Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I recently came across a huge supply of small thread-sized white worms while going thru some leaf litter. I am expecting a trio of sub-adult auratus and was wondering if it was a good idea to attempt to start a culture of these worms for a backup food source. The area I found them in a a pristine wooded area w/o any chance of peticides or chemical exposure. I was curious of the opinions of the members here. Thanks for your time and ny experience you may wish to share. I have kept and bred dendrobatidae and chameleons for years and am just getting back into the herps again but have never attempted to use whioteworms as food. have read about it tho.
Thanks again.

Do you have any idea what they are? I would guess they are the larvae of some kind of beetle or other insect. See if your frogs go for them. I collect "field plankton" a lot during the summer because our ranch is fertilzer and pesticide-free, and the frogs generally love it-- especially aphids and leaf hoppers, as well as the tiny gnats that hover in the air. Just feed a few and see if they eat them up. Or you could also keep some in a covered clear container with some of the leaf mold and soil that surrounds them and see what happens first--what they eventually turn into.
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Patty
Pahsimeroi, Idaho

4 D. auratus blue
5 D. galactonotus pumpkin orange splash back
5 D. imitator
6 D. leucomelas
4 D. pumilio Bastimentos
4 D. fantasticus
4 P. terribilis
4 D. reticulatus
4 D. castaneoticus

Hey,

For starters, "white worms" as I am familiar with them, are just that...White worms. They are very very tiny worms that from start to finish, are worms. They do not morph into any adult form. (Again, the kind that I am familiar with, used for feeding). Cultures are easily kept and maintained much like fruit flies, (as far as the media goes) but don't require any climbing space. I have used white worm cultures in feeding fish fry. The fry seem to be the only things small enough to recognize the worms as a source of food. I know I sound repetitive, but the worms I am speaking of are so small, that a group the size of a pin head would contain dozens. If these are the worms that you have come across, then I do not see how they could be a food source for even the smallest of froglets. Possibly you have come across some other species of worm,...that is white. Who knows? But I say, try em' and eat em'. (at least let the frogs do that).
Good luck,

Nick

Thanks to you both for your replies. These are actually small white worms about the diameter of fine thread and about 1/4 to 1/2" long. I don't want to risk any chance of it being some sort of parasite so I think I will leave them where they are. I will stick with crix and F.F.'s. Thanks again.

Shawn

I agree that what you have is almost surely white worms or grindal worms. I used to culture them for tropical fish (although they are more the size of what you are describing rather than the several on a pinhead description someone else mentioned--that sounds more like microworms to me), and I occasionally see them pop up in my terraria.

The frogs will eat them, and they should be a good protein source. We used to culture them in a moist peat or potting soil mix in a styrofoam container and feed them by placing a piece of milk soaked bread or sprinkling of dry pablum (baby food) on the surface. They like to be kept cool (lower 60's to upper 50's in degrees F) for optimum production, and we always had difficulties with springtails taking over the cultures and outcompeting the whiteworms.

I have seen my tincs eat the whiteworms, but I would not use these as a staple, more as a treat every now and again, as they are very fattening.

All the best,

Homer
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Purveyor of Trivialities and Fine Nonsense

I defer to Homer. I wouldn't worry about them carrying parasites that might affect your dart frogs-- It would be very unlikely. If they do get taken over by springtails, springtails are good food, too. So you aren't going to lose by trying them out.
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Patty
Pahsimeroi, Idaho

4 D. auratus blue
5 D. galactonotus pumpkin orange splash back
5 D. imitator
6 D. leucomelas
4 D. pumilio Bastimentos
4 D. fantasticus
4 P. terribilis
4 D. reticulatus
4 D. castaneoticus