Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We're wanting to add some variety to Ifrit's diet since he's become an eating machine!!LOL I'm already going to buy him some phoenix(small?) and waxworms today. I've read some different caresheets that say earthworms and red worms are ok...does anyone feed these?? Ifrit is almost 12"..do you think he's big enough to eat them.. or should I cut them up?? and also do they also need to be dusted with repcal?? thanks!

I'd get him large phoenix worms. I've never heard of feeding earthworms or redworms to dragons.

How bug is he? Length/weight? Maybe you could add superworms.

he's 13 1/2 inches(just measured him)...I was going by the red brick that was in his cage..it's about 12 inches..but he's an 1 1/2 longer. as far as weight..not sure...but I can tell he's almost doubled since I've had him. Originally I thought the same as you about the earthworms. My hubby asked me to look it up, so I went to the Beautiful Dragons nutrition site and earthworms are on there...feed occasionally..I googled it and it's on some various caresheets as well. but if you guys don't think it's ok..I won't waste my money..LOL I'll get the large phoenix worms and try some superworms as well. thanks!

I definitely say no to earthworms or redworms. Though you could feed these as a treat very rarely, they can often carry parasites that can infest your dragon.

Also, go easy on waxworms. These are high in fact and should be a rare treat.

Other great insects you can feed your dragon freely as often as you like, are silkworms, hornworms (also called Goliath worms) and various roaches (smaller roaches, or babies for younger dragons but watch for the heavy exoskeletons of some species of roaches). You can order silkworms, hornworms etc from most feeder supply places online for much cheaper (even with shipping) than most pet stores. Reptile expos are great places to stock up on feeders, though some feeder breeders don't bring alot of bugs to shows so its always good to call them ahead if you want to put in a big order.

Silkworms are great as they are easy to keep and breed, so even if your dragon can't eat them all before they coccoon, you can wait till the cocoons hatch and let the moths breed and lay eggs. After the eggs turn dark purple, refrigerate for 2-12 months. At any time during that range, you can take out as many eggs as you want and in 5-15 days they will hatch into tiny black silkworms. Feed the silkworm chow daily till the worms are big enough to feed.

For more info on breeding silkworms, there are tons of articles online and many posts in this forum about it as well as in the feeder forums. Same for breeding roaches, superworms, mealworms, and other feeders.
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PHLdyPayne

I wouldn't go crazy on anything but crickets just yet. Both Phoenix worms and superworms are harder to digest than crickets. Especially the superworms only a few. I usually wait till mine are about 15" and 200 grams.

Any of the caterpillars are fine, hornworms, silkworms, butterworms.

I tried feeding redworms that were purchased from a insect supplier, and the lizards liked them, but maintaining them was a huge hassle. I am breeding superworms (zoophobias) and they are much much easier, and have a long life. Also soil for redworms and earthworms must be moist wich is a hassel and a risk in a enviroment that breeds bacteria like Louisiana.

Superworms live in and eat chicken scratch and oatmeal. I put a peice of cricket keeper and a chunk of apple or potato in every day.

Basically thats it.

Check out the wormman.com to buy he is great has replaced shipments to me twice for feeders fedx left on doorstep. Deffinately the priority shipping is worth it. Buy a thousand of them then mature 10 or 20 to breed. Much easier.

well the only petstore in my town that sells them was out of superworms this weekend, as well as phoenix worms...go figure!half of the time they are out of crickets too...ah well! anyways thanks for all the advice about the worms!! I'll give him a little more time before we go worm crazy...lol ya'll have a good one!

your so much better off getting them shipped anyway. Buy from petstore and you get what 50 for 5$? and more than half of them dead, and the rest in horrible dried out state to boot. Buy from worm man and get 1,000 for like 25$ in great shape and gut loaded, juicy and fresh. Ill never buy them from petstore again.