kingworm vs. mealworm
- Thread starter dannigrrl
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sandrachameleon
Chameleon Enthusiast
yes
size primarily.
Kingworms (Superworms) are also higher in fat than mealworms. But they have more "meat" volume than mealworms (making kings more digestable), more capacity for gutload in their guts
size primarily.
Kingworms (Superworms) are also higher in fat than mealworms. But they have more "meat" volume than mealworms (making kings more digestable), more capacity for gutload in their guts
My understanding is a Kingworm is a mealworm with growth hormones. They are lighter yellow without the dark banding that Superworms (Zoophobia) have. Supers are kept at room temperature, refrigerating them kills them, Kings and regular meals can be refrigerated.
Zoophobias are originally from Africa.
Entomologists, correct me if I am wrong!
Nick
Zoophobias are originally from Africa.
Entomologists, correct me if I am wrong!
Nick
sandrachameleon
Chameleon Enthusiast
Well, in my part of Canada kingworms and superworms are different names for the very same thing. The proper name is something like Zophobas morio.
and differently there are
There are mealworms and giant mealworms (with the growth hormones)
you dont want the giant artificially grown mealworm, in my opinion. but the regular mealworm is okay, and the kingworm/superworm is okay.
so wherever you buy from, just clarify the proper name of what is being sold
Digby Rigby
Member
Here
giant mealworms and mealworms are the same species giants are treated with hormones that dont allow them to beome adults so they just keep growing. I forget the exact species name but they are of the genus tenebrio I believe. Both can be refrigerated.
Superworms and king mealworms are of the genus Zophobias spelling might be off. They will die if refrigerated. King mealworm aka kingworm are different names for superworm.
Digby Rigby __________________
giant mealworms and mealworms are the same species giants are treated with hormones that dont allow them to beome adults so they just keep growing. I forget the exact species name but they are of the genus tenebrio I believe. Both can be refrigerated.
Superworms and king mealworms are of the genus Zophobias spelling might be off. They will die if refrigerated. King mealworm aka kingworm are different names for superworm.
Digby Rigby __________________
ZippiesPal
New Member
Zippy likes mealworms better than crickets
Is it bad to give him mealworms, or are they kinda like candy for him. He nearly turns his nose at crickets now. He ate 5 mealworms today, but not a single cricket that I noticed.
The kid at the petstore says that superworms are (or can be) harmful, because they can puncture the stomach of a cham. Basically, the guy said that a superworm can eat its way back out of the animal. That seemed fairly far fetched, but the idea is totally freeking my sweety out. If that could even have the smallest bit of micro validity, Im freeked too!
We would like to give him mealworms on a regular basis, perhaps do our suplimenting with them since he just chomps 'em down so well. How do you gutload a mealworm?
Is it bad to give him mealworms, or are they kinda like candy for him. He nearly turns his nose at crickets now. He ate 5 mealworms today, but not a single cricket that I noticed.
The kid at the petstore says that superworms are (or can be) harmful, because they can puncture the stomach of a cham. Basically, the guy said that a superworm can eat its way back out of the animal. That seemed fairly far fetched, but the idea is totally freeking my sweety out. If that could even have the smallest bit of micro validity, Im freeked too!
We would like to give him mealworms on a regular basis, perhaps do our suplimenting with them since he just chomps 'em down so well. How do you gutload a mealworm?
pssh
Avid Member
Is it bad to give him mealworms, or are they kinda like candy for him. He nearly turns his nose at crickets now. He ate 5 mealworms today, but not a single cricket that I noticed.
The kid at the petstore says that superworms are (or can be) harmful, because they can puncture the stomach of a cham. Basically, the guy said that a superworm can eat its way back out of the animal. That seemed fairly far fetched, but the idea is totally freeking my sweety out. If that could even have the smallest bit of micro validity, Im freeked too!
