What is better for my adult leos, Meal or Superworms?

[reptidude1]

^

 

[thestack510]

I voted Superworms because they are adults and would likely do better eating bigger food items. The Superworms I get are huge in comparison to Mealworms. It's like offering a sample on a toothpick or a foot long sub. If I'm hungry I'll go for the sub, you can keep the samples for those watching their waistlines. :main_laugh:

 

[Tony C]

Both, plus crickets, roaches, waxworms, silkworms, phoenix worms, and any other safe bugs you can acquire. Variety is always better.

 

[Courtney Bailey]

Ive always used mealies and I put a handful in their dishes. I think mealies are easier to keep and I’ve noticed that my geckos keep on weight better when I use them. Also I’m pretty sure they are easier to digest because they have less chitin (that outer shell) then the mealies.
Also like Tony said there is lots of bugs you can try in addition to the mealworms. beetles, roaches and caterpillars/ worms ( Butter Worms, Earth Worms, Silk/Green Horn Worms, and phoenix worms, wax )

 

[StatikStepz]

SUPERS SUPERS SUPERS SUPERS!!!! LOL

 

[Revilo]

Wait, why are supers better? Nutritionally they seem about the same as mealworms, does the size factor make that huge of a difference?

 

[Khrysty]

Wait, why are supers better? Nutritionally they seem about the same as mealworms, does the size factor make that huge of a difference?

Let's say a large superworm is equal to five medium mealworms

Eating five mealworms would give a leo five shares of chitin (skin/exoskeleton) along with five shares of the good stuff (the protein, vitamins, and moisture)

Eating one mealworm would give a leo one, slightly smaller share of chitin than the 5 mealworms combined, and one share of "the good stuff" just over the equivalent of the five shares of mealies.

They're not nutritionally better (especially if they're gutloaded with the same things) but they have more of what's needed and less of what isn't

 

[Kristi23]

I feed both now. I have some geckos who will only eat supers and some won't even touch them. I do feed more mealworms because I breed them. Supers gross me out too much to breed them. I also try to feed a variety and will feed mealworms, superworms, silkworms, dubias, and waxworms.

 

[THE WHISPERER]

Supers, there quicker and easier to deal with. my geckos also start to grow faster when i switch them from mealies to supers.

 

[jschaf1]

at what age would you say it is safe to start feeding a leo supers? Mine is about 10 months old. Is that old enough to start feeding her supers?

Thanks!

 

[Khrysty]

That's definitely old enough, I'd say

 

[BSM]

I have about 2k in super worms and most of my leos and fat tails wont touch them..... I dont see why as there way more active then meal worms so i would go with meal worms just in case they don't take them. I'm thinking it all has to due with what they are started on so im starting most of my hatch lings in the spring with small supers.

 

[leogecko88]

I tried superworms with Yoshi. It didn't work out. I think she won't touch them because they are too big.

 

[Enigmatic_Reptiles]

I use mealworms and dubias. Most of my leos will eat supers and enjoy them time to time but I have two that anytime they bite the super and they secret whatever fluid that is (i think its a defensive thing) they will release the worm and not eat anything for an entire day. I have no problem with mealies...I also breed them very easily.

 

[Schuttsr1]

Mine loves supers. If she has a choice with mealies and supers in front of her the supers are always gone first.

 

[Magic Merlin]

I feed mine supers from 2 weeks of age on......just pick a smaller super and they will eat it. I also breed mealies, 3 forms of roaches, and the holy grail of gecko food soldier grubs.

 

[Taquiq]

I love using mealies and so do my leos.

 

[fl_orchidslave]

Let's say a large superworm is equal to five medium mealworms

Eating five mealworms would give a leo five shares of chitin (skin/exoskeleton) along with five shares of the good stuff (the protein, vitamins, and moisture)

Eating one mealworm would give a leo one, slightly smaller share of chitin than the 5 mealworms combined, and one share of "the good stuff" just over the equivalent of the five shares of mealies.

They're not nutritionally better (especially if they're gutloaded with the same things) but they have more of what's needed and less of what isn't

I haven't finished reading the thread yet but this is the reason I also use supers as a staple, the chitin. All my kids have a glass tealight candle holder feeding dish they can see thru but not tip over, tall enough to keep the worms from escaping, a little supplement in the bottom and I drop in 2-3. Dollar tree has them in a package of 3 for a buck. IMO it is as simple as putting 10 mealies in a dish when there's a lot of mouths to feed. They often grab the first one before it hits the bottom of their dish, the piggies My super breeding colony is very prolific so there's plenty of baby supers for hatchlings. I mix them with mealies in each dish just to get the thousand mealies used up that I decided not to breed. They are more wiggly and attract hatchlings like a moth to light There is never a left over baby super but usually a few mealies. That tells me they like the supers more.

 

[ZooKeeperKarin]

Funny story on topic...
I've been feeding crickets and mealies and have just recently added supers to their menu. My two females LOVE the supers and prefer them to anything else. Both males (my breeder and my giant) have wanted nothing to do with them. Last night my male breeder decided to try a super. He ate one quickly and then RAN AS FAST AS HE COULD into his hide. He wouldn't even poke his face out for a good ten minutes. lol Guess he didn't like them. :main_laugh: