What's wrong with Superworms?

[DragonPete]

Hi all! Seems that a lot of posters are against feeding Supers. Why is that?
I'm aware of common opinion that most worms shouldn't be fed to babies. Ok what about 2.5 yo adults? I've read so many that are adamant to NEVER feed Supers! Wondered what was the cause for that opinion.
I'm just a curious sort of person ? LOL! I always want to know WHY.
Thanks to all!
-Dee

 

[MrSpectrum]

The only case I've heard against feeding them at all are claims that they're "addictive", though that's not been my own experience.

Beyond that, I've only heard that they shouldn't be used as a main staple--only an occasional treat (again, no definitions of what "occasional" means beyond peoples' personal interpretations. I've also seen claims that they can cause digestive problems--countered by anecdotal evidence that some dragons have no such issues.

My own experiences have been that ZaRDoZ loves anything (I've tried) that moves--dubias, supers, giant mealies, regular mealies, waxworms, butterworms, bsfl... I've settled on dubias as a staple (his num-nums) but he eats them all (except bsfl) with relish (but not piccalilli... :lol: ) I've used supers & mealies (both kinds) for a couple/few days at a time if/when dubia shipments are delayed. Never had any problems.

I spoze a clue might be to compare their nutritional value against some of the more accepted staples like dubia roaches & silkworms. I've found some variation in these sources as well.

nutritional value of insect feeders

 

[Aaradimian]

The reason I've heard it that their exoskeletons are hard to digest, especially for babies. I can't vouch for the truth of that statement, however. I feed them to mine from time to time as part of a feeder rotation and have never noticed any issues.

 

[MrSpectrum]

The reason I've heard it that their exoskeletons are hard to digest, especially for babies.

+1

...but they were one of the feeders I bought at a local pet shop when I ran short of dubias. The supers measured at least twice the distance between his eyes, but he snarfed em right down--no problem. (His eyes got real big too--reminds me of when Ol' Furface gets some cheese! :lol: )

 

[Claudiusx]

Nothing is wrong with Supers IMO.

Just like every other insect (and food) out there, it has it's pluses, and it has its negatives.

Supers make up a decent portion of all of my dragons diets, along with other bugs of course.

-Brandon

 

[DragonPete]

Thanks you all!
I figure, as long as Petey gets a nice salad each day, having Supers 2-3 times a week shouldn't be an issue. So I'll stick with that.
I'm surprised he's not obese since Supers have been 95% of his diet up until the last 6 months. I think he is much healthier now.
I ask son when he went to vet last and it was right over a year now, they were taken after being acquired by son. Fecal test done, clean. Vet said he was healthy. That was Jan 2019.
Although he didn't have near enough non-protein foods, he did have his Supers dusted with supplements as was recommended. Maybe because he was a Free Range Dragon for the 1st year, he got more exercise, maybe had salads too, no idea. Just know about is last 15 months or so.
Thanks again! I know I ask a lot of questions but I'm curious and want to know the WHY of the answers. ? Sorry to be a PITA. LOL!
-Dee

 

[MrSpectrum]

Thanks you all!
I figure, as long as Petey gets a nice salad each day, having Supers 2-3 times a week shouldn't be an issue. So I'll stick with that.

Sounds fine as long as he handles them ok. I'm looking for a source myself (the few I've tried have been OOS).

 

[DragonPete]

Thanks you all!
I figure, as long as Petey gets a nice salad each day, having Supers 2-3 times a week shouldn't be an issue. So I'll stick with that.

Sounds fine as long as he handles them ok. I'm looking for a source myself (the few I've tried have been OOS).

Ok....what would make it appear that's he's not handling them well?
-Dee

 

[Gormagon]

Thanks you all!
I figure, as long as Petey gets a nice salad each day, having Supers 2-3 times a week shouldn't be an issue. So I'll stick with that.

Sounds fine as long as he handles them ok. I'm looking for a source myself (the few I've tried have been OOS).

Ok....what would make it appear that's he's not handling them well?
-Dee

When the plumbing backs up ? if you know what I mean, LOL!!!

 

[DragonPete]

Thanks you all!
I figure, as long as Petey gets a nice salad each day, having Supers 2-3 times a week shouldn't be an issue. So I'll stick with that.

Sounds fine as long as he handles them ok. I'm looking for a source myself (the few I've tried have been OOS).

Ok....what would make it appear that's he's not handling them well?
-Dee

When the plumbing backs up ? if you know what I mean, LOL!!!

Ok gotcha! No problem there, he gets big salads with lots of variety everyday and does his biz everyday. He stays well hydrated too. ?
-Dee

 

[Gormagon]

Thanks you all!
I figure, as long as Petey gets a nice salad each day, having Supers 2-3 times a week shouldn't be an issue. So I'll stick with that.

Sounds fine as long as he handles them ok. I'm looking for a source myself (the few I've tried have been OOS).

Ok....what would make it appear that's he's not handling them well?
-Dee

When the plumbing backs up ? if you know what I mean, LOL!!!

I just got another order in from Rainbow Mealworms (1000 huge Mealworms and 250 Supers) along with and order of 500 dubias from ABDragons. Charlie and Angel are happy now..... (Well Angel is anyway),lol!!!

 

[DragonPete]

Thanks you all!
I figure, as long as Petey gets a nice salad each day, having Supers 2-3 times a week shouldn't be an issue. So I'll stick with that.

Sounds fine as long as he handles them ok. I'm looking for a source myself (the few I've tried have been OOS).

Ok....what would make it appear that's he's not handling them well?
-Dee

When the plumbing backs up ? if you know what I mean, LOL!!!

I just got another order in from Rainbow Mealworms (1000 huge Mealworms and 250 Supers) along with and order of 500 dubias from ABDragons. Charlie and Angel are happy now..... (Well Angel is anyway),lol!!!

Sounds like a Beardies Buffet! ?
-Dee

 

[Gormagon]

Charlie is never happy.... He is the Walter of the dragon world.... (Jeff Dunham dummy reference)

 

[DragonPete]

Charlie is never happy.... He is the Walter of the dragon world.... (Jeff Dunham dummy reference)

Love Dunham and especially Walter! He reminds me of my granddad. Lol! ?
-Dee

 

[MrSpectrum]

Thanks you all!
I figure, as long as Petey gets a nice salad each day, having Supers 2-3 times a week shouldn't be an issue. So I'll stick with that.

Sounds fine as long as he handles them ok. I'm looking for a source myself (the few I've tried have been OOS).

Ok....what would make it appear that's he's not handling them well?
-Dee

When the plumbing backs up ? if you know what I mean, LOL!!!

Yup, or the opposite (diarrhea). Basically any digestive issue. Sorry I wasn't clear.