how to tell if wax worms are healthy?

[spinachlove]

i recently bought a 50 count of wax worms from a reptile store and i noticed that some of them have darker coloration in different parts of their body.

does this mean that they are dying or are unhealthy? and if so, should i keep from feeding them to my fischer chameleon?

 

[Vampire.queen]

What did they feed them with in the shop, don't you know?

 

[spinachlove]

What did they feed them with in the shop, don't you know?

no i'm not sure what they fed them with..i guess i should ask from now on? and also i guess to be safe, i won't feed my cham the wax worms that have some of the dark colorings.

i've been gut loading the wax worms with honey cereal cos i read on another place that's what is good for them.

 

[xanthoman]

if they are alive and wiggling (crawling) and they have come from healthy (not moldy slimey or smelly) medium, they are ok to feed, if they are dark and shriveled up they are dead and should be removed and not fed, there is nothing wrong with the darker ones, they are just getting ready to pupate (turn into moths) waxworms are high in fat and should only be fed in moderation, (a couple of waxworms a week is a lot, maybe too much) but they are great (in moderation) for chams that have been on a hunger strike or are otherwise undernourished. many commercially raised waxworms have been raised using wax as a food, i have never heared that this is bad, but i cannot believe it is good to feed your chams,so if you are going to feed waxworms , i would suggest you raise your own. waxworms are one of the easier feeders to keep going, and wax is not required.- like most feeders, there are videos on youtube showing how to raise them, if you are interested in raising them, or just knowing how, this video is one of the best http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXI7uVPZRTE /there are many other waxworm videos, most make it harder than it needs to be

 

[spinachlove]

wow xanthoman! such an informative post..had no idea they were darker cos they're getting ready to pupate. thanks a bunch!! i'll keep from feeding him so many waxworms from now on!