this page has been divided and upgraded please follow this link. THE FEEDERS
THE FOLLOWING NUTRITION STATS ARE MEANT AS A GENERAL GUIDE. WHILE SOME SOURCES VERIFY SIMILAR NUMBERS, OTHERS I MAY HAVE FOUND AT ONLY ONE SOURCE.
At the bottom of the page you will find the links to any resources I have used and or found. Some are technical papers that will provide a further understanding of the methods used and MANY more details on vitamins, diets, etc.
****Please note that on many I have posted a/more links to care and feeder sheets. I would prefer to have a developed page in house. If you have written a web, blog, post that is detailed and with photos please contact me. As with all guest pages a link of your preference will be placed at the top of the page. www.capturemymind1@aol.com
****PLEASE NOTE
Differing styles of reporting information:
The first style: Statistics are taken from what is called dry matter, meaning that prior to testing the insect has been freeze dried in a vaccuum oven. The moisture removed during process. You will find many of the following listings have been taken from this type of chart.
C.P. Crude Protein C.F. Crude Fat Ash Ash is the total of all minerals G.E. Gross Energy Kcal also = gross energy C.A. Calcium N/A Not analyzed
A second way of providing stats have been done like this: Moisture % 62.3 Fat % 5.25 Ca:P Ratio % 1.7 Protein % 41.0 Ca:P% = calcium to phosphorous ratio.
A 3rd way of providing stats is done by a gram basis: The use of this style means that the stats relate to human consumption.
Protein (g) 13.4 Fat (g) 1.4 Carbohydrate 2.9 Calcium (mg) 22.6 Iron (mg) 6.0
calcium is expressed in one more way:
as a CPPM value ppm are simply part per million as percent (%) are just part per hundred. So, 1% = 10000ppm. (whispering thanks Cerberus)
For each insect a care and breeding link will be placed in with the specific insect / rodent. Barring the availability of care sheets I will try to pass you forward to as much information as possible.
THE NUTRITION STATS GUIDE
CRICKETS
Info: Crickets are the most common and most abundant reptile food supply available. They are cheap to buy, easy to care for, and easy to find in pet shops and online stores.
Nutritional Value:
C.P. 64.9 C.F. 13.8 Ash 5.7 G.E. 5.34 C.A. .14
Cricket type Moisture Fat Ca:P Ratio Protein Banded Cricket 71.8 6.3 0.64 16.5 Black Field Cricket 66.7 12.0 0.82 15.8 Silent Brown Cricket 68.8 9.3 0.77 16.4 Brown House Cricket 70.7 4.4 0.68 19.8
Slight variations in stats during different life stages.
Size Range: 1/32" to 1" An accepted staple for many reptile pets.
Nutrition Value: Second stat ~ no further detail provided Insect Protein (g) 14.3 Fat (g) 3.3 Carbohydrate (g) 2.2 Calcium (mg) 27.5 Iron 3.0
The crickets, grasshopper and locusts needs seem to be very close in nature...rather than divide into three sections I have included it in one. If you are aware of differences of importance please contact me: capturemymind1@aol.com
THE ROACH FAMILY
info: There are a wide variety of roaches available on the market. (Check your legality of keeping them! In some places/countries like Canada it is not legal to have them.) Pictured above is the Madagascar Hissing Cockroach.
This information is Private information obtained in conjunction with Blaberus.com and cannot be utilized or copied without written permission from the owners of this information. Please contact www.DoubleDs.org or www.Blaberus.com if you wish to utilize this information. Anyone who copies this information without written permission will face penalties by law.
After years of wondering which feeder is more superior? Is it Roaches or Crickets, or maybe even Meal worms? Well Double D's in conjunction with Blaberus.com have finally gotten you the facts you need to answer that question once and for all. So here it is.
This information was compiled by a well known food analysis company in New Jersey. They were asked to conduct a proximate analysis on 5 of the most common feeder insects on the market, 1. B. Laterallis 2. B. Dubia 3. Crickets 4. Meal worms 5. Portentosa = Giant Madagascar Hissing Cockroach SAMPLE MOIST. PROTEIN FAT FIBER ASH B. Laterallis 63.63% 36.5% 5.31% 2.19% 1.95%
For the best results for your reptile, feed the whitest larvae you can find. These have just shed and the chiten is then at its lowest. Size Range: 1/4" to 1"
Info: Butterworms are the larvae of the Chilean Moth (Chilecomadia moorei). They aren't as widely available as some other foods listed. They naturally have a red tint and sweet fragrance to them which often stimulates appetite. Butterworms in the USA cannot be used to breed because when they are imported they are sterilized to prevent possible establishment in the wild.
Warning: There have been a couple of reported cases of butterworms causing harm to geckos. Please note that despite the fact these reports only cover 3 species, it does not in any way mean that they can't cause harm to other species of gecko or reptile. use with caution. The following represents a very isolated case that has not been researched or explained. WARNING: USE CAUTION WITH BUTTERWORMS
BUTTERWORMS RECIEVE RADIATION PRIOR TO RECEIPT INTO THE COUNTRY. THIS ENSURES THEY ARE UNABLE TO BREED AND THEREFORE SAFE FROM INFESTATION. I WON'T BE PROVIDING A BREEDING PAGE.
ALSO BUTTERWORMS ARE NOT FARMED BY WILD CAPTURED.
