Mealworm nutrional value

[Klogue1]

Just a random question I have... Was browsing YouTube and came across a bearded dragon feeding video, the guy said that he never feeds mealworms because they have little nutritional value, and that they cause impaction.

So I was wondering what they could be talking about. Many people feed mealworms as a staple to their leos, and I've seen the nutritional value charts, and they're not that bad, pretty close to crickets I believe. The only big factor is the high chitin/hard exoskeleton. But I've heard of few leos getting impaction from mealies, neither of mine have ever gotten impaction from them either.

Is there a huge difference in bearded dragon and leopard gecko digestive systems? I'm sure there are differences of course but how big of a difference that could cause them to be more prone to impaction? And if mealies are fine to be a staple for leos, why are they a strict no to beardies?

Sorry if this is the wrong forum, wasn't sure if this should go with the bearded dragons or here... I can move my question over there if needed. I was just really confused about this

 

[Magdalen]

I think that might be some what of a myth. I've had my geckos for 7 years and they eat mealworms/superworms with no problems.

 

[Angrychair]

I did see a really good graph once, trying to find it again. Found this in the mean time.

Ca P Mg Na K Cu Fe Zn Mn Se
-----------%----------- -----ppm------

 

[Klogue1]

Thanks! They do look pretty similar I think but I don't really know a whole lot about the different nutrients (whether certain ones are bad or good when high or low, etc).

 

[tiedxupxinxknots]

variety is the best way to go, if you feed them the same thing over and over then they might be subject to vitamin A deficiency.

 

[specialtyreptile]

Just a random question I have... Was browsing YouTube and came across a bearded dragon feeding video, the guy said that he never feeds mealworms because they have little nutritional value, and that they cause impaction.

So I was wondering what they could be talking about. Many people feed mealworms as a staple to their leos, and I've seen the nutritional value charts, and they're not that bad, pretty close to crickets I believe. The only big factor is the high chitin/hard exoskeleton. But I've heard of few leos getting impaction from mealies, neither of mine have ever gotten impaction from them either.

Is there a huge difference in bearded dragon and leopard gecko digestive systems? I'm sure there are differences of course but how big of a difference that could cause them to be more prone to impaction? And if mealies are fine to be a staple for leos, why are they a strict no to beardies?

Sorry if this is the wrong forum, wasn't sure if this should go with the bearded dragons or here... I can move my question over there if needed. I was just really confused about this

Dragons do not have the digestive tract that many geckos have. Most of the time dragons will pass the exoskeleton of the mealworm undigested. For baby dragons this is a huge problem because they are so small. Dragons will impact and die.

 

[Klogue1]

Dragons do not have the digestive tract that many geckos have. Most of the time dragons will pass the exoskeleton of the mealworm undigested. For baby dragons this is a huge problem because they are so small. Dragons will impact and die.

Thank you for that information

 

[Russellm0704]

I fed my dragon mealies for a few weeks and he did not poop for a long time. I now only feed him crickets and Supers and he passes them fine. Never had a gecko get impacted from mealies