Superworms are the larvae of a type of darkling beetle and are often confused with mealworms. As feeder insects, they are commonly included in the diets of many pet reptiles. However, despite their nutritious profile, superworms do not fully meet the specific dietary needs of bearded dragons. This limitation affects their value in your beardie’s diet and determines how often and how much can be safely fed.
Bearded dragons should only eat superworms moderately. Though they’re rich in protein, superworms can be difficult for beardies to digest in large amounts and are also high in fat which can lead to obesity.
In this article, we’ll talk about how to safely feed superworms to bearded dragons, the benefits and potential dangers they pose to your pet’s health, and tips on how to effectively breed them by yourself.
Are Superworms Good For Bearded Dragons?
Superworms are only good as treats for bearded dragons and as part of a varied diet that includes staple greens and bugs. While similar to mealworms, superworms are often larger and have higher protein and fat content. As a result, overfeeding them to your pet can lead to serious health issues such as impaction, liver problems, and digestive blockages. To further understand this, let’s examine the potential risks of feeding superworms to beardies.
The Problems with Excessively Feeding Superworms to Bearded Dragons
Improper feeding practices can have serious consequences for bearded dragons. Many owners have lost their pets due to seemingly minor mistakes, such as overfeeding treats like superworms.
Impaction
Impaction is the blockage of the digestive tract caused by undigested food and is quite common in bearded dragons. This can result in painful blockages, bloating, and difficulty in excretion, all of which can negatively impact your pet’s health.
Risk of Internal Injuries
Blockages in the digestive tract can lead to internal injuries. The tough outer shell of superworms can cause abrasions in the digestive lining, and in some cases, dragons have tragically died from their impaction or from their injuries.
Fatty Liver Disease
Fatty liver disease is a life-threatening condition in bearded dragons characterized by an excess accumulation of fat in the liver. This condition can cause liver failure, impairing its ability to store vitamins, support metabolic functions, and detoxify the body. Liver disease can lead to sudden death in bearded dragons as symptoms are often misdiagnosed. This is why consulting an exotic vet is often recommended when dealing with reptiles or unique pets like bearded dragons.
Feeding Precautions: How to Safely Feed Superworms to Your Bearded Dragon
To ensure the health and safety of your bearded dragon when feeding superworms, consider the following guidelines:
Limit Feeding Frequency
Offer only 3 to 5 superworms twice a week to your beardie. Due to their high fat and fiber content, overfeeding can lead to metabolic issues, including the risk of impaction.
Gut-Load the Superworms
Before feeding superworms to your bearded dragon, gut-load them with fresh fruits, vegetables, or an organic supplement. Most commercially bred superworms lack sufficient nutritional value, so gut-loading enhances their benefits for your pet.
Dust with Calcium Supplements
Although superworms contain some calcium, it’s not enough to meet your bearded dragon’s needs. Always dust the worms with a reptile-specific calcium supplement powder (view on Amazon) to ensure your pet receives adequate calcium for strong bones.
Feed Adequate Sizes
Superworms should be appropriately sized for your bearded dragon to eat without choking. Worms below five weeks are more suitable for your bearded dragon as they are roughly 1 inch long. After a month, they can grow up to 2 inches long which can cause choking or lead to blockages. So, ensure the grubs are small enough for your pet to stresslessly swallow.
5 Nutritional Benefits of Feeding Superworms to Your Bearded Dragon
When adequately provided, superworms offer several nutritional advantages for your bearded dragon such as the following:
High Protein Content
Bearded dragons require protein to grow from hatchling into adulthood. Superworms contain about 5% more protein than crickets and 10% more than mealworms making them an excellent choice for boosting your pet’s protein intake.
Healthy Fat Source
Fat is essential for your beardie’s reproductive health, energy reserves, growth, and nutrient absorption. Superworms have a fat content that is 10% to 15% higher than that of dubia roaches, making them a valuable treat when fed in moderation. Without adequate fat, your pet may become lethargic and malnourished.
