Mealworms and Supers ???

[gulfbrzdawn]

I just learned the other day that the so called "Superworm" I hear everyone mentioning is really just a large Mealworm. I actually had never looked into them before so was a bit amazed to find this out.

My question being what is the difference between a Mealworm and a "Super", besides the size of course? :?

Does anyone feed them (Supers) as a staple feeder?

Thanks,

Dawn

 

[patrickb]

Superworms and mealworms are actually totally different. Two seperate species entirely. I think what you are calling a "super" worm is a mealworm that has been hormone treated to keep it from pupating. This causes it to keep growing much larger than normal and they will not breed. Mealworms and hormone treated mealworms aren't a good item to feed. Very high levels of chitin:meat (the outershell) and mostly fat. They can cause impaction which is not a good thing.

Actual superworms (Zophobas morio) are a good staple once your dragon is around 16" in total length. They have a smaller chitin:meat ratio and contain quite a bit more nutrition, plus they are large enough that it doesn't take 100 of them to fill up a beardie. Again, they can cause impaction when the beardies are smaller due to their digestive tract containing a "kink" in it where blockage can occur. Some people say 14" is safe to start feeding them, but I am paranoid and would recommend you wait until 16" in length.

 

[gulfbrzdawn]

Hi patrickb...thanks for the response.

Which one of those two worms is the one people say you have to smoosh or cut off the head before feeding( I know it's not true) ?

 

[patrickb]

I have actually heard that story for both species of worms. Mealworms are used in smaller reptiles a lot (whereas the superworms would be too large for them) and you hear the same thing. Just depends on which forum you visit.

Either way, don't worry about doing that. The won't eat their way out of the stomach of the animal.