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Nutritional Value/Composition of Livefood (Invertebrates)
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Ca:P Ratio and Reptiles Many have heard about the Ca/P ratio but not many understand what it means to your reptiles. The Ca:P ratio is simply the ratio of Calcium compared to Phosphorus and so a Ca:P ratio of 1 (one or 1:1) would mean that Calcium & Phosphorus are found in equal quantities, a Ca:P ratio of 0.5 (half or 0.5:1) means that there is half the amount of Calcium than there is Phosphorus. An ideal Ca:P ratio would be around 2 (two or 2:1) as this will allow calcium to be easily absorbed.
So why is this important? It has to do with the way Calcium is absorbed by your reptile's intestine. For any calcium to be absorbed, there needs to be at least equal quantities of Calcium and Phosphorus in their food. If the Phosphorus is much higher, then not only will it prevent calcium being absorbed, but may even leach calcium that is already present in your reptile's body. This can lead to serious problems such as MBD (Metabolic Bone Disease). When Calcium and Phosphorus are dissolved in equal quantities, it forms an insoluble salt (Calcium Phosphate) which is very difficult to absorb by your reptile's intestine. If there is a large amount of phosphorus compared to the calcium, then all the calcium will be bound by the phosphorus and none will be available for your reptile. If there is a large excess of calcium, then no phosphorus can be absorbed, which is also a vital mineral but not needed in as large a quantity as calcium. Ideally the Ca/P ratio for most vertebrates is around 2 (also written as 2:1).
As you can see by the charts below, the Ca:P ratio of most livefood is quite poor which highlights the importance of using additional calcium supplements.
The exception appears to be Locusts which seem to have a much higher Ca:P ratio than other forms of livefood, though we can only find one set of data for them (referenced below) which was originally from Japanese koi breeder statistics. Because it is so unusually high, we would like to find another source of data before deciding whether or not this figure is accurate, so it would still be wise to supplement locusts.
Fat vs Protein Another thing to look out for is the amount of fat compared to protein. Fat contains twice as many calories as protein, but doesn't provide any of the nutritional benefits that are gained from proteins from their amino acids which are essential for the health of any living creature. The calories from fat are often called "empty calories" in dietary terminology. Most insectivorous reptiles will receive greater benefit from a high protein/low fat diet.
Silkworms
Silkworms are widely accepted as being the best livefood for reptiles. They are high in protein, low in fat, (half as much fat as there is protein) have a very good Ca:P ratio compared to any other feeder insect, and their soft bodies do not cause any digestive problems as you may get with mealworms. Silkworms also contain an enzyme known as Serrapeptase which is often used as a supplement because to its many therapeutic properties.
Silkworms
Dry Mass Protein Fat Ca:P ratio kcal/g
53%^^ 26%^^
30-35%a 48%^^^ 27%^^^ 0.83:1"" 6.74^^^
63.8%" 10.6%" 0.8:1"
High in Protein and relatively low in fat. Best Ca:P ratio out of all livefood listed.
Brown House Crickets
Brown House Crickets are one of the most popular feeders in the UK. They are relatively high in protein and low in fat, however, their Ca:P ratio is quite poor and so additional calcium supplements are required.
Brown Crickets
Dry Mass Protein Fat Ca:P ratio kcal/g 29.3%* 19.8%* 4.4%* 0.68:1*
31%^ 64.9%^ 13.8%^ 0.14:1^ 5.34^
High in Protein and very low in fat though very poor Ca:P ratio.
Black Crickets
High in fat (only a quarter less fat than protein).. Not a recommended staple for most reptiles.
Black Crickets
Dry Mass Protein Fat Ca:P ratio kcal/g 33.3%* 15.8%* 12.0%* 0.82:1*
Protein and fat nearly equal so fat is relatively high. Better Ca:P ratio than brown crickets though more data is needed.
Locusts
Not much data on Locusts is available. The Ca:P ratio reported for locusts is questionably high so we have reason to doubt these figures though locusts are considered to be one of the best feeder insects available in the UK.
