Why is it that mealworms don't seem to cause impaction in leopard geckos, but do cause problems with other reptiles?
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Mealworms and Impaction
z10silver
Aug 08, 2003 07:57 AM
Replies (3)
Lucien
Aug 08, 2003 08:08 AM
I've never heard of mealies causing problems in any reptile that east them. The only thing I've heard, and its completely false, is the theory that mealies will survive in the reptiles stomach and chew their way out... Other than that, I haven't heard anything about impaction happening with mealworms.
Kikai
Aug 08, 2003 11:01 AM
Check the Bearded dragon forum. Lots of horror stories of impaction caused by mealworms...something about being too chitinous...makes me wonder what Bearded Dragons eat in the wild, bug-wise. I have fed mostly crickets, but some mealworms for variety, as well as waxworms with no ill effects. I'm looking into getting a Leo as a next addition. It'll be a while, though. 
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1.1 Ball Python
0.0.1 corn snake
0.0.1 Bearded Dragon
0.0.2 fish
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zrho
Aug 08, 2003 09:19 AM
More often than not, in the case of discussions of 'impaction' usually the culprit is husbandry, and not the food item itself. Animals (not only leos) maintained at incorrect temps, or that are severely dehydrated or stressed may consequently have difficulty with digestion - which may, or may not result in an impaction.