Scrumptious Flavor for Beardies
Superworms are a favorite snack for many bearded dragons as their savory taste can even make them quite addictive, leading your pet to refuse its regular meals. However, use superworms as appetizers to encourage your beardie to eat more greens or as a reward for good behavior.
High in Calcium
Each superworm contains an average of 15 to 20 mg of calcium, an important nutrient for your bearded dragon’s bone health. Regular calcium intake helps prevent metabolic bone disease. To maximize calcium benefits, dust the worms with calcium powder before offering.
Engaging Feeding Experience
Bearded dragons enjoy active prey, and the wiggling motion of superworms stimulates their natural hunting instincts. Providing this type of interaction can enhance your pet’s mood and overall well-being, creating an enriching environment.
7 Beginner-Friendly Steps for Breeding Superworms
Depending on where you live, superworms may be slightly more scarce compared to mealworms. However, a simple and more economical solution is growing them yourself. But first, here are the materials you need:
- Superworms: about 10 to 20 larvae
- A three-step plastic drawer (view on Amazon): the beetles go through four developmental stages requiring different compartments to be bred effectively
- A small hole mesh plastic canvas (view on Amazon)
- Hot glue gun
- A separate container for pupating beetles
- Substrate: oatmeal or bran
- Food and moisture sources: carrots or potatoes
- A suitable spot: around 80°- 85°F or 27°- 29°C
Once you have the tools necessary to farm your superworms, you can then start creating your set-up by following these steps:
1. Label the Compartments
Number the three-part drawer starting from top to bottom and assign the various compartments:
- Drawer 1: Adult beetles
- Drawer 2: Beetle eggs
- Drawer 3: Superworms
2. Replace the Bottom of the First Drawer with the Mesh Canvas
To prevent adult beetles from consuming their eggs or hatchlings, we need a system that allows the eggs to fall safely into the second drawer. Do it like this:
Cut out the bottom section of the first drawer and use the hot glue gun to securely replace the removed bottom with the mesh canvas. Be careful with the glue application to prevent the glue fumes from harming your worms.
This setup enables laid eggs to drop through the mesh into the second drawer, where they can safely hatch into superworms.
3. Arrange the Breeding Environment
Pour the substrate into the three drawers filling each drawer to about 3 inches deep. This provides a suitable temperature and environment for their survival as they tend to burrow.
4. Introduce the Superworms
After unpacking your superworms, quickly place them in the third drawer to acclimate. Cut the vegetables (food source) into thick slices and put them in the drawer with the worms to be fed on.
5. Await Pupation
When the worms have shown signs of pupation, move pupating worms to a separate container to successfully emerge into adult beetles. Superworms pupate after approximately 12 weeks, and after about another week, the pupa transforms into adult beetles.
Here’s what to do:
- Identify the worms that are curling into a C-shape.
- Carefully place the pupating worms into a sterile container; do not include substrate or food.
- Place the container in a dark corner and leave it undisturbed for about a week.
- After this week, check for emerging adult beetles.
6. Transfer New Beetles to the First Drawer
Place the new beetles in their designated compartment (Drawer 1) along with carrots for them to feed on. After the adult beetles have emerged, it will take an extra two weeks for them to reach sexual maturity and reproduce.
Important Note: When you need to check on the adult beetles, carefully open both the adult beetle drawer and the egg drawer below it simultaneously. This prevents any eggs from falling to the ground.
7. Harvest Superworms
The laid eggs will hatch into superworms after a week and begin a new cycle. You can harvest them at any point, preferably under 5 weeks when they’re still 1 to 2 inches in size allowing your beardie to safely eat them.
Are Mealworms Better Than Superworms for Bearded Dragons?
Mealworms and superworms are slightly similar. Superworms have higher fat and protein content compared to mealworms and have softer shells making them easier to digest. This places the superworms above mealworms on the scale since they are more nutritious and easier to for your beardie to metabolize.
