Superworm myth?

[Lunamarx2300]

I have always thought it was bad to feed my leopard geckos superworms without cutting off their heads. Or else they run the risk of harming or killing my leopard geckos. However the more I look into it I keep hearing it is all a myth. I want to know the facts. Is it or is not dangerous to feed lizards supers with their heads still intact. I want to know your experience with it as well as the facts.

 

[VenusAndSaturn]

It could be possible with younger, undeveloped lizards, as they grow they become more developed and can handle certain things better than when they were younger. In the case of beardies its not wise to offer either mealworms or superworms, especially below 6 months. Now this is for a few reasons, one being that they are less developed when younger and cant handle certain things, two superworms have a very big fat content which can lead to fatty liver disease if offered too often or the refusal of healthier foods in favor of the treats.

 

[Drache613]

Moved by Moderator from General to Feeding

 

[AHBD]

Years ago the myth started that a superworm [ or even mealworm ] can survive in the stomach and eat their way out. That is 100% myth....that's where the idea of pinching off the head came from.

Still it's best not to feed those 2 insects as staples but they can be part of the diet. The other myth is that they have no nutritional value [ often repeated on the forum here ] when in fact they do. I've used both super + mealworms as PART of the diet of all my lizards for over 30 years [ beardies for over 20 ] , have never ever had one impaction . But as was mentioned they are slightly more fatty than other insects and should not be fed as the staple insect and not be fed to very small babies. They should not be fed in large amounts either. Here are a couple of nutritional value charts to show that they are a decent feeder insect and certainly contain good levels of protein. Like most feeder insects they should be dusted with a calcium powder.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwj9t9PIhpvYAhXDZCYKHQqnC9gQFghFMAM&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthereptilereport.com%2Fthe-most-complete-feeder-insect-nutrition-chart%2F&usg=AOvVaw1_9W4iAP2c_kRCOxPU_Pgw
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=11&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwj9t9PIhpvYAhXDZCYKHQqnC9gQFghkMAo&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthewormlady.ca%2Fexotic-pet-nutritional-info.php&usg=AOvVaw0_BNUiWdJD47ldE5oKWnAu

BTW, a leopard gecko should be fed more crickets or dubia than superworms or at least rotate the feedings. Even if he holds out be sure to give him more variety. BSFL [ Phonix or calciworms ] can also be used.

 

[Lunamarx2300]

Thank you! The supers are apart of their variety, but I didn’t know that they were fatty. I dust all of my feeder as well. Though I haven’t done Dubai roaches. I’m having a hard time finding a place that’ll sell them in mass quantity for a reasonable price. Perhaps y’all could give me a link to a good site to buy from? I’m looking for 100ct or more.

 

[VenusAndSaturn]

Dubia roaches are definitely one of the best feeders in my opinion, though its a bit hard to find them in the winter since the main site that most (or at least I) buy from stopped shipping on the 17th until it gets warmer. Which is https://dubiaroaches.com/, you can still order but they wont ship it until it gets warmer.
You could also go to expos and get some there, though sometimes expos dont have them but usually they do.
http://www.rainbowmealworms.net/roaches/ Rainbowmealworms also sells dubia roaches but most likely slightly more expensive than dubiaraoches.com.