best feeders?

[LS84]

I know crickets are the easiest to get, but I try to feed a varied diet. Silkworms are very healthy for most animals, but they are harder to obtain, so I only feed them every couple of months. I am working on breeding roaches...but no babies yet. There are also waxworms and butterworms, superworms, mealworms and phoenix worms. I'm looking for something that I can order and keep on hand as a back up that lasts a while for when I cant run out for crickets and something that I can throw in a dish. What is the ideal feeder for this purpose that is the most nutritious??? I know some are more fattening, some last longer, and some arent very nutritious, but remember this isnt going to be her constant diet. any suggestions?

[dirtborder]

Superworms are a life saver for me, when I don't have time to thaw out some chicks for my albig, or round up and dust crickets for the ackies.I just grab a handful or two, and throw them in a bowl. I feed mine a homemade, nutritious(sp?) diet, which is also their bedding, and give them wet veggies and fruit for moisture. They can live for months like this, and only a few will pupate, and turn into beetles as long as you don't seperate them. Their exoskeletons don't have as much chitin as mealworms, and they're many times their size, and much more meaty. They sound to be just what you're looking for from my experience with them.

[LS84]

is it true with superworms they can bite pretty bad? I know the ones I can buy at the store here are huge and Im not sure if my 12in bearded dragon can eat them yet..I hear some people smush their heads so they cant bite?

[John_E_Dove]

I wonder why no one ever thinks to include Night crawlers/ earth worms in the diet for lizards who will eat almost anything.
They really have good nutritional data, Protein 10.39% / Fat 7.2% / Calcium 1.18% / Phosphorus .9% / Chitin 0

[LS84]

I dont know...around here I can only find nightcrawlers as fish bait, and I've heard these arent as healthy because fish bait worms arent feed properly. I just recently found something called "calciworms" i think...They are actual nightcrawlers that were fed properly for use a reptile food. I still didnt think to feed them to my bearded dragon...just my turtle.

[John_E_Dove]

LOL, If they are good enough for your turt why not your beardie?
Off hand I am not sure of the water content but I'll bet they'd help in that regard also.
Let me know if your beardie refuses them.

[LS84]

I did a little research and found that they are too high in fat, kinda of like waxworms, so they are only to be fed as a treat. The other issue was also that the bait ones are unhealthy so you have to feed ones that are sold for reptile food. Most people think they can just pull the worms out of the ground...which could have fertilizers..a no no.

[smilin-buddha]

I always have superworms on hand. I give them a little carrots and they live in Peat moss. My Leopard Geckos love them. ANd if I have a few extra the curley tails that live around my house get a treat .