waxworms as meals? please help

[Jas28]

I posted a little while back about my gecko who hadn't been eating. I separated her from my other gecko and she's been eating, however, I'm worried it's not nutrious for her. The only thing she will ever eat is waxworms..no meal worms, no crickets..just wax worms. I know that this is just supposed to be a treat but I just want to make sure she's eating something. I also give her a little bit of Ensure every now and then to give her some vitamins (thanks for the advice, sleepygecko ). She can eat about 5-6 waxworms at a time.

My question is, are waxworms okay to feed her with if she won't eat anything else? I coat them in calcium and multivitamin powder. If not, any suggestions on what I can do? Thank you in advance for your help.

[PythonWallace]

Wax worms should definitely be a snack. They are really fatty, and don't have a ton of nutritional value. While you should be supplementing with powders, they aren't enough without a varied diet, or at least a gut loaded cricket diet. First make sure your temps and husbandry are correct. If you haven't tried phoenix worms, I would try those. They are soft like wax worms, but they are nutritious and are naturally full of calcium. How old is she? If she's not growing, but munching on a lot of wax worms she might have internal parasites. The first thing I would try would be skipping a couple of days feeding, then offering a few crickets and phoenix worms. If she doesn't eat then, you might want to get a fecal done to check for parasites. Stop feeding waxies and wait a couple of days, then try a couple of various bugs. If your husbandry is correct and that doesn't get her eating right again, see if she has parasites.

[mlededee]

Definitely try phoenix worms and definitely have a fecal done on her. If she likes wax worms she ought to like phoenix worms--and they are perfect as a staple source of food.

[Jas28]

Thanks guys! Where do they sell phoenix worms? None of the local pet stores around here carry them (Petsmart, PetCo), that I know of.

[icygirl]

Phoenix worms usually need to be ordered online. Petco/Petsmart don't carry them; however you might be able to find a local pet store that carries them.

Another great staple insect is silkworms, although they are a bit more expensive since they require special food. They are similar in texture to waxworms but much, much healthier, and can be used as a staple. I have had success ordering from Coastal Silkworms before. The biggest online (silk and phoenix) worm carrier that I know of is Mulberry Farms, so you could try them as well.

Hope this helps!

[mlededee]

I get my phoenix worms direct from the source: http://www.phoenixworm.com. You do have to order in larger numbers from there since they are the supplier but it is cheaper. If you don't want to order in that large of a quantity you can try the links in icygirl's post, I just don't have personal experience with them.

[tncorns]

Hey Jas where are you located. Almost every reptile expo / show I have been to has a bug dealer. That will be cheaper for you. I also feed mine lobster roaches. Seems that my geckos really like these also. I had a colony of roaches shipped to me and its real easy to care for them.

[Jas28]

I live in Florida and am actually planning on going to the reptile show in Tampa next weekend! I definitely look and see if they sell them! I called a local owned pet shop and they said they plan on carrying phoenix worms within a few weeks. I was planning on ordering a supply from the website until they get them, but if I can get them at the expo, that would be even better!

Thanks so much for everyone's help!!