Silkworms are a popular type of feeder insect for many reptile pets [1]. So yes, bearded dragons can eat silkworms.
Since the silkworm serves as a pupa before emerging from its cocoon as a moth, it can be challenging to find in stores that carry insects for reptiles.
The silkworm also may not survive in a cold-blooded pet’s stomach, so silkworms are usually fed to pets at room temperature.
What type of food is a silkworm helpful for feeding bearded dragons?
Silkworms are perfect foods for young, growing bearded dragons that are still in the stages of shedding their skin.
The molting process requires additional nutrients to help with growth and development. If your dragon cannot find some other source of protein while it is molting, silkworms are an excellent option.
Both mealworms and silkworms have their benefits and downsides. Mealworms have more protein, while silkworms have more fat.
Silkworms also do not require refrigeration, which makes them easier to feed. Silkworm pupae are only available at insects stores, and mealworm larvae and adult beetles can be purchased online in bulk in comparison.
What are the benefits of feeding silkworms to bearded dragons?
Silkworms are packed with protein, which is necessary for your dragon’s growth.
The nutrition provided by the silkworm is an excellent supplement to your dragon’s regular feeder insects or diet of pellets and vegetables.
Silkworms also provide calcium, which can be hard to come by regularly.
Silkworms are sold at some pet stores or can be purchased online.
Purchasing silkworms might be the only way to regularly feed them to your bearded dragon since many local stores do not carry silkworm pupae for reptiles. Silkworm pupae are also available on the Internet.
Another benefit of silkworms is that they can be stored in a refrigerator for several days.
What are the disadvantages of feeding silkworms to bearded dragons?
As with other insects, there is a chance that your bearded dragon will regurgitate the silkworm after eating it.
It is important to make sure the silkworm is not too large before feeding your bearded dragon. If you feed a worm that is too large, your dragon could choke on it. If possible, purchase silkworms from an insects store.
Silkworms purchased from other sources may have been preserved in chemicals. This can can be deadly to reptiles if fed for a long period.
It is especially important that silkworms are not treated with pesticide or preservative sprays. Indeed, these chemicals can seep into the pet’s bloodstream through the skin when it eats the silkworm.
Summary
Silkworms are usually safe to feed to bearded dragons in small amounts.
Ensure that the silkworm is in size and condition appropriate for your pet’s consumption. Also make sure that it has not been preserved in chemicals before feeding.
Silkworms can be an excellent source of protein for your pet, but keep in mind that they do not have much calcium.
So, feeding your bearded dragon silkworms in addition to its usual feeder insects or pellets is recommended, especially when the dragon is shedding its skin.
My name is Brad and I am the main editor of BeardieZilla.com.
The only goal of this site is quite simply to be able to help you. To help you by the means of my experiment, of the relation which I maintain with my bearded dragon as well as some of my knowledge about beardies.
I hope that you will find answers to some of your most pressing questions here.
Thank you for stopping by and enjoy the blog!
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