Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ken wrote:

"Waxworms are higher in fat than most feeders ~20%. Crickets are around 5%, mealworms 14%, and superworms 17%. Earthworms are the lowest at less than 2%. I'd say offer some earthworms to balance things out. Even the youngest hatchling should be able to handle a red worm (available at just about any bait and tackle shop). Also, you can chop up some nightcrawlers to the appropriate size. Earthworms are my food of choice for the youngest hatchlings. Once he/she is eating well, offer all of the above and more. I only offer prepared foods about once weekly."

I was curious, the percent of the organism types you listed: Is this percent dry weight, or percent fresh weight? Because if it is percent fresh weight, it's no wonder earthworms are so low: they live in far moister conditions.

I am still having trouble finding earthworms that my turtle can put his/ her mouth around. Are "red worms" smaller in diameter than others? I think you suggested red worms before, but I am not even sure what a red worm is. Some of the places I have had looked have "red trout worms"; others just "worms". The ones called "worms" - one time I bought them, they had a few the size my little guy can chow down on.

If you go to a good bait store they will have different sized worms. I can buy earthworms in 3 different sizes, baby, regular, nightcrawler. The store also carries red wigglers (looks like a red tiny earthworm) european earthworms, and several other varieties. My boxies will only eat the red wiggler if they are really hungery. You can cut up the earthworms into 1 inch lengths also. Earthworms dry or wet are low fat.

Around here, what you want is "red worms" or "trout worms" or "leaf worms". Just look for a gas station or convience store that has the sign "Walts Crawlers" in the window! They will probably have them.
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0.1.0 ornate box turtle
1.0.0 eastern box turtle
1.0.0 Yellow belly slider
0.1.0 Red belly cooter
0.1.0 Australian shepard
1.12.0 chickens
3.2.0 children (do I still count the married ones?)
1.0.0 husband

golfdiva wrote:

"Around here, what you want is "red worms" or "trout worms" or "leaf worms". Just look for a gas station or convience store that has the sign "Walts Crawlers" in the window! They will probably have them."

Since golfdiva lives around here, I can be specific. I went to a Kwik Fill on Division SE, and the first "Walt's Crawlers" brand container of "worms" had some small enough for my little guy. I have gone to Al & Bob's on Division SE, and what they have are called "red trout worms" (don't know the source of the worms). The guy at Al & Bobs' I talked to once said that real "red worms" were not what they had, but could be found at Brenner's on West River Dr in Comstock Park. Well, I called there, and they said they have "leaf worms" and "red worms", and said the diameter of those types of worms were the same. So I thought, why not try their "leaf worms" and had a friend them up (I don't drive for a few different reasons) and it turned they gave him the exactly what Al & Bob's has as "red trout worms" when I asked my friend to ask for leaf worms.

99% if the worms I have bought are just to big for my little guy/gal to get his/her mouth around. Today I resorted to cutting up some wax worms.

LOL! I think I got the story straight! I have purchased "leaf worms" from Brenner's in Comstock Park (It's on my way home from work.) That is the type of worm I was thinking about when I said to ask for red worms, trout worms, or leaf worms. They are all the same thing. These names are common names, and people will use these name interchangeabley. I don't know the scientific name. That is really the only name that will differentiate between the species of worms.

What kind of "Walt's Crawlers" worms did you get? Were they night crawlers or smaller "red" worms?
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0.1.0 ornate box turtle
1.0.0 eastern box turtle
1.0.0 Yellow belly slider
0.1.0 Red belly cooter
0.1.0 Australian shepard
1.12.0 chickens
3.2.0 children (do I still count the married ones?)
1.0.0 husband

Funny, such a big country, and you're nor far away at all.

What I got in the "Walt's Crawlers" are simply called "Worms". They tend to be a little smaller than the "Red Trout Worms" I get at Brenner's and Al & Bob's.

I am still surprised how much my little guy/gal baby box eats per day - usually a worm about his length per day. If the worm is longer, he/she eats the amount of the worm that that is about his/her length.

Big country, small world! lol! Isn't it funny how much they can eat? In one sitting,I've seen my girl eat 4 or 5 night crawlers or three handfuls of mulberries, or a whole boiled egg!

Please feel free to contact me if you need help with your turtle in the future!
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0.1.0 ornate box turtle
1.0.0 eastern box turtle
1.0.0 Yellow belly slider
0.1.0 Red belly cooter
0.1.0 Australian shepard
1.12.0 chickens
3.2.0 children (do I still count the married ones?)
1.0.0 husband

When I say he/she eats a worm the length of the turtle, I even mean including head when stretched out and tail. Today she/he surprised me by eating a worm LONGER than the full length.

Nutritional Analysis for
Red Wigglers
Moisture -84.8%, Protein - 10.5%,
Fat - 2.0%, Ash - 0.7%, Other - 2.0%

Nutritional Analysis for
Waxworms
Moisture - 62.6%, Protein -15.8%,
Fat - 20.4%, Ash - 0.8%, Other - 0.4%

This is the information exactly how it is found on the Timberline Fisheries website. I checked a few others, and found similar results. As you can see, it's a total body weight percentage. You're right, earthworms have far more moisture. However, a meal of waxworms is going to result in a higher amount of fat regardless. Don't get me wrong, I like waxworms. I don't see a problem with offering very young hatchlings waxworms. Fat isn't always a bad thing, especially when the turtle seems delicate and doesn't feed well. Just make sure you dust generously with vitamin and mineral powders. As the turtle strengthens, add in lower fat feeders.

Your little turtle should be able to tackle an average sized earthworm found in your garden. He/she should be able to grab on and tear pieces off. For exercise, I give my 'several week old' hatchlings nightcrawlers. They've been known to flip the little turtles over, but the turtles try nonetheless...and they manage to bite a few pieces off.

Redworms are known by many names...European worms, drift worms, trout worms, red wigglers. The scientific name of the worms to which I'm referring is "Eisenia foetida". They are available at just about any bait store of pet shop that I've visited. Some people say that their turtles don't like them...mine suck them down like spaghetti. They have the benefit of being small, so even the weakest hatchling can have a shot. If you can't find these, grab a pale and a shovel and go digging somewhere...flip rotted logs and stones. You're bound to find tiny worms for your little turtle, provided that the ground isn't frozen in your area. The internet is a great resource. You can purchase just about any type of feeder insect in a manner of minutes and have them at your door the next weekday.

Very helpful post - thank-you, Ken.

Bill

Nutritional Analysis for
Red Wigglers
Moisture -84.8%, Protein - 10.5%,
Fat - 2.0%, Ash - 0.7%, Other - 2.0%

Nutritional Analysis for
Waxworms
Moisture - 62.6%, Protein -15.8%,
Fat - 20.4%, Ash - 0.8%, Other - 0.4%

*****

Some manipulation of the numbers the following show percent dry weight.

Red Wigglers Waxworms
64.8% protein 42.2% protein
12.3% fat 42.2% fat

Well, I think I will have to be more patient with my turtle. That's a big difference in fat content. He gives up trying to get a bite out of a worm, and I put in waxworms. Maybe if I don't put in waxworms he will give the "red wiggler" more effort.