Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a 5 month old panther chameleon. I want to try feeding him superworms but the ones at the local pet store seem too big. I think I remember someone posting on this forum about a company or website selling younger/smaller superworms. If you know one, please let me know.

Thanks!

They're called mealworms. Same as superworms...but they don't reach "super" size. I'm sure some feeder websites sell younger superworms but there's no guarantee of size. Just buy some mealworms.
hope this helps
--cory

Aren't mealworms a totaly different species than superworms? I know you can't refridgerate superworms like you do mealworms, and they move around a lot more. Try emailing some of the feeder suppliers, they can probably tell you if they have smaller ones, but I think they are born pretty big as well. Good luck!
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Sal
Geckos "R" Us

www.geckosrus.com

Yes they are different species..Superworms being Zoophobas mario and mealworms being Tenebrio molitor. But besides specifics, mealworms and superworms aren't much different. Superworms have softer bodies because they are larger but are more active and aggressive as well. Nutrional value and care is basically the same. That's what I meant buy the "same as" superworms. Should have elaborated, but I was in a hurry. I would go with the meal worms and crickets until your cham gets larger. Silk worms are a very nutrional food source as well, it's always good to have a varied diet.
Sorry about the confusion.
--Cory

...but I do have one other thing to point out - their care is not the same. If you refrigerate supers they will die. If you don't refrigerate mealies they will quickly turn into beetles.

lele

>>Yes they are different species..Superworms being Zoophobas mario and mealworms being Tenebrio molitor. But besides specifics, mealworms and superworms aren't much different. Superworms have softer bodies because they are larger but are more active and aggressive as well. Nutrional value and care is basically the same. That's what I meant buy the "same as" superworms. Should have elaborated, but I was in a hurry. I would go with the meal worms and crickets until your cham gets larger. Silk worms are a very nutrional food source as well, it's always good to have a varied diet.
>>Sorry about the confusion.
>>--Cory
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0.1 veiled - Luna
0.2 green anoles Jaida & Jetta
0.1 brown anole - Jamaica
0.2 house geckos - Gaia & Tia
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta

n/p

Hi: I believe I read that in fact the nutritional values were at least slightly different between the two. And that the softer body meant easier digestion so the Supers were a better Staple then the Mealworms. Someone correct me if I remembered the advise wrong. Anyhow, I DID see one site(but I'm afraid I can not remember it now) that differentiated the sizes of Supers they offered. They offered 2" and 1.5" and minus. I am sure it was Supers. So its out there, I just can't remember which one! I'll do a little looking through my bookmarks and report back to you if I find it. I think I'd like to order some myself.
Maggie

Thanks Maggie. I'm feeding crickets and a tiny bit of mealworms. From reading this forum, it seems like most people recommend superworms over mealworms. I'll continue my search for smaller superworms on the Internet and I'll email you if I find it too.

Ken

Hi Ken,

Superworms may be a bit intimidating (and too big) for your 5 month old. Most true superworms are large. The rule of thumb for size is nothing longer than your cham's head is wide. That said, Luna's head is not as wide as supers but she is 10 months old and loves them. I hold them with forceps and make sure she gets it head first.

Silkies would be great. Mealworms are OK but have minimal nutritional value. I have linked below to a recent thread on "worms" in general. In it are some sources for silkies. I would wait on the super's for awhile.

Btw, "jumbo" or "Giant" mealworms are not a good idea as they are that size due to growth hormones and the jury is out on the safety of that on your cham.

lele

>>I have a 5 month old panther chameleon. I want to try feeding him superworms but the ones at the local pet store seem too big. I think I remember someone posting on this forum about a company or website selling younger/smaller superworms. If you know one, please let me know.
>>
>>Thanks!
worm thread

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0.1 veiled - Luna
0.2 green anoles Jaida & Jetta
0.1 brown anole - Jamaica
0.2 house geckos - Gaia & Tia
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta

Lele,

Thanks for the info and link about "worms". Your post was gutloaded with good content.

Am I right in thinking that superworms and mealworms have the same nutritional value because I can gutload them with the same food? It sounds like the main difference is the digestibility of the exoskeleton?

I will wait until my chameleon is bigger before I try superworms. I'm looking into silkworms also but I think I'll have to wait until the local mulberry trees get leaves. I'd rather not have to mess around with silkworm chow.

Ken

n/p