Live food is essential for most reptiles and other exotic animals. Insects such as crickets and mealworms provide crucial nutrition for lizards, snakes, and turtles. However, there are some key factors to understand, like chitin levels and fat content.
Some worms also require dusting with supplement powders because they’re missing key nutrients.
It’s important to feed your reptiles properly and provide them with a balanced diet. Let’s look at some of the most popular live insects that pet reptiles eat!
1. Crickets
Crickets have become increasingly popular amongst reptile owners as a staple food for their beloved pets. They are more expensive than the likes of mealworms or wax worms. But they have many nutritional benefits and offer more enrichment. Live insects such as crickets spice up a reptile’s life because they will jump away. This is exciting for lizards like bearded dragons or iguanas because it triggers their predatory instincts and gives them a sense of purpose.
These insects also contain many valuable nutrients including protein and fiber. Another great advantage is that owners can “gut load” crickets by feeding them first. This increases their nutritional profile, which is good news for your reptile. They will also help to hydrate your reptile pal because of their high water content.
Crickets may seem like the perfect food but there are a few issues. It’s challenging to keep them alive, and they’re notoriously good at escaping. Crickets also have a higher risk of carrying parasites than worms and can bite your pet. They may not be suitable for smaller lizards like leopard geckos or chameleons. These critters also smell notoriously bad!
2. Mealworms
Every reptile pet owner has probably bought mealworms at least once. They’re one of the most widely available live critters on the market. Mealworms are the larval form of the mealworm beetle. They’re a very convenient food source because, unlike crickets, they’re easy to handle. You can also keep them in the fridge for months without worrying about them dying. Pet owners can boost mealworms’ nutritional value by “gut-loading” them too. This gives them a nutritional boost, which is beneficial for your reptile pet.
However, there are a few problems with mealworms. First, they’re very fatty, so they should be part of a balanced diet—not a whole meal. Secondly, they have a lower meat content than other live insects. Their higher chitin levels can also trigger reptile health problems like impaction. This can be a big problem for young bearded dragons.
3. Calci Worms
These worms are the larvae of the black soldier fly. They’re great food sources because they contain higher levels of calcium than other worms. This is excellent for bone growth, so they’re a great option for younger reptiles. They’re also softer than mealworms, making them easier to digest. Meanwhile, they’re very easy to store. Simply keep them in the refrigerator, and occasionally feed them vegetables. They have lower fat levels than other options, too.
The negatives are that some reptiles are very picky and won’t eat calci worms. Another issue is that too much calcium is bad for some reptiles. They can develop hypercalcemia which causes lethargy and digestion problems as well as renal failure. Small tortoises can also experience bladder stones.
That’s why calci worms should supplement your reptile’s main diet. If you’ve any doubts, you should ask an experienced reptile vet for advice.
4. Waxworms
Geckos and bearded dragons adore wax worms because of their high fat content. It’s like feeding chocolate to a child. However, that’s exactly why wax worms should only be a treat for reptiles. Give them a couple of waxworms every two days to give your pet a massive nutrient boost. These worms contain high levels of protein, which is crucial for bone growth and repair. It’s also very easy for reptiles to digest them because their bodies contain zero chitin.
However, waxworms can be very addictive. This might seem crazy, but it is a genuine issue for some owners who fed too many waxworms to their bearded dragons or leopard geckos. Nonetheless, they make a decent supplementary option and are a good live food option.
5. Locusts
Locusts are great feeder insects for many pet reptiles. They have high protein levels at about 40% as well as decent amounts of fat and fiber. Some lizards like leopard geckos need plenty of phosphorus in their diets. Locusts are a good option for them. Locusts are toxic to some animals, so check with your vet to make sure they’re safe.
They are more docile and don’t escape as easily because they’re bigger. However, locusts tend to be more expensive, and they’re less accessible for some owners. Buying in bulk helps, but it’s harder to keep them alive this way. Bearded dragons love them, so they’re an excellent option for this breed. Give the locusts fresh greens every day to ensure they survive.
6. Mice
Yes, we know that mice aren’t insects, but we’re including them as an honorable mention. Mice are generally a good option for corn snakes and rat snakes because of their high fat content. These slender pet snake species have fast metabolisms and transform food into energy very quickly. Mice contain more calories than other vertebrates like chicks or rats.
Reptiles should eat mice as part of a balanced diet but not as their main source of nutrition. They can cause obesity if they eat too much of them. Nonetheless, eating mice can be good for your reptile’s skin because the fat helps to absorb key minerals like A, D, and K.
