Reptile & Amphibian Forums

1. Do crickets and mealworms make a difference if either one is the staple food. I would really prefer mealworms as I could breed them myself and I don't absolutely hate them. Which are easier to gut-load, if anyone even knows this answer? Both will be provided as diversity, but I just really dislike handling crickets and would rather have mealworms out number them in my house.

2. If you leave a dish of calcium, is it still necessary to dust the food every 2-3 feedings? If the feeders are gut loaded with fresh foods, can you reduce dusting? When gut loading, must you provide various foods, or could I just use potatoes for example. Can too much calcium have a negative affect?

Well, that's not two questions... but help is appriciated!

Its owners choice on which is more perfered. I say mealworms, They have more meat on them from the start than Crickets. ON THE OTHER HAND, If you feed your Leo's Crickets its whole life, it will increase its speed and movement drastically. So its your choice. I perfer Mealworms, juicy, plump, and no need to hunt.

And about breeding your bugs, if you plan to do that, you would need to get over your fear of crickets. Mealworms have a bettle form known as the "Darkling Bettle" and trust me, its way scarier looking than the cricket. Just by personal experience, I hate holding crickets as well, but I couldnt touch a darkling bettle. But from what I hear, there both pretty harmless and both breedable.

Use carrots as gutloading, if you want all the vitamins and minerals in your leos, Gutload and DUST your mealworms with vitmain powder. =]

Good Luck,

DarkBlades
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Normal - Male - Ninja
High Yellow - Female - Ninjete
Normal - Female - Lizzy
Norm/High Yellow - Male - Ninja II