Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am getting back into the beardies after a little and was wondering about phoenix worms. They look like a good staple. I need some ideas on live foods. I don't like crickets too much and would like to substitute them out. Can this be done while keepeing my Beardies healthy, and if so what live foods do you suggest? Thanks Ed

I hear Phoenix worms are the best feeder insects you can feed to the lizards. They are naturally very high in calcium and have good calcium to phosphorous ratio of 2:1. There is no need to supplement them with calcium if you are feeding this. I would supplement them only when feeding them veggies and greens, though. Allen Repashy is using phoenix worms to feed his gecko and he said they are excellent foods for the crested geckos and other Rhacodactylus species. The animals seems to enjoy the taste of them, and they require zero maintanance.

The downside is they are just too small and expensive to be a good staple. You could try Hornworms, silkworms, roaches and superworms.

So I can stop feeding them crickets, and sub all those worms instead?

I don't think it's a good idea until he/she is an adult. Crickets and Roaches can be nutritiously gutloaded when no worm really can. Silks and Hornworms only eat their own food, and supers eat primarily bran. A good grain gutload, greens, some fruit make a good meal for roaches and crickets. Much of an insects nutrition is in the contents of their stomach.