Reptiles Live Nutrition
Many reptiles rely on a live diet to sustain their nutritional needs for the majority, if not all, of their lives. Feeders such as crickets, and Dubia roaches are a staple in many daily reptile diets. Super worms, Wax Worms, Meal Worms, and other insects can be supplemented to provide a variety of different nutritional content and also provide a varying spectrum of enrichment.
Crickets
Sizes vary from pinheads to large pre-wings. Great staple feeder for all reptiles, provides nutrients and water. Promotes exercise and enrichment by allowing reptiles to seek and hunt and practice natural habits. Should be offered daily about a dozen+ depending appetite and age of reptile.
Dubia Roaches
Sizes vary from small- large (approx. 1/4”- 1”) Can be used as a staple feeder, provides nutrients, water and also has a higher lean protein content. Promotes exercise and enrichment by allowing reptiles to seek and hunt and practice natural habits. They do not exude a foul pungent smell like crickets so they’re easier to house in large amounts. They are not an invasive species like Cockroaches. Should be offered daily if being used a staple diet approx. 6-12 depending on appetite and age of reptile.
Fruit Flies
wingless/flightless fruit flies are perfect for tiny frog species like dart frogs or perfect for new hatchlings. Breed quickly and are easy to maintain. Should be offered daily about a 6-dozen+ depending on appetite and age of reptile.
Super Worms
High in protein they are a perfect treat to spruce up any reptile’s appetite. Should be fed sparingly about 6-12 depending on age and appetite of reptile. Recommended for sub-adult to full adult reptiles due to their size. They are very high in protein so overfeeding is very easy and could add unwanted weight on reptiles which long term could be health concerning so should only be fed as a supplemental treat about once a week.
Wax Worms
Great supplemental treat for sub-adult to full adult reptiles. High in fat so it is only recommended you feed about 6-12 at a time depending on appetite and size of reptile. Great treat for growing reptiles to help aid any underweight issues. Also great lure for fishing! (Recommended to be kept in the refrigerator to slow down natural life cycle transformation from larvae to beetle.)
Meal Worms
Similar in appearance to superworms but smaller in size. Great supplemental treat for sub-adult to full adult reptiles. Also, a good choice if you are trying to bring up the weight of a young reptile. High in fat but does not provide much protein or nutritional value so it is recommended they comprise no more than about 10% of a reptiles diet. Recommended to be fed in small quantities so about 6-12 depending on age, size and appetite of the individual reptile. (Recommended to be kept in the refrigerator to slow down natural life cycle transformation from larvae to beetle.)
Horn Worms
Great for finicky eaters since their vibrant colors stimulate natural feeding response from most reptiles. High in calcium and low in fat so can be used as a staple diet. You can feed anywhere between 3-6 depending on reptiles’ size, age and depending on size of worm. Unfortunately, they have a very short life span so we only carry upon special request.
Frozen Feeder Rodents
Sizes vary from tiny neonatal “pinkies” which can be between ½”- 1” /neonatal “rat pinkies” or “rat pups” (1”-1 ½ “). Sizes progress to juvenile and then on to adult size which can vary from the size of a half dollar to the size of a small baseball with both mice and rats. Feeder rodents are primarily for snakes and other large predatory lizards and amphibians. Rats are higher in fat and protein so size of rodent and type is dependent on size of the reptile. We recommend you pick rodent based on the largest part of a snakes body. Sub-adults/ Juveniles are usually transitioned into rats to help with weight gain especially during breeding periods. Snakes should be fed once a week or on a bi-weekly feeding schedule. Keep frozen till feeding time, thaw out completely and warm up till body temperature reaches 96 degrees another good indicator is if the stomach is warm and squishy to the touch.
