When is it safe to feed superworms?

[ImNotYogi]

My new gecko, Archer, is about 3 months old, 6-6 1/2 inches long, and I don't know his weight. I've postponed getting a scale because I thought he'd be a little stressed when I first got him but I'm getting one tonight since he's more settled. I'm going to see if the store has some waxworms and was thinking of getting some supers as well.

Edit: He eats very well (mix of crickets, mealies, and phoenix worms). The mealies and crickets are kept on a diet of mustard greens, collard greens, and kale. I'll occasionally throw in the orange cubes, water gels, flukers high calcium gutload along with the greens or shake the greens with calcium w/o D3. He also poops regularly. The breeder I got him from said he wouldn't ship unless the geckos were at least 20 grams.

 

[DrCarrotTail]

I get overly worried about my geckos, especially new hatchlings and so I like to make sure they're gaining or staying stable before freaking out when they don't eat for a couple days. I got a great little pocket scale off Amazon for about $8. It goes up to 1000g and measures in 0.1g increments. It's small and you definitely need a deli cup or Tupperware or something to stick your gecko in but it works great for me and my small collection! It only gets a bit annoying when working with my feisty 80g+ male.

Superworms bug me (hahaha...okay sorry bad pun). I know a lot of folks on here feed them but they do have strong mandibles and IMO they're only safe if you crush their heads or cut off their mandibles. I can't imagine that isn't slightly uncomfortable for the worm and I don't like inflicting unnecessary pain so I choose not to feed them. If I were going to try to feed them to any of my leos I would probably wait until 40+ grams because I'm paranoid and they're big!!

 

[ImNotYogi]

I'll be checking Harbor Freight in about an hour or so (payday!). I'm a little spooked by superworms too. This is my first reptile since I was a kid so I don't have much experience. I don't think they can eat their way through a stomach but I've read they chomp their way through the deli containers they're in. He was raised with mealies and sometimes he'll stand with them in his mouth for a few moments before biting the head. I keep thinking a super would get in a bite or two in those few seconds. I'm going to hold off on the supers until he's a little bigger.

 

[Cesar_Da_KIng]

i wouldnt worry about supers to much. i would wait till he gets a little older cause their shell is slightly harder than crickets and a little harder to digest, but crunching their heads is a little unecessary (im not saying dont, if you have the time then do it it will only help, but its not needed). There have been some super worm incidentsbut they mostly occure in beardies not leos, and they are few and far between. I wouldnt worry ive been using them for a long time and all my reps love them and they make a great staple.

 

[Russellm0704]

You can buy appropriate sized supers for juveniles. But hatchlings get only mealies for the first month or 2.

 

[ImNotYogi]

When are they considered juveniles? He weighed in at 23 grams last night. The pet store doesn't sell superworms small enough for him for me to feel comfortable. I was going to be ordering more food next week so I'll throw in some young supers too.

 

[Cesar_Da_KIng]

i would say about when he hits 40-45 grams you should be okay.

 

[WilliamTheLeopardGecko]

I don't trust super worms, but I'm not an expert. Make sure you squish the head.

 

[LunaMarcusCarlisle]

Why does the head have to be squished?
I've been following this thread. Was curious about this as well.

 

[Russellm0704]

Why does the head have to be squished?
I've been following this thread. Was curious about this as well.

The head does not have to be squished. There have been a few reported cases of the supers biting the geckos mouths and causing a little damage. The myth about them eating through the stomach is complete crap. My 60 plus geckos have NEVER had a problem with supers. And there are places where you can buy baby supers. Supers are better IMO because they are easier to digest and they are much more active which makes the geckos want them more.

 

[katie_]

I feed small supers to my hatchlings with the heads cut off.

 

[Cesar_Da_KIng]

The head does not have to be squished. There have been a few reported cases of the supers biting the geckos mouths and causing a little damage. The myth about them eating through the stomach is complete crap. My 60 plus geckos have NEVER had a problem with supers. And there are places where you can buy baby supers. Supers are better IMO because they are easier to digest and they are much more active which makes the geckos want them more.

"Took the words right outta my mouth PJ."

 

[tgolden]

I've been feeding supers to my lizards a long time now and never had any problem.as long as they are the right size your good. The only issue I have had is they Throw my beardies b.m's off a day or two. They aree a good staple and ez to care for.

 

[ImNotYogi]

I think I'll buy some babies next time I order some grub.

 

[tgolden]

For the price you pay they are a pretty good deal. Just make sure to use small ones. I pull the smallest ones out for my gecko and then the larger ones I give to my bearded dragon

 

[Cesar_Da_KIng]

i usaully just feed my geckos chicken

 

[tgolden]

i usaully just feed my geckos chicken

If they eat chicken maybe you should try coon to.

 

[Cesar_Da_KIng]

Well i tried just throwin a baby pig in there but they couldnt catch it

 

[Russellm0704]

Well i tried just throwin a baby pig in there but they couldnt catch it

Really? my juveniles can handle the piglets. You just gotta make them squeal and the geckos will go right for them.

 

[Cesar_Da_KIng]

Ya they like the noise but theyre very slow... might be from all the silver back gorrila theyre eating