Thoughts on Wild Horn Worms

[Pluto_the_Panther]

Got a friend who says he can send me some Hornworms that are on his tomato plant. I know it's bad to feed worms that are eating tomato plants but he said they eat basically everything. Assuming I gut load them with good stuff would they be safe to feed my panther?

 

[Chameleoking]

They should be fine to feed. I would gut load them for a week before feeding. Also make sure your friend does not use fertilizers or pesticides in his yard or the horn worms could kill you cham

 

[Pluto_the_Panther]

They should be fine to feed. I would gut load them for a week before feeding. Also make sure your friend does not use fertilizers or pesticides in his yard or the horn worms could kill you cham

Why would fertilizer be unsafe?

 

[Chameleoking]

The accidental ingestion of fertilizer by your chameleon means that they have eaten a product that can possibly contain harmful substances (herbicides, fungicides, and pesticides) in addition to the compounds (phosphorous, iron, nitrogen) which are toxic when consumed in large amounts

 

[Pluto_the_Panther]

Bump. Want a second opinion. They do not use anything on the plants though.

 

[Chameleoking]

@kinyonga @MissSkittles @Beman. Just wanting more opinions on fertilizer?? From post #3

 

[Chameleoking]

@ERKleRose

 

[kinyonga]

I wish I could give you an answer on this...but I have no idea.
Fertilizers usually contain Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potassium in various ratios depending on whether you want to grow better/bigger leaves or flowers....but that's all I know. I do know that animals eating the fertilizer itself can often be poisoned...but once it's broken down by the plants using it, I doubt if it is. Sorry.

Peri lily I wouldn't use WC hornworms, even if they were fed for a few days in captivity on something other than tomato plants, before feeding them to the chameleon.

 

[Mountain Dragon]

@DonKeesh

 

[Persnickety Parson's]

Wild hornworms are toxic, as they feed on plants that are also toxic.

It's only the captive raised ones that are safe.

 

[Pluto_the_Panther]

Wanted second opinions on the worms themselves

 

[Pluto_the_Panther]

Wild hornworms are toxic, as they feed on plants that are also toxic.

It's only the captive raised ones that are safe.

I’m would get them while they are very small and feed them for a while

 

[Mountain Dragon]

Wanted second opinions on the worms themselves

Persnickety parsons gave you a good one

 

[Persnickety Parson's]

It's your chameleon, not mine.

It's not worth the risk in my opinion, especially since hornworms are so easy to get.

 

[Mountain Dragon]

I’m would get them while they are very small and feed them for a while

I still wouldn’t….. there’s quite a few toxic plants they could of feed on

 

[Mountain Dragon]

I would trust persnickety parsons

 

[Pluto_the_Panther]

It's your chameleon, not mine.

It's not worth the risk in my opinion, especially since hornworms are so easy to get.

Alr. Thx. I won’t risk it then.

 

[Mountain Dragon]

Alr. Thx. I won’t risk it then.

Good choice IMO

 

[Beman]

Personally if it were me I would not risk it. They have been feeding on nightshade plants which are toxic to Chams.

 

[Mountain Dragon]

Alr. Thx. I won’t risk it then.

-deleted double comment