Locusts
Dry Mass Protein Fat Ca:P ratio kcal/g 37.7%* 40.0%* 5.25%* 1.7:1*
High in Protein and very low in fat. Ca:P ratio shown is suspicously high so more data is needed.
Mealworms
Mealworms are high in fat (approx a third less fat than protein) and their tough shells can be hard to digest. Not a recommended staple for most reptiles.
Mealworms
Dry Mass Protein Fat Ca:P ratio kcal/g 37%** 19%** 14%** 0.039:1****
37.56%*** 20.27%*** 12.72%*** 0.097:1^ 6.49****
37.6%^ 52.7%^ 32.8%^
Protein and fat nearly equal so fat is relatively high. Very poor Ca:P ratio and also high in chiton.
Wax Worms
Wax worms are very high in fat (more fat than protein), and notoriously addictive. Not a recommended staple for most reptiles.
Wax Worms
Dry Mass Protein Fat Ca:P ratio kcal/g 38.27%*** 15.5%*** 22.19%*** 0.131:1***
34.1%^ 42.4%^ 46.4%^ 0.17:1^ 7.06*
Very high in fat. Very poor Ca:P ratio.
sources:
* - http://bamboozoo.weebly.com/the-feeders1.html
** - http://chamownersweb.net/insects/nutritional_values.htm- LA Productions
*** - http://www.grubco.com/Nutritional_Information.cfm
**** - http://www.phish3r.com/feederinfo2.htm
^ - http://nagonline.net/Technical%20Papers/NAGFS00397Insects-JONIFEB24,2002MODIFIED.pdf
^^ - http://shop.naturesgrub.co.uk/epages/es114020.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/es114020_shop/Categories/%22Silkworm%20Pupae%22
^^^ - "Complete nutrient composition of commercially raised invertebrates used as food for insectivores" by Mark D. Finke
^^^^ -http://www.grubco.com/Nutritional_Information.cfm
" - http://www.the-lizard-lounge.com/content/insects/silkworm-care.asp
"" - http://www.loveablepocketpets.com/diet.htm
a - http://nopr.niscair.res.in/bitstream/123456789/9477/1/NPR%203(6)%20439-439.pdf
So why is this important? It has to do with the way Calcium is absorbed by your reptile's intestine. For any calcium to be absorbed, there needs to be at least equal quantities of Calcium and Phosphorus in their food. If the Phosphorus is much higher, then not only will it prevent calcium being absorbed, but may even leach calcium that is already present in your reptile's body. This can lead to serious problems such as MBD (Metabolic Bone Disease). When Calcium and Phosphorus are dissolved in equal quantities, it forms an insoluble salt (Calcium Phosphate) which is very difficult to absorb by your reptile's intestine. If there is a large amount of phosphorus compared to the calcium, then all the calcium will be bound by the phosphorus and none will be available for your reptile. If there is a large excess of calcium, then no phosphorus can be absorbed, which is also a vital mineral but not needed in as large a quantity as calcium. Ideally the Ca/P ratio for most vertebrates is around 2 (also written as 2:1).
As you can see by the charts below, the Ca:P ratio of most livefood is quite poor which highlights the importance of using additional calcium supplements.
The exception appears to be Locusts which seem to have a much higher Ca:P ratio than other forms of livefood, though we can only find one set of data for them (referenced below) which was originally from Japanese koi breeder statistics. Because it is so unusually high, we would like to find another source of data before deciding whether or not this figure is accurate, so it would still be wise to supplement locusts.
Fat vs Protein Another thing to look out for is the amount of fat compared to protein. Fat contains twice as many calories as protein, but doesn't provide any of the nutritional benefits that are gained from proteins from their amino acids which are essential for the health of any living creature. The calories from fat are often called "empty calories" in dietary terminology. Most insectivorous reptiles will receive greater benefit from a high protein/low fat diet.
