Post subject: Superworm Breeding Posted: Mar 26, 2008 - 03:28 PM
Ok so I am considering breeding my own superworms... simply because my Tegu loves them and he eats so many daily that going to the store that often gets annoying. However I have a question to ask for anyone who breeds their own superworms. I have this ridiculous fear of roaches as feeders. I bought a colony of 100 to try breeding them because my leopard geckos at the time LOVED them, and just the fact that they would crawl all over my arms every time I put my hand in to catch one or two just creeped my out beyond belief. I wanted to know if the superworm beetles are the same way, or if they are more like crickets who would rather stay stuck to egg cartons than climb up arms. Also, are they good climbers? Like will I need bug boundary? I am going to the Hamburg reptile show this weekend and I want to decide whether or not to breed them by then so I can pick up a nice sized colony at the show. Thanks for the info!
And any additional information will be extremely helpful! Thanks guys!
Post subject: RE: Superworm Breeding Posted: Mar 27, 2008 - 12:56 AM
Hmm . . . super beetles
They are rather large, and have long crawly legs. They aren't quick to climb onto you, but when they climb on, they seem to kind of stick, and be difficult to knock off.
I'm fine with crickets, and mealworms, and mealie beetles. I'm sort of fine with superworms. I deal with super beetles. Super beetles are big, black crawly things with long legs, and grabbing feet. If your container for them is made of hard plastic or glass, I don't think you'll have to worry about them getting out. Their feet only grab onto things that are rough. When they are disturbed, they let off a bad smell as a defense. I really don't like super beetles, but I deal with them.
Not having had roaches, I can't tell you how they compare.
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Post subject: RE: Superworm Breeding Posted: Mar 27, 2008 - 11:12 AM
Ah ok, well I mean the problem I had with roaches is they would climb really fast up my arm, and if they got out, they were really fast on the ground. Something about the way they feel just freaked me out, and about 3 months after I had fed off my colony, I still found roaches running around my room. I guess I'll have to think about it... maybe its just better to buy them at the pet store.
Post subject: RE: Superworm Breeding Posted: Mar 27, 2008 - 08:28 PM
They're really not that fast - very much like a mealworm beetle only larger. I don't like (and won't touch) a lot of the weird shiny black beetles I find outside because they move fast and usually have larger jaws, but the superworm beetles are pretty much harmless looking (and rather dopey too).
Funny story - Several months ago my younger cat, then kitten, came up to me very excited about what he had in his mouth. I thought he just had a toy and not paying much attention, held out my hand for him to drop it in.... he dropped a superworm beetle, still very much alive, in my hand. I have no idea how it got out, maybe it hitched a ride when I lifted something else out of the tub.