The benefits of feeding silkworms to your reptile pets

Silkworms provide a unique benefit to reptile and amphibian keepers: they offer a healthy diet for your insect-eating pets. Silkworms have long been used in the reptile business in the US and Europe. In Australia, however, silkworm trade limitations, a scarcity of commercial accessibility, and the lack of year-round availability of mulberry trees have kept silkworms from being a regularly utilised feeder. Still, silkworm chow, a mulberry-based feeding, allows maintaining silkworms year-round practicable, and silkworms are beginning to become a readily available food source.

“Silkworms are naturally the healthiest insects available for reptiles and many other pets. They’re easy to care for and can survive for longer than a month without feeding or until they start spinning their cocoons. Aside from that, silkworms are very low-maintenance, needing simply a dry atmosphere to thrive,” says reptile pet lover and premium toy distributor Oscar Goodrem of Teddy Bear Toys. 

With that in mind, here’s how silkworms stack up against other feeder insects and what your pet reptile can get from silkworms

You’ll Get Consistent Nutritional Quality For Your Reptile Pets

Silkworms are selective feeders that will only consume mulberry leaves or commercially prepared equivalents. This implies that, unlike feeders with more minor dietary requirements, their nutritional composition is generally predictable, and you won’t be getting feeders that have been grown on trash.

Silkworms Are Easier To Feed Your Reptile Pets

Unlike most insects, silkworms can’t leap, run away, or hide. They move slowly and can be easily caught by your reptile pets. Moreover, silkworms cannot bite or injure your reptile pets because they don’t have sharp jaws or legs. On top of that, silkworms don’t need any particular containers or water to live. There are no distracting noises or odours.

Silkworms Provide Nutritional Variety

Silkworms digest nutrients differently than other insects, so they’re more likely to have a balanced diet if you include them in your reptile’s diet. This is particularly critical for obligate insectivores.

Silkworms Are Rich In Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Linolenic acid, a polyunsaturated fatty acid, is found in silkworms in large quantities. In humans, these fatty acids have been proven to have potential health benefits, and frequent consumption may assist in preventing heart attacks, strokes, cancer, and inflammatory illness. Reptiles are expected to have comparable effects.

Silkworms Are Low In Fat And Protein

Silkworms don’t have much fat or protein, which means that each worm has a low number of calories. Using them as feeders can help in the weight loss of obese reptiles. More importantly,  rickets and other insects die quickly, but silkworms are more resilient and live much longer.

Silkworms Provide Sensory Enrichment Value

Silkworms have a unique taste and texture compared to other feeders. Turtles and lizards have taste receptors and consume various foods, so they’re likely to welcome anything new in their diet.

Treat Your Reptile Pets With Some Silkworms Today!

If you’re looking for some nutritious and benefit-packed treats for your reptile pets, silkworms are the best way to go. Note, however, that aside from providing your reptile pet with better-balanced nutrition, adopting a range of feeders prevents your pet from getting “addicted” to one kind of feeder and refusing to eat from others. Pet reptiles are more willing to try new diets when they are introduced to a range of them. They’re also more likely to enjoy meals and be less prone to get bored and quit eating for no discernable reason.

Everything Silkworms—Australia’s most trusted silkworm supplier is your reliable partner for all your silkworm needs. Contact us if you need silkworms for your reptile pets or if you have any inquiries.