Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Does anyone out there feed "Red Worms"? Not "Red Wigglers" but Red Worms?

We asked a question about worms a few weeks ago and we ordered some Euro Drift Worms but our turts won't eat them.

Thanks
Melinda

Red Wiggler Worms aka Red Worms, (Eisenia fetida), or Redworms are marketed under many different common names. Some people call them red wigglers, manure worms, red hybrid, dungworm, or striped worm. All these names are for the same kind of redworms.

I tried "RED WORMS" for boxie feeders several years ago. I found that while they are great for composting; my boxies would not eat them. A few were bit at; but they were always left on the substrate.

These are not garden worms or worms that live in soil; but these worms thrive in manure piles. They would die very quickly in garden soil. They have poor nutritional content for boxies unlike the garden worms and nightcrawlers ( high in calcium) that my boxies love. Earthworms comprise of more varieties than one would imagine. They need grit in their gizzard to break down decaying leaves and decaying plant matter. Those that live in soil ( rather than manure) are the varieties that your boxie will cherish.

I have never tried Drift Worms....but I would research what they feed on before considering them as a feeder for my boxies.

Hope this helps.

Ric