Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i've been feeding my little guy crickets which he loves... but they stink like mad.. anyone have containment suggestions or what could take their place?

I know exactly what you’re saying about the crickets I can't stand them. If they're not stinking they're chirping and always dieing by the scores. I never kept any when I raised my tegus. I think I feed them crickets only once. Insects are important to growing tegus though because they're a good protein source. I fed my tegus mostly superworms when they were young. They don't stink, make any noise, they last months, and dead ones are quickly eaten by the other worms.

oh that's such a relief to hear, i've been buying them every few days because too many is too hard to keep, and too few run out too quickly, and opening the container *phew*..

but thanks for the info on superworms, any suggestions on a good source to get them from?

I like www.reptilefood.com and have been using them for a while now with very few problems.

Nice site, that's cheaper then where I used to get mine : ) I see they're listed under Zophobas Worms there. I cared for mine different then what they suggest. I tried using oatmeal as a substrate once but then you have to dig for the worms. Instead I just put some of those egg cartons/crate things in the container with them and fed them mostly romaine lettuce. That way I could just reach in and grab a handful of worms for the tegus. The worms lasted for months this way too.

I used to get mine from http://www.ebugco.com/order.htm without any problems. Don't be afraid to buy in bulk; I've had mine last at least 3 months. I fed them mostly romaine lettuce.

do super worms bite? and is the urban legend true tht they can eat thru the lizards stomach? also is it a good permanent diet.

Yeah they can bite but it doesn't hurt. No, of course they can't eat thru the lizards stomach. If you look on Berts site (http://www.agamainternational.com/faq.shtml#q03) he addresses that very question. I wouldn't call them a good permanent diet because the tegus will out grown them. It's for the short period that they're small enough too see them as a food source and the high protein is for that rapid growth period when they're babies. When they're adults you'll want to feed them bigger pieces of food like large mice/rats. Try to feed them a good variety including fruit. Superworms then mice would be a good plan for the majority of their diet.

thanks for all that great info! instead of superworms i bought a few wax worms today to see if he likes them and he sure does, ate them before i could even put them down in the tank!

i'll try and have a picture up soon

Dont feed your lizard wax worms when there small. both my water dragons died by choking on them. they were almost a foot long too. when one died. i looked in it mouth, and saw something in its mouth since it was dead i took tweezers to see what it was i pulled out 3 wax worms. they were flat, the juices had been sucked right out of em. they were piled up in her throat. the other died for i think the same reasons. so i wont ever feed wax worms to a lizard agian. but i might just of had bad luck.