Silkworm Question?

[carol5208]

I have some silkworms I got and they came in the pod with the food. They are getting big and I know Coastal sikworms where I ordered them from said the food would last about two weeks. My neighbor has a Mulberry Tree I found out. Soo... do you just get the leaves and throw those in for them to eat?I know this is the only food they eat. I plan on ordering more silkworms cause my cham loves them. It will be alot cheaper to buy them and feed them instead of buying the pod. Also is there any type of substrate they live in or just amongst the leaves that they eat. I would appreciate any help on this. thank you!!!! P.S. I know to wash all the leaves and all that stuff!!!! She does not spray her trees with pesticide. One other question? I know you all talk about "gutloading" everything. Would these really be considered that healthy if they are not really gutloaded except on mulberry leaves?

 

[FroggtheCham]

I have some silkworms I got and they came in the pod with the food. They are getting big and I know Coastal sikworms where I ordered them from said the food would last about two weeks. My neighbor has a Mulberry Tree I found out. Soo... do you just get the leaves and throw those in for them to eat?I know this is the only food they eat. I plan on ordering more silkworms cause my cham loves them. It will be alot cheaper to buy them and feed them instead of buying the pod. Also is there any type of substrate they live in or just amongst the leaves that they eat. I would appreciate any help on this. thank you!!!! P.S. I know to wash all the leaves and all that stuff!!!! She does not spray her trees with pesticide. One other question? I know you all talk about "gutloading" everything. Would these really be considered that healthy if they are not really gutloaded except on mulberry leaves?

You can feed mulberry leaves. Make sure you have enough available though before you start to feed leaves, because once you start feeding leaves they generally won't eat the chow. Silkworms eat A LOT!!! You can keep your worms in a plastic bin. I put paper towel on the bottom when they are small. When they are large enough I have a bin made with the bottom cut out and larger screen in to allow for frasse to fall through. Easier to clean. Silkworms are good food, but you should still be giving insects that are able to be gutloaded and contain chitin also. I use crickets, dubia and superworms. Feeding too many silkworms may give your cham diarrhea as well. They are good for hydration and calcium. Hope this helps.

 

[reptileman]

I have found that silkworms make a great secondary food, I use crickets and dubias on a regular basis and have learned that supplying 1 or 2 silkworms every other feeding is great for there hydration and my chams go crazy for them