Hornworm Troubles

[RexTheEpicBeardie10]

Ok, so last week (Tuesday) I got a cup of hornworms now this week they have grown super big. Today I tried feeding my bearded dragon and he wouldn't eat it! I don't know if they're too big? I wouldn't think so because my bearded dragon is 16+ inches (haven't measured in a while but last time he was about 16 inches) anyways, I don't know what to do since he won't eat them I really hope there is something I can do so he'll eat the hornworms I bought. Also, He has never had a hornworm before and eats mostly superworms and greens. But I wanted to try a variety and give him some hornworms, but he won't eat them. I don't get it because I thought bearded dragons loveeeee hornworms. I really hope I can somehow find a way to get him to eat them. Its not that he wont eat, because I put a superworm in and he ate it right up. I don't know what the problem is. He is shedding but he will eat superworms and veggies just not the hornworms I bought. They also were pretty expensive. I hope I can find a solution I will see if he will eat one tommorow but probably wont

 

[zandi202]

How big are the hornworms?At 16" my baby boy Jace and at 14" my little girl Zy both ate 3" hornworms.

 

[Doublet74]

Your dragon might just not like them. My dragon wont eat Phoenix worms.

 

[AHBD]

He should eat them when he gets hungry. Either hand feed it or just leave it near him in the tank...pick it up + drop it near him. A 16" dragon can eat a full size one, but may only eat one per day, maybe 2 because they're so filling. To keep them longer, I've read that you can put them in newspaper and store in the fridge for a week or two. Otherwise they may soon begin to morph.

 

[Bailey91990]

Your Dragon might just be picky. But I'm going through the EXACT problem at the moment as you. I bought cup of Hornworms on Sunday for the first time, they all were under 2inches & skinny. My beardys LOVED THEM! & now today, there over 3inches & fat! My Beardys are small, there 10inches at the moment. & even though it takes them a minute to get it down, they are able to. Be careful tho. The Hornworms do bite and there legs grasp on to anything it can so it might scare your dragon, it did to mine.
So try to feed the Hornworm head first this way it will kill them on the first bite hopefully.
Also, if you keep them in a cool place thats at 55-60degress it can slow there growth alittle bit. Like a garage or cool room. You don't want to put them in the Fridge because it can kill them, they can't handle the cold that well.
Another thing you can try is cutting them in half, & wiggle them in front of your dragon. They are very messy & might drip all over the place, but you can just clean the mess.
GOOD LUCK!

 

[AHBD]

Keeping them cool can slow down their growth, so I agree with Bailey to try + find a cool place. Putting them in the fridge is for when they are at their maximum size and will either die or begin to morph. Putting them in a fridge can keep them alive longer, as long as it's not below 40 ] they just slow way down, and it was recommended by Lindasgonebuggy as well as Great Lakes hornworm.

 

[RexTheEpicBeardie10]

Ugh. I just don't know what to do. I forgot to give him his veggies this morning, and fed him a hornworm when I got home still nothing even without any food yet.... I'm really mad right now and I just wish he would gobble them up... I don't know what to do anymore

 

[Bailey91990]

Yea I bought a cup of them on Sunday & they were 1inch. Now Saturday there full grown adults! & there to big for my dragons, so I dont know what Im going to do with them. We just got our 3 cups of 25baby hornworms and there soo small. But Im sure by two weeks there be huge. You really need get them & feed them off ASAP

 

[Deviant]

my girl is about 5 or 6 inch and she will eat ones that are 3 inches and our little man is bigger and well he well eat it fast

 

[USCgrad]

i wish you luck, i ordered the yellow and green and i hope my girl takes to them..i can see the biting being a little freaky, what have you been feeding your dragon? Mine doesnt like grub like worms for some reason but does love silk worms, do you think the color plays any part in the not eating or just the size?

 

[Bailey91990]

Usually the color of the Hornworms HELPS with the Dragons. They like light colors & things that move, so Hornworms are the perfect fit. But you can't exspect every single Bearded Dragon in the world to like the same thing. We all don't like the same things so why should they?? But it is angervating when you spend money & they don't eat it. I just got my package I ordered the other day of 3cups of 25+ baby hornworms. 1 of the cups, alotttttt of them died which I wasn't happy about, but its part of this hobby, like my quote says, trial & error till you figure whats best. I suggest for now on with anyone who has small or baby dragons & wants hornworms to order baby ones. & in about a week or so there be perfect size for them start eating. & as they get bigger you can see what size they like.