Super Worms Escaping.

[Condawg]

Well, I got my first leopard gecko today (very freaking excited!), and for his food I got super worms.

I got a dish that said "Mealworm Dish" in it to put them in.
It's curved, and my brother's girlfriend Lena (Valencia) told me that they wouldn't be able to get out, but already 1 of them has (another almost did, but I pushed it back in).

Is there anything to be concerned about?

They seem to be saying put now, but it IS possible for them to get out.
Is this okay? Is it find if they roam around a bit, or could they potentially cause my gecko damage?

And if they shouldn't roam, what should I do?

I can't go out and get another dish today or anything like that...

Thanks
Connor

 

[Hayabusa]

I have the same dish, i can only imagine superworms are a bit bigger than mealworms? and thats why they're getting out.

Are you using a supplement to dust the worms?

If not id say try that, because its powdery it makes the dish very difficult for them to cling to and climb out

 

[Condawg]

I have the same dish, i can only imagine superworms are a bit bigger than mealworms? and thats why they're getting out.

Are you using a supplement to dust the worms?

If not id say try that, because its powdery it makes the dish very difficult for them to cling to and climb out

I'm not sure; I've never seen mealworms.

Anyway, no, I'm not dusting, I'm putting a dish of calcium in there instead.

But, none have escaped since I posted... A few got a bit of their bodies out, but they all fell back down, so maybe I accidentally missed the bowl putting them in or something and didn't notice...
Couldn't imagine how that'd happen, but they're not getting out anymore.

 

[Bennayboi]

Super worms will almost always find a way to escape. You can try to put a small piece of vegetable in the bowl to keep the preoccupied. You could switch to mealworms if you dont like supers.

You need to dust with a multi-vitamin twice a week for juvies and twice a month for adults. They cant absorb calcium without D3. And they can overdose on d3 so its best to dust rather than putting it in a dish.

Heres a good caresheet, make sure you read it.

http://www.progeckos.com/caresheets/leos.htm

 

[Condawg]

Please?
Anyone?

I really want to know this, especially before I go to bed tonight...

I keep getting worried.
3 more have escaped. It doesn't happen often, but it happens, and it worries the crap out of me.

EDIT: Well, that's odd... 2 hours without a post, and we both post at the same time =]

Thanks. I'll read through the caresheet and see if it has any info on this situation...

Unfortunately I didn't pick up a multi-vitamin... I'll have to keep an eye out for that.
Also, what separates a juvenile from an adult?
Like, the merchant said that this little guy hatched 6 months ago. Juvie or adult?
Thanks

 

[Bennayboi]

Up to one year is a juvie. Once you get the correct setup adults almost care for themselves. Juvies just need additional feeding and dusting.

 

[Condawg]

Up to one year is a juvie. Once you get the correct setup adults almost care for themselves. Juvies just need additional feeding and dusting.

Ahh, gotcha.

Thanks

 

[Condawg]

I hate to double-post, but I'd really like to know if it's harmful.

They're escaping like crazy now -- they've caught on.
Every 10 minutes or so, they get out.

I want to go to bed in a bit, but I don't want to leave Byran in a harmful state.
So, should I remove them all for the night, or keep them in there because he may want them?
I don't want to leave them in there if they can hurt him or anything, but if they can't, I see no reason not to.

Any help, please?

EDIT: Just got help in the chatroom.
Turns out Byran's too young for supers, and even if he wasn't they're not very safe to be left in there with him.
Gotta get some mealies...

 

[rcobourn]

Generally an escaped superworm is going to find a place to hide, probably under the water dish. They seek moisture, not so much your gecko to gnaw on. I doubt your leo can't handle superworms... my adult pictus geckos can take superworms (surprised me!) and they are smaller than a 6 month old leo. Just feed a few at a time, when he stops eating, put the rest away. Don't try to leave superworms out in a dish, I just don't think it is possible to prevent escapes. They just climb over each other. If you want to leave food out all the time, get mealworms. It really isn't necessary. Leopard geckos don't have constant access to food in the wild... they take what they can get when they can get it.