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Thread: Hornworms, Silkworms, and Roaches

  1. #1

    Default Hornworms, Silkworms, and Roaches

    Hello,
    My tegu is recovering from calcium deficiency. He is doing quite well and should expect a full recovery. The vet recommended some exotic, calcium-rich feeder bugs that I've never tried before, and I could use some advice.

    http://www.mulberryfarms.com/Live-Hornworms-c51/

    http://www.mulberryfarms.com/Live-Silkworms-c22/

    http://www.mulberryfarms.com/ROACHES-c18/

    Has anyone dealt with hornworms before? So you get them when there's small, they grow, and you need to keep them cold? It sounds complicated, so I need to know what I'm in for. Also they're kind of expensive.
    They didn't specify which kind of roach either.
    Also, do any of these bugs make sound?
    Thanks!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    Northern Nevada
    Posts
    98

    Default

    Google each of them, you can find them cheaper than at mulberry farms - although, then you pay less in shipping =) Silkworms are high in calcium - you don't need to dust them. Hornworms and roaches you will still need to dust. Hornworms grow fastest when they are kept about 80 degrees. If you aren't using them very quickly, you can put them in the fridge for a day, then room temp for a day - to slow down their growth. One 25 ct cup only lasts me 1-2 days since I have 5 different lizards that love them.
    As for roaches, you can use any kind. The nutritional value is very similar throughout the different species. I raise Dubia roaches, they reach a size up to just over 2". Ssra is eating the adult males now - he is 32". They are easy to breed...mine are going crazy - just cleaned my 2 breeding bins and I have probably 10-15k babies...lol

    Using whole prey is good for them since they are utilizing the calcium from the skeletons.

    Hope he is doing great!

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    San Antonio,TX
    Posts
    9,505

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    kaylorin covered everything . I'm glad to hear that your Tegu is recovering well. I have a very small fridge that I keep in my reptile room to put the feeder worms in there who needs to be kept cold.
    Rich is not how much you have, or where you are going, or what you are.Rich is who you have beside you.

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  4. #4

    Default

    Cool - I got some Blaberus Discoid Roaches and a cup of Hornworms (they were out of the Dubias). Couldn't find them cheaper than Mulberry. I don't really know if this food is that sustainable - the order with shipping was about $30. And I DEFINITELY don't wish to breed roaches in my apartment. Just thinking about having to see this kind of bug creeps me out. But as something to help him for now, this is fine. Also, yesterday he ate his first ever non-animal food: Blueburries!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    San Antonio,TX
    Posts
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    Lol. I know what you mean. It took me a while to get used to some things ( like cutting up frozen/thawed chicks lol ). It's amazing what we do when we love something/someone. Congrats on him eating the blueberries. Have you tried some mangoes yet ? Ours love them. We get the small yellow mangoes 3 for $1.
    Rich is not how much you have, or where you are going, or what you are.Rich is who you have beside you.

    Our videos :

    http://www.youtube.com/user/txrepgirl

  6. #6

    Default

    I haven't tried mangos but so far he's been good with grapes, watermelon, and cantaloupe

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    San Antonio,TX
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    9,505

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    I'm glad that he likes a variety of fruits.
    Rich is not how much you have, or where you are going, or what you are.Rich is who you have beside you.

    Our videos :

    http://www.youtube.com/user/txrepgirl

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    San Diego California
    Posts
    121

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    My boy never eats fruit unless I grind it up and put it with his meat haha I have a very picky lizard. Congrats on the blueberries and I'm very glad to hear he is recovering well(:

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