Many people opt to not feed them mealies. There are stories going around that mealies eat through intestinal tracts of young lizards/geckos. I have never had it happen to any neonate of mine, crestie or not. I however choose not to feed the mealies to babies as the chiton (I guess thats how it is spelled...its the hard exo of the mealie)is harder to digest. I do offer mealies once a month or so to my adults and they are always gutloaded with baby carrots (actual carrots, not baby food). I have known for people to feed phoenix worms to cresties. I've never tried them because they are pricey and they wig me out....don't ask. I don't give wax worms until they are juvies and I offer those sparingly as they are too fatty and should be considered as a treat. Funny enough, I only have a couple cresties that actually show interest in them.
When you say worm, do you mean earthworms too? I ask because I know many amphibians that eat them. I wouldn't do earthworms or the small red wigglers or the Georgia jumpers (yes....Ga has a worm believe it or not)to cresteds. To me, the main nutrition of the earthworm is from the head to the segment which is nearly 1/3 of the worm. The rest of it back is intestines filled with dirt. I really wouldn't fool with the earthworms. Someone out there may feel otherwise but it is a personal preference.
The babies though, I feed crickets, fruit flies, CGD, and I also mix them my own cocktail.
Many folks advise only the use of CGD and crickets and don't vary. Do what you believe to be best.
Whoa, Eastern spotted newts? I live in Ga and used to catch them in North and central Ga growing up. I once found a shallow cove and there must have been 30 of them and they were all in amplexus. It was funny because the females would paddle to the top of the water while piggy backing a male for a gulp of air. Then they would sink to the shallows. I never see them anymore though. I haven't seen a wild one in close to 12 years. I am sure I won't come across any in the near future from the drought we had, though so far this year we are getting alot of rain. Maybe I will get the kayaks in the water soon! Pretty cool though that the ESN are in the pet trade. They would make beautiful specimens.

Severa

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