We would like to give him mealworms on a regular basis, perhaps do our suplimenting with them since he just chomps 'em down so well. How do you gutload a mealworm?
They connot chew through the animal but they have the potential to swing back and bite an eye turret. I use a pair of pliers to crush the mandibles, but many don't with no I'll effects.
Mealworms can impact the chameleon and should only be used once or twice a month max and preferably the freshly molted ones. Mealworms have more chitin in their shells than superworms thus making superworms better.
As for gutloading, I just stick the super worms in a plastic tub and throw in a few leafy greens every couple days. I add a bit of bran or oatmeal once in a blue moon.
sandrachameleon
Chameleon Enthusiast
The best food, in my opinion, is a variety of foods.
Silkworms, various types of roaches, crickets, locust, butterworms, stick insects... the more variety, the less chance of the chameleon getting bored and the more opportunity for different gutloading options.
The only ones Id say you should totally avoid are waxworms and maybe pinkies.
Check this blog entry for a good list of potential feeder options, and information about each:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/74-feeders.html
However, if you are going to use only 2 or three feeders, instead of a nice variety, any of these three combos would suffice:
crickets, silkworms, butterworms
crickets, silkworms, roaches
crickets, silkworms, locust
roaches, silkworms, butterworms
superworms, sillkworms, crickets
roaches, butterworms, crickets
and there are many more possible combos too. basically you want at leastt one that is easily gutloaded with a variety of veggies and fruits, one soft bodied, and one other.
Cainschams
New Member
xanthoman
Avid Member
blaptica dubia
dubia (guyanan orange spotted roach) can be had online from a # of sources (currently illegal to import to florida) http://www.buyroaches.com/ also http://www.aaronpauling.com/ dubia are a great staple and are one of the easier feeders too raise , they consume huge amounts of food so are easy to gutload. the biggest problem with dubia is that they do not move much unless disturbed and if left to free roam in a cage they tend to just hide under the pot or wherever they are able. mealworms are probably the easiest of all feeders to raise, but dont make a good staple, mealworms can be raised communally in one container , superworms have much the same husbandry, but will only breed and metamophasize if housed indivdually. the great thing about both dubia and mealworms is you only have to buy them once. they are both super easy to keep going. superworms are a little more work. i reccomend all keepers have a mealworm colony , not because they are that good of feeders (really not a good frequent feeder) but because they are sooo easy to keep going and a colony requires almost no space or maintenance. you can keep a self perpetuating colony in a container as small as a large margarine tub and they are handy for when other foods are not available. crickets can be a hassle to keep so i only buy them and sometimes they are out, sometimes i over feed from my dubia and there are no appropriately sized dubia available. i dont normally feed mealworms but it is nice to always have something available when my usual feeders are not
dubia (guyanan orange spotted roach) can be had online from a # of sources (currently illegal to import to florida) http://www.buyroaches.com/ also http://www.aaronpauling.com/ dubia are a great staple and are one of the easier feeders too raise , they consume huge amounts of food so are easy to gutload. the biggest problem with dubia is that they do not move much unless disturbed and if left to free roam in a cage they tend to just hide under the pot or wherever they are able. mealworms are probably the easiest of all feeders to raise, but dont make a good staple, mealworms can be raised communally in one container , superworms have much the same husbandry, but will only breed and metamophasize if housed indivdually. the great thing about both dubia and mealworms is you only have to buy them once. they are both super easy to keep going. superworms are a little more work. i reccomend all keepers have a mealworm colony , not because they are that good of feeders (really not a good frequent feeder) but because they are sooo easy to keep going and a colony requires almost no space or maintenance. you can keep a self perpetuating colony in a container as small as a large margarine tub and they are handy for when other foods are not available. crickets can be a hassle to keep so i only buy them and sometimes they are out, sometimes i over feed from my dubia and there are no appropriately sized dubia available. i dont normally feed mealworms but it is nice to always have something available when my usual feeders are not
