Butterworms

Kirkie · 06-10-2009, 11:34 PM

Has anybody tried Butterworms as a live food for omnivorous tortoises, turtles etc? Did they like them?

I had a trial pack arrive today which I'm going to give the boxies occassionally. Apparently they are very high in Calcium but also quite high protein.

linda · 07-10-2009, 01:27 AM

ive not used these

but you could offer lots of limestone

to load the worm gut with calcium x

Kirkie · 07-10-2009, 11:01 AM

Ahh thats the problem you see, you don't feed them. They are the larvae of a Chilien moth and in the wild they only feed on one species of plant!

You have to keep them dormant, close to hibernation in the fridge. I've seen claims that they are 43% calcium content but I will dust with Nutrobal or Vionate before offering them.

Just wondered how peoples reptiles had taken to them, I've seen a few reports of some lizards refusing them. (Don't think that'll be a factor with my boxies somehow). : )

I think they will go on the occasional expensive delicacy feeding list.

06-10-2009, 11:34 PM	#1
Kirkie Senior Member Adult Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 4,887	Butterworms Has anybody tried Butterworms as a live food for omnivorous tortoises, turtles etc? Did they like them? I had a trial pack arrive today which I'm going to give the boxies occassionally. Apparently they are very high in Calcium but also quite high protein.

07-10-2009, 01:27 AM	#2
linda Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: west midlands Posts: 17,134	ive not used these but you could offer lots of limestone to load the worm gut with calcium x

07-10-2009, 11:01 AM	#3
Kirkie Senior Member Adult Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 4,887	Ahh thats the problem you see, you don't feed them. They are the larvae of a Chilien moth and in the wild they only feed on one species of plant! You have to keep them dormant, close to hibernation in the fridge. I've seen claims that they are 43% calcium content but I will dust with Nutrobal or Vionate before offering them. Just wondered how peoples reptiles had taken to them, I've seen a few reports of some lizards refusing them. (Don't think that'll be a factor with my boxies somehow). : ) I think they will go on the occasional expensive delicacy feeding list.

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