Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was wondering where can I get silkworms? Plus how many would a adult male eat?What about a baby? Are silkworms easy take care of and how hard is it to raise them yourself? Thanks for any help. Steve
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Thanks Steve
Owner of:
1.1.1 Bearded Dragons
1.0.0 Iguana
www.home.wi.rr.com/stevesreptiles

I was wondering where can I get silkworms?
You can get silkworms from Mulberry Farms.They also sell the mulberry leaves you would need.
Plus how many would a adult male eat?
I would reccomend feeding as many as it wants. If I am not mistaken, silkworms are high in fat and should only be used as treats.
What about a baby? I wouldn't feed them to babies.
Are silkworms easy take care of and how hard is it to raise them yourself? They can be easy, but in most places, you can't get mulberry leaves year round, so you have to buy the powdered stuff. Thanks for any help

Mulberry Farms has been very inconsistant lately in returning calls or emails regarding orders. I switched to another company (who also has cheaper prices)
http://silkwormfarm.com
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It's my understanding that silkworms are the best staple for bearded dragons next to crickets if not better. I have given them to my bearded dragons from the time I got them. The youngest being at 1 month old when I got her started soon after I her. I do order from Mullberry farm and have never had a problem with them but I haven't ordered in about 3 weeks. At that time I had gotten 500 eggs and almost all hatched easily. Hope this helps.

Gabby
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1.1 Bearded Dragons-Jessie and "Goldberg"
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For all sizes of dragons! YOu can feed as many of them to a dragon as he/she will eat no matter the size of the dragon. No risk of impact with silkies.

I don't think silkies are high in fight compared to something like a cricket. It is my understanding silkies are more nutritious than crix. I can tell you my beardies love them and are healthy as far as I can tell.
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Rob Talkington

Here is the nutritional info on silkworms and other feeder insects to compare. I have switched to silkies as well and I will never go back to crickets! I haven't had any problems with Mulberry Farms but I haven't ordered in a while either.
Insect Feeder Nutritional table (Iowa State)

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Stacey

Hmmm, maybe I missed something but from that chart it seems crickets are are higher in nutrition than Silkies.

What gives?

I would like to know because I saw some silkies in a store and I was thinking of trying them.
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0.0.2 Bearded Dragons(Ziggy and Stardust)

The crickets are higher in protein but lower in calicum. I also use Rep-Cal pellets on the salads which gives additional protein. I think it is worth it not to have to deal with crickets. Plus slikworms can't bite your beardie, so you don't have to worry about doing the nightly "cricket hunt" LOL!
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Stacey

Ok, fair enough. Also, I agree about dealing with crickets. They suck. I only use canned crickets.
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0.0.2 Bearded Dragons(Ziggy and Stardust)

silkies also have a much better calcium to phosphorous ratio....they really are the perfect feeder all things considered.......
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0.1 Chameleo Calyptratus
1.1 Furcifer Pardalis (Nosy Be)
1.0 Chameleo Melleri
1.0 Ball Python
0.0.1 Golden Tree Frog
0.0.1 Crested Gecko
0.0.1 Bearded Dragon

I think silkworms are awesome. They are pretty easy to care for, they don't stink, they don't hop all over the place, and I don't think I have ever had one die. I breed my own right now, but besides www.mulberryfarms.com, there is also www.silkwormfarm.com. I think the latter of the two has better prices. I still feed my dragons crickets, just not as many, and trust me, they really like the silks! You dust them with calcium and multivitamin powder the same way you do the crickets. I think variety in a dragons diet is probably the best, this is why I still feed some crickets to them, and of course the occasional superworm, waxworm or butterworm. And of course their daily greens and veggies!