mealworm heads

[tintern]

I have just got the most lovely gecko (1st lizard pet). However I am getting so many conflicting messages as to whether I should take the headsoff the worms (in case of eating out of his stomach) before feeding him - the pet shop said I should, yet online said I neednt.

He is 8 weeks old so still quite small, I gave him a wax worm as a treat and he seems to love the stalking. I did take the head of some worms and hand fed him whilst they were still moving but I would prefer to leave a few in his bowl. He will not go near the dead lifeless ones - What are all your thoughts as I am very confused.

Thank you all :dunce:

 

[Friedbread]

Breeders who have 100+ geckos do not even have the time to pinch of mealworm heads. It isn't necessary in the first place. There have been no reports at all of mealworms eating their way out of a reptile's stomach. Killing the mealworms makes them less active, and your gecko won't be interested in them.

 

[MiamiLeos]

yea that whole thing is a myth. i was worried about it when i first heard too. no need to go thru the trouble, the acid in their stomach gets to the worms almost instantly, killing them. i like to leave a bowl of super worms in my adult geckos tank and and meal worms in the youngins'

 

[MichaelJ]

No need for any head popping. Just drop the mealworms in your leo's dish as they are. They are completely safe for your leo.

 

[GeckoNub]

As you will see when you're gecko eats them the worms are pretty much dead when they go down Even babies can be pretty savage with their food

I think some people get mealworms mixed up with superworms that can bite. Im not particularly fond of supers myself but one of my geckos has eaten them and not had anything bad happen even with the heads left on.

But mealies are harmless and i dont even mind picking them up with my fingers anymore But not roaches, theyre still icky :sick:

 

[tintern]

thanks to you all

yeh ta guys I thought it all seemed like something out of a horor film. I will give them to him alive as he seems to prefer it.