Confused about staple feeder

[fifthdawn]

I keep many reptiles and bearded dragons and leopard geckos are my primary bug eatters.

The problem is, there is conflicting advice in either forums. Majority of people seem to feed their leopard geckos mealworms and it is clear the argument here is it doesn't cause impaction.

On the beardie forums, mealworms are argued to be able to cause impaction.
It is also argued that mealworms have too much chitin in their shells and is too much shell and too little meat.

I understand they probably have different digestive tracks but is it that much different?

Any opinions on this issue?

 

[Ehatcher]

Superworms and Crickets for me. I have also read that mealworms pose an impaction threat in beardies. I would think that a beardeds digestive track would be a lot larger (obviously) and impaction wouldnt pose a threat to an adult. But im no expert.

I have no problem feeding and keeping crickets for my geckos. Some dont like to because of smell and disgust. Personally my cricket bin never has any odor, and if it does it is only faintly noticeable when you put your face close to the bin.

 

[sunshinegeckofarm]

crickets and superworms are a good staple diet. I feed my leos superworms only for the moment. I have fed worms and crickets in the past but Im quite sick of having large amounts of crickets in the house that die really quickly right now so im taking a break from them and only buying enough for my cresties to have once a week.

i have heard that supers have a less of a impaction risk than mealworms since one super is equal to like 5 mealworms, and they still have less chitin than mealworms. there are other insects too but some can be more pricey but if your looking for variety and dont have a bunch of them to feed you can feed phoenix worms, silkworms, butterworms and i know there is more but im drawing a blank right now.

but most of all feed them what they will eat and make sure what they eat is well gutloaded.

 

[GeckoNub]

Im using dubia roaches, crickets, mealworms, locusts and occasional waxworms.

My males will eat whatever you give them but my females are really picky. 2 of them will only seem to eat mealies from a dish atm and thats if they feel like it.

Ive not had any impaction problems with mealies so far and normally mealworm poop seems softer and mushier so im not sure how it would cause problems.

Theres so many myths running round on the internet i can understand how its hard to know whats truth and whats not

 

[sunshinegeckofarm]

o yeah roaches are another good option for feeders but catch your state laws to make sure that you dont have any illegal species of them.

 

[ddkgeckos]

super worms, locust and silkworms when i can get em for me.I love super worms though as they live for what seems like months.But i cant see how a beardie would have problems with meal worms when a leo does not. But i don't really know about beardies so don't listen to me.