Phoenix Worm Feeding

cup only.
but, make sure the cup is not wet. They can use water to climb. Think of it like a maggot.
 
Got it , Thanks

I have my doubts my guys will even eat them but I thought I would try. Mulberry farms is out of just about everything except Horn Worms and Phoenix Worms.

I've got crickets and roaches. They just love their worms.
 
Just remember that Phoenix worms have been known to pass right through the digestive system of chameleons without being digested (i.e. whole worms are passed out in the feces). In order to ensure that they are digested, some keepers prick the skin of the worms open with a pin (this has the unfortunate consequence that the grub often dies - so make sure your chams eat 'em while they're still wriggling).
 
Brad Ramsey said:
Phoenix worms are a waste of money.

-Brad
Click to expand...

Oh, man, I just ordered a batch! Coastal makes them out to be wonderful, "Calcium rich! Low in fat! Balanced Ca:p! Loved by reptiles!"

Sigh. :( At least they were on sale, and I ordered a big batch of silkies too, so all is not lost.

Are they just a waste for chams? Would my frogs or my gecko like them, or is it the same deal with all herps trying to digest them? Or am I going to be feeding the wild birds on the deck again? :confused:
 
At least I only spent $5.99. I have Horn worms coming with them so no bother. Looks like mulberry farms will start taking orders for Silkies tomorrow.

Sounds like I got some good bird feeders as well. :p
 
wendysjungle said:
Oh, man, I just ordered a batch! Coastal makes them out to be wonderful, "Calcium rich! Low in fat! Balanced Ca:p! Loved by reptiles!"

Sigh. :( At least they were on sale, and I ordered a big batch of silkies too, so all is not lost.
Click to expand...
All is not lost indeed! Phoenix worms aren't the miracle feeder they are made out to be, but they can still be of use to you.
Keepers are often looking for flying enrichment feeders (like houseflies) to feed to their chams since many chams seem to love flying insects (wouldn't you enjoy shooting them down if you had a tongue like that - like skeet shooting ;)).

Well, the Phoenix worms are actually larvae of the Soldier Fly. If you leave the grubs for long enough they will pupate (go into hard black casings) and eventually emerge as soldier flies. The flies are much slower than your average house fly, so they're much easier to handle.

I just leave the grubs in the little tub they arrive in, and keep that tub open inside another larger container. Eventually the grubs pupate and turn into flies and enter the larger container, where I pick them off and chuck them into the chams' cages.

I have no idea what the nutritional value of these flies is, but they're pretty good as enrichment feeders. Don't be alarmed by the fact that they look like wasps though - they are perfectly harmless and have no stingers.
 
The soldier flies dont have any mouths and live for something like 48 hours. I like to leave a cup of them on the bottom of my cage and punch a hole in the lid and let them zip out one by one. It was good for my cham when i was out of town for 4 days

EDIT: Oops! sorry, didnt realize Tygerr already mentioned that one. :)
 
Last edited:
AndrewH said:
The soldier flies dont have any mouths and live for something like 48 hours. I like to leave a cup of them on the bottom of my cage and punch a hole in the lid and let them zip out one by one. It was good for my cham when i was out of town for 4 days

EDIT: Oops! sorry, didnt realize Tygerr already mentioned that one. :)
Click to expand...

this is interesting, I would love to try that.
So, put the tub (opened) in the jar and leave it alone?
do you mist it once in a while or what?
 
nope, only if the substrate is bare dry, just a few drops every now and then,just make sure the flies are comming out before you leave town! ;)

I have also heard of people setting up their max worm canisters for them to pupate into moths.. same idea, but never tried. Would love to know if someones done this before.
 
Tygerr said:
All is not lost indeed! Phoenix worms aren't the miracle feeder they are made out to be, but they can still be of use to you.
Keepers are often looking for flying enrichment feeders (like houseflies) to feed to their chams since many chams seem to love flying insects (wouldn't you enjoy shooting them down if you had a tongue like that - like skeet shooting ;)).

Well, the Phoenix worms are actually larvae of the Soldier Fly. If you leave the grubs for long enough they will pupate (go into hard black casings) and eventually emerge as soldier flies. The flies are much slower than your average house fly, so they're much easier to handle.

I just leave the grubs in the little tub they arrive in, and keep that tub open inside another larger container. Eventually the grubs pupate and turn into flies and enter the larger container, where I pick them off and chuck them into the chams' cages.

I have no idea what the nutritional value of these flies is, but they're pretty good as enrichment feeders. Don't be alarmed by the fact that they look like wasps though - they are perfectly harmless and have no stingers.
Click to expand...


Thanks, good to know! (and thanks for that wasp-look-alike warning! :eek:) I fed a few of the larvae to my gecko today, who was only semi-interested. I think I'll save the rest and let them turn into flies, Joyce will have a blast! :)
 
Ryan Jarosek said:
At least I only spent $5.99. I have Horn worms coming with them so no bother. Looks like mulberry farms will start taking orders for Silkies tomorrow.

Sounds like I got some good bird feeders as well. :p
Click to expand...

Coastal silkworms has the small silkworms available now. I just ordered a batch, and they arrived in fabulous condition, not a single casualty.
 
I feed them to my younger chams. All of mine chew the hell out of them so I dont prick them. I have never seen any sign of them not being digested. I dont think they are a waste of money. For one it provides that variety we all like to provide. I dont think it is the miracle food but I dont think they are worthless.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

L
Female Veiled Chameleon Rehome - Chicago No Fee
Replies
0
Views
175
LeoNotaLizard
L
kelseymaire
Only Eating worms but not crickets I give her
Replies
2
Views
257
MissSkittles
MissSkittles
8
Hawaii Chameleon Owners (food options)
Replies
6
Views
300
JacksJill
JacksJill
Arabella2424
Worm or parasite HELP!!!!
Replies
3
Views
241
elizaann2
elizaann2
Peppered
At what size should I reduce feedings for a female veiled chameleon?
Replies
9
Views
621
Peppered
Peppered
Back
Top Bottom