Superworms and hornworms(Goliath worms)!!

[Smeagol358]

Hi, I have a 4 month old bearded dragon that is 9 inches. I was wonder how old/big he should be able to eat a superworms and hornworms(goliath worms)??

 

[luvanimals]

It's 16in for superworms. I don't know about hornworms. I would assume it's whenever they aren't wider than the beardie's mouth/space between eyes.

 

[diamc]

Your beardie could actually eat small hornworms. The size rule doesn't really apply for soft worms. Horns grow very fast though so you might want to consider butterworms, silkworms or phoenix worms instead.

 

[Trogdorpheus]

I'm not 100% sure, but I believe you can refrigerate hornworms once they get to the appropriate size and they sorta just shut down and stop growing. I doubt it works really long term though.

 

[Smeagol358]

Ok, thanks. I think I'm just going to give him mealworms and I might try the hornworms. I'm going to wait until hes about 16" because of that kink in his intestine.

 

[diamc]

I'm not 100% sure, but I believe you can refrigerate hornworms once they get to the appropriate size and they sorta just shut down and stop growing. I doubt it works really long term though.

Mulberry farm doesn't recommend refrigerating them because they state the the temp is too cold for them so will kill them. They suggest keeping them cooler by using an ice pack instead to slow them down.

Ok, thanks. I think I'm just going to give him mealworms and I might try the hornworms. I'm going to wait until hes about 16" because of that kink in his intestine.

Mealworms are an impaction risk for a 4 mo old, you might wan to reconsider feeding those. The only feeder that you have to wait before feeding is super worms, so the 16" rule applies for large superworms. The kink in young beardies' intestines doesn't affect the feeding of soft worms unless they are REAL large.

 

[AndyT]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but are hornworms considered a staple? Or are they just treats? How often do people give them to beardies?

ANdy

 

[diamc]

Hornworms can certainly be a staple food although it's always a good idea to offer 2 feeder choices so they don't lose interest. When I have horns left, I feed them daily. How many to feed depends on the size of the beardie and the size of the worm. Since they contain lots of moisture, they are great in helping your beardie stay well hydrated too.

Here's some info about hornworms that I found.

The nutritional analysis thats on my website was performed by a lab that does the same analysis for food products. They are extremely accurate with there testing measures. The results were as follows for worms fed on the tan food.

Protein: 9%
fat: 3.07%
Calcium: 46.4mg/100g
Moisture: 85%

If you have anymore questions feel free to ask.

Rob
Great Lakes Hornworm

 

[AndyT]

Thanks for the info! I'm really looking forward to being able to feed my guy all these different bugs and worms!(In like 8 months lol)

 

[diamc]

Actually Andy, you wouldn't have to wait that long. Silkies, butters, phoenix worms would all be good for now. Only the hornworms grow real fast. So, something to think about.

 

[Smeagol358]

Do you guys know any place that is good to order them from???

 

[AndyT]

I would love to try to feed him some of those, but you have to order them online. My mother would have a fit if I asked her to order another thing for the dragon online, I just recently got my flailing Dubia colony. I'll look into some of those worms.

Andy

 

[diamc]

Do you guys know any place that is good to order them from???

I prefer http://www.mulberryfarms.com I have been using them for years, they have great customer service and always send extra worms. I get my orders all the way from CA to NY in 2 days by USPS which I think is great. Some others use http://www.greatlakeshornworm.com

 

[jeschardies]

Would there be size restrictions for an 18" beardie? Also is dusting necessary for Hornworms?

 

[kimmie]

Would there be size restrictions for an 18" beardie? Also is dusting necessary for Hornworms?

I fed Angus mostly Hornworms for sometime when he was smaller, they are no problem. And NO you don't have to dust the Hornworms because they are already HIGH in calcium. Just make sure you get small ones because they "usually" grow FAST! But that can vary as well. I've had some grow like weeds (in 5 days they were the size of my index finger) and Angus could only eat 2 at a meal. I ended up having to donate them to a petshop because I had more than I figured on.

You can put them in the fridge but it's 2 days in and then 1 day out. I always got mine from Greatlakes but both are good people to get them from. Just know ordering between M - W you'll get them by the end of the week, later they won't ship until the following Monday due to the heat and being left overnight at a facility.

They are fun to watch them eat them though and often they squirt juices so don't watch TOO closely! :lol: Angus was a messy eater at times and I'd end up wiping his face off afterwards!