Phoenix Worms as a staple?

[Kelsey12]

I am still researching before I buy my first gecko, and now I am on to the feeding questions.

Would Phoenix Worms make a good staple, instead of crickets or mealworms? I am reading some information on a website that sells them right now, and it says that you don't need to feed them or even dust them, since they have a higher calcium amount than other feeders. I was planning on buying Repashy Calcium Plus, but if I buy these worms as a staple, will I not need to buy this or should I anyway incase I want to add a variety to my gecko diet? Phoenix Worms just seem more convienient, but I'd like to hear some opinions from more experienced people. Thanks!

 

[starfire8472]

it is true, but about 50% of geckos wont eat them (bad taste?) It couldnt hurt to try, but I wouldnt buy an outrageous number of them till you know how your pet likes them

 

[nats]

Yep, they are very high in natural calcium, and low it fat. Should make an ideal feeder. I just got my very first (try out) batch from Worm Man. The ones I ordered are small (I hope they grow up fast!!) and my female will eat them, but my male will not!!!! I dont know yet if I will buy these again.
My male will not eat these, or mealies, so only my female will eat them. But, she also likes mealies, which are easy to raise.

 

[nats]

I am still researching before I buy my first gecko, and now I am on to the feeding questions.

Would Phoenix Worms make a good staple, instead of crickets or mealworms? I am reading some information on a website that sells them right now, and it says that you don't need to feed them or even dust them, since they have a higher calcium amount than other feeders. I was planning on buying Repashy Calcium Plus, but if I buy these worms as a staple, will I not need to buy this or should I anyway incase I want to add a variety to my gecko diet? Phoenix Worms just seem more convienient, but I'd like to hear some opinions from more experienced people. Thanks!

As far as a "staple" I dont think so.
They are limited in nutrition because they can not be gut loaded like crickets and roaches. Even though they are high in calcium, they are low in other important nutrients.

 

[REUBER]

i feed them as a staple to my dragon...and a salad or two a day that he eats....he seems to really love them.

My Leo wouldnt have anything to do with them just licked them....

 

[fallen_angel]

I have read that super worms make the best staple, but I will admit that I did not do as much research as I could have. At any rate, we feed primarily super worms, and we always get comments on how healthy looking our leos are.. I didn't think anything of it until several people started to ask us what we feed.

Also, because super worms are so much bigger, one leo only eats about 1-2 a day. There are occasional times when one will decide to eat a few more, of course. But when you buy 500 super worms, and they usually eat 1-2 each, they last a lot longer (as opposed to buying 500 mealworms, which a leo can go through 10-20 per day).

 

[SteveB]

As far as a "staple" I dont think so.
They are limited in nutrition because they can not be gut loaded like crickets and roaches. Even though they are high in calcium, they are low in other important nutrients.

Completely false. Phoenix worms eat a ton, it's very easy to gutload them.

 

[nats]

I have read that super worms make the best staple, but I will admit that I did not do as much research as I could have. At any rate, we feed primarily super worms, and we always get comments on how healthy looking our leos are.. I didn't think anything of it until several people started to ask us what we feed.

Also, because super worms are so much bigger, one leo only eats about 1-2 a day. There are occasional times when one will decide to eat a few more, of course. But when you buy 500 super worms, and they usually eat 1-2 each, they last a lot longer (as opposed to buying 500 mealworms, which a leo can go through 10-20 per day).

What if they wont eat mealies, will they still eat the supers?

 

[fallen_angel]

I don't know..? Some people say they have had problems getting some of their geckos to start eating supers, but we never really had a problem (all of our geckos eat them). I know some geckos can be really picky though. I guess all that you can do is just try it out and hope for the best

 

[nats]

I don't know..? Some people say they have had problems getting some of their geckos to start eating supers, but we never really had a problem (all of our geckos eat them). I know some geckos can be really picky though. I guess all that you can do is just try it out and hope for the best

Yeah, the reason I ask is because now (my female just sprung this on me), either one of my leos will eat mealies!!!!! :main_angry:
The male still just licks the dust off, and now, my female ignores them compleatly!!!
This behavour from my female only started a few days ago, and I'm not too happy about it!!!