Silkworms
Silkworms are widely accepted as being the best livefood for reptiles. They are high in protein, low in fat, (half as much fat as there is protein) have a very good Ca:P ratio compared to any other feeder insect, and their soft bodies do not cause any digestive problems as you may get with mealworms. Silkworms also contain an enzyme known as Serrapeptase which is often used as a supplement because to its many therapeutic properties.
Silkworms
Dry Mass Protein Fat Ca:P ratio kcal/g
53%^^ 26%^^
30-35%a 48%^^^ 27%^^^ 0.83:1"" 6.74^^^
63.8%" 10.6%" 0.8:1"
High in Protein and relatively low in fat. Best Ca:P ratio out of all livefood listed.
Brown House Crickets
Brown House Crickets are one of the most popular feeders in the UK. They are relatively high in protein and low in fat, however, their Ca:P ratio is quite poor and so additional calcium supplements are required.
Brown Crickets
Dry Mass Protein Fat Ca:P ratio kcal/g 29.3%* 19.8%* 4.4%* 0.68:1*
31%^ 64.9%^ 13.8%^ 0.14:1^ 5.34^
High in Protein and very low in fat though very poor Ca:P ratio.
Black Crickets
High in fat (only a quarter less fat than protein).. Not a recommended staple for most reptiles.
Black Crickets
Dry Mass Protein Fat Ca:P ratio kcal/g 33.3%* 15.8%* 12.0%* 0.82:1*
Protein and fat nearly equal so fat is relatively high. Better Ca:P ratio than brown crickets though more data is needed.
Locusts
Not much data on Locusts is available. The Ca:P ratio reported for locusts is questionably high so we have reason to doubt these figures though locusts are considered to be one of the best feeder insects available in the UK.
Locusts
Dry Mass Protein Fat Ca:P ratio kcal/g 37.7%* 40.0%* 5.25%* 1.7:1*
High in Protein and very low in fat. Ca:P ratio shown is suspicously high so more data is needed.
Mealworms
Mealworms are high in fat (approx a third less fat than protein) and their tough shells can be hard to digest. Not a recommended staple for most reptiles.
Mealworms
Dry Mass Protein Fat Ca:P ratio kcal/g 37%** 19%** 14%** 0.039:1****
37.56%*** 20.27%*** 12.72%*** 0.097:1^ 6.49****
37.6%^ 52.7%^ 32.8%^
Protein and fat nearly equal so fat is relatively high. Very poor Ca:P ratio and also high in chiton.
Wax Worms
Wax worms are very high in fat (more fat than protein), and notoriously addictive. Not a recommended staple for most reptiles.
Wax Worms
Dry Mass Protein Fat Ca:P ratio kcal/g 38.27%*** 15.5%*** 22.19%*** 0.131:1***
34.1%^ 42.4%^ 46.4%^ 0.17:1^ 7.06*
Very high in fat. Very poor Ca:P ratio.
sources:
* - http://bamboozoo.weebly.com/the-feeders1.html
** - http://chamownersweb.net/insects/nutritional_values.htm- LA Productions
*** - http://www.grubco.com/Nutritional_Information.cfm
**** - http://www.phish3r.com/feederinfo2.htm
^ - http://nagonline.net/Technical%20Papers/NAGFS00397Insects-JONIFEB24,2002MODIFIED.pdf
^^ - http://shop.naturesgrub.co.uk/epages/es114020.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/es114020_shop/Categories/%22Silkworm%20Pupae%22
^^^ - "Complete nutrient composition of commercially raised invertebrates used as food for insectivores" by Mark D. Finke
^^^^ -http://www.grubco.com/Nutritional_Information.cfm
" - http://www.the-lizard-lounge.com/content/insects/silkworm-care.asp
"" - http://www.loveablepocketpets.com/diet.htm
a - http://nopr.niscair.res.in/bitstream/123456789/9477/1/NPR%203(6)%20439-439.pdf
