Herps & Habitats Prey/Feeder Insects Page
Buying prey/feeder insects in large quantities is often a more economical way to bring joy to your bearded dragon lizard while leaving some cash in your wallet. Good care of prey insects is essential. Mold and mildew, shed skins and old food can quickly kill off an entire colony of feeder insects. The following tips should help you care for your prey/feeder insects properly.
Crickets (Archeta domestica)
Crickets are usually available in 5 sizes. They thrive at room temperature (70°), but temperatures above 70° can often cause trouble. Use a Rubbermaid© tub for a container. The tub we use is deep enough so that the lid is not necessary. Air circulation is absolutely necessary for good cricket care. Several egg crates and some toilet paper rolls offer more room to wander and essential hiding places. Slices of apple and orange for moisture and a bran/oat mixture for food. Use of Cricket Quencher is a smart idea, as is a saturated sponge or cottonballs on a low plate. Crickets will drown in ANY amount of water, so any kind of dish that puddles water is a problem without a sponge or cotton balls. Clean out old food and water daily, clean tub completely in between shipments.
Mealworms (Tenebrio molitor)
Mealworms are usually available in four sizes. They are high in protein, so they are a nutritious treat for your dragon. Mealworms can be kept several ways. They can be kept dormant in the refrigerator, lasting several months at 45°. They can be shaken from the wrapping paper used during shipment into a ten-gallon tank if you choose to keep them at room temperature. At room temperature they will continue to grow. Often you will see white worms in the tank. These are worms that have just shed the hard exo-skeleton shell and they are particularly good for your dragon. We keep my worms in bran, oat or corn meal and offer lettuce leaves, bok choy, apple or orange slices for moisture.
Superworms (Zophobus morio)
These worms are super in size compared to large mealworms. They are not of the same species s mealworms, and the larvae can be identified by distinctive brownish bands. They are fast moving, have a long shelf life and do not require refrigeration. Superworms can also be stored in bran flakes, and should also be offered lettuce, apple or orange for moisture.
Fly Larvae-Grubs
Fly larvae are also soft-bodied grubs, often called maggots They should be kept covered and at nearly freezing temperatures, ideally 36 °. They can be kept for several weeks in this manner without trouble. They are highly susceptible to heat during shipping.
Waxworms (Galleria mellonella)
Waxworms are a creamy colored, soft-bodied grub that are high in protien, fat and moisture. They are ideally stored at 65° and will often last a month without further feeding. The substrate must be dry as moisture shortens shelf-life. Remove any dead insects as necessary. Because of the high fat content, waxworms should only be fed sparingly to your bearded dragon.
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