tomato or tobacco(depending on the type of horn)since that is what they would eat in the wild.If they were then they would indeed be a toxic insect to beardies but the chow they are fed normally have neither if done properly.They are a great source of hydration as well so I wouldnt worry too much.I can tell you mine will have nothing to do with tobacco horns they seriously dislike them but they love tomato horns.