Super worms make for an occasional treat for leopard geckos; however, they’re not suitable as an everyday source of nutrition. Their fat content and nutritional density is too low.
Before feeding them to your leopard gecko, be sure to dust them with supplement powder for best results and to help avoid metabolic bone disease and other health complications. This will also protect their immune system.
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They are high in fat
Superworms make delicious snacks for leopard geckos, but should only be given sparingly due to their high content of fat and phosphorus. Superworms are very feisty creatures which may attack when threatened, so before feeding oats, fruits or vegetables are recommended instead as more nutritious solutions.
Chitin content in leopard geckos poses another risk, which can make them sick when exposed. Chitin interferes with their digestive systems which are designed specifically to digest insects.
Superworms also possess a low ratio of calcium to phosphorus, making them less than ideal feeder insects for reptiles. Although closer than crickets and hornworms to reaching this optimal ratio, superworms still fall short of what most reptiles require as food sources; so it should only be fed occasionally as treats; ensure it is gut-loaded with plenty of calcium before offering as a treat to your gecko.
They are high in chitin
Leopard geckos love these fattening feeders and can easily become hooked. However, as they contain so much fat, too many can lead to obesity in your reptile and are better suited for desert environments due to being incapable of withstanding temperatures below 20C (68F).
Superworms contain high concentrations of phosphorus, so for optimal nutrition it is wise to gut load and dust them with calcium prior to feeding them to your reptile. Foods such as oatmeal, sweet potato and carrot are excellent choices for gut-loading a superworm meal.
One of the most frequently asked questions about using superworms is whether they will bite leopard geckos. Thankfully, this should not be a major concern since bites from superworms don’t hurt leopard geckos or cause extensive damage – though feeding tongs should still be used when handling these insects for your own safety.
They are high in protein
Leopard geckos are carnivorous creatures and require a diet rich in protein. Super worms make an excellent addition to their diets and should only be fed sparingly due to their high fat content and hard exoskeletons; otherwise they could lead to weight gain or liver disease in leos.
Super worms are also relatively low in calcium content and boast an unfavorable ratio between phosphorus-to-calcium ratio. Because they should only be given occasionally (once every week or two weeks), we advise pinning down each individual head prior to hand feeding them to your leopard gecko in order to minimize aggression.
Mealworms make an economical and nutritious alternative to super worms, with reduced costs and easier digestibility due to having thinner exoskeletons that require less attention for digestion, lower chitin levels and thinner exoskeletons.
They are low in calcium
Feeding leopard gecko superworms a few times each week as a supplement or treat is acceptable, as these insects provide protein and chitin in abundance. Just ensure that only two to five worms at once are fed to avoid overfeeding and obesity in your pet. Also ensure any uneaten worms from their enclosure immediately in order to prevent their pincers from accidentally injuring the animal while sleeping or resting.
Before feeding them to your leopard gecko, dust superworms with calcium powder. This will allow it to absorb calcium more effectively; an ideal ratio for their diet would be 2:1 calcium to phosphorus ratio so their body can utilize all necessary calcium reserves for healthy growth – particularly important if your gecko is young or sick.