PHOENIX WORMS
Info: Phoenix Worms are the larvae of the Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia Illucens). Nutritional Value: C.P. 42.1 C.F. 34.8 Ash 14.6 G.E. C.A. 5.36
When feeding phenix worms supplementation for calcium is unneccessary. a great feeder for both gravid and recouperating females. Size Range: usually around 1/2"
Silkworms are very good nutritionally. They are high in moisture and calcium, not too high in fat, and have no tough exoskeleton to worry about. These are an unbeatable source for calcium for gravid females and those having just laid to replentish supplies, or for reptiles showing or diagnosed with MBD.
Info: You want a lean, mean fighting machine, look in this direction. High water content is great for ensuring your reptile remains hydrated. As a feeder for an overweight reptile I have found the earthworm family very useful. Did you know that adding earthworms to your diet on a regular basis will help to avoid gout? Recommended as well for the animals suffering from the condition.
Info: Red worms aren't common in the pet trade. They are normally used for composting and the easiest place to buy them is from places selling composting supplies. Redworms do not survive most terrarium existances. To accomplish this in yours you need to keep a composting corner this will solve the problem.
Info: Goliath worms are the larva of the Five-Spotted Hawkmoth (Manduca quinquemaculata). These are relatively new on the market but are quickly growing in popularity. They are fast growing and will grow to be about 4 inches long. If you let them pupate fully, they turn into a large moth with a 3-4 inch wingspan. Nutritional Value:
Still missing the stats on this one. But in doing this page there is a pattern emerging. Check the other grubs and look to see how close they are. ie. crickets and grasshoppers, 19 differing species of lizard, look at the crustacians that are clustered together. It is by no means a perfect little system but it may help give you an approximation or range.
The majority of Bloodworms or Non-biting Midges are found in the top five centimetres of sediment (sludge at the bottom of streams). Some can live in mud and water with low levels of oxygen. They are an important source of food for larger aquatic insects and fish.
Black worms are small, aquatic relatives of earthworms and are readily available in the pet trade. They should be stored in a refrigerator, where they will live for at least two weeks if the water is changed daily.
Info: Fruit Flies come in 2 species, Drosophila Melanogaster and Drosophila Hydei. they look nearly the same, except the 2nd one is slightly larger but reproduces slower. They are easy to culture and widely available online. However, due to their very small size they aren't good for feeding to anything but very small lizards and dart frogs.
Protein (g) 13.4 Fat (g) 1.4 Carbohydrate 2.9 Calcium (mg) 22.6 Iron (mg) 6.0
Info: Fruit Beetle Grubs are the larvae of the Fruit Beetle, also known as Japanese Beetles and June Bugs. Since they aren't common in the pet trade, the easiest way to get some of these is from places selling live bait for fishing.
Size Range: 1/2" - 2"
WOODLICE ~ CRUSTACIAN
Info: Woodlice are actually crustacians, not insects, and they come in many sizes and species. They are easy to breed and care for and are also beneficial to the soil of planted terrariums since they eat decaying organic matter. Unlike in insects, the exoskeleton of the woodlouse is made of calcium not chitin and the hardness of it depends on the species.
Nutritional Value: Not yet found, see note above, check the other crustacians (just below) section on this one.
Depends on the species. high in calcium Size Range: 1/32" to 1/2"
Our food ranking system qualified shrimp as an excellent source of selenium and unusually low-fat, low-calorie protein--a four ounce serving of shrimp supplies 23.7 grams of protein (that's 47.4% of the daily value for protein) for a mere 112 calories and less than a gram of fat. Shrimp also emerged as a very good source of vitamin D and vitamin B12.
Info: Ants aren't a common reptile food unless you own a horned lizard, which only eats Harvester Ants. If wild ants get in to your enclosure, your reptiles may eat them anyway. However, if you have ant poison around your house then it may be possible for the ant to get in to the poison before getting eaten by your reptile, which could result in a sick or dead reptile.
Info: Somewhat a common food for Dart Frogs, these are easy to breed and care for. Nutritional Value: C.P. C.F. Ash G.E. C.A. unknown Size Range: Larvae are 1/4" Adults are 1/8"
TERMITES
Info: Termites are very uncommon in the pet trade due to the fact that they are very destructive to wood structures. Not much info is known on them yet. they are usually used by dart frog owners. Nutritional Value:
Protein (g) 14,2 Fat (g) N/A Carbohydrate N/A Calcium (mg) N/A Iron (mg) 35.5
Protein (g) 19.8 Fat (g) 8.3 Carbohydrate 2.1 Calcium (mg) 43.5 Iron (mg) 13.6
DUNG BEETLE
Nutritional Value
Protein (g) 17.2 Fat (g) 4.3 Carbohydrate 0.2 Calcium (mg) 30.9 Iron (mg) 7.7
FEEDER FISH
Info: Feeder fish are very common in the pet market and are usually very easy and cheap to care for. They are usually just cheap small goldfish, but can also be minnows or guppies. They are normally used as fishing bait or to feed other fish or turtles. not all reptiles will accept feeder fish, and some will only eat fish. if you need to use feeder fish, it would be good to feed them healthy foods for a bit prior to using them. many times the fish available in petshops aren't very healthy and could be diseased due to over crowding and poor practices regarding breeding them resulting in malnutrition, stunted growth, and suppressed immune systems.
Goldfish should be fed only on a one per month basis and other live fish easily raised are guppies, mollies, swordtails are recommended over the common goldfish. These have been linked to vitamin A overdoses in matamata turtles. While seemingly healthy on a diet heavily or solely invested in Gfish they were dying in the 5 to 7 year age group and found to have high fat deposits and liver and kidney damage. Spring is a great time to check out your local rivers and creeks for hatchlings to feed your pet. As with all feeders moderation and variety are recommended.
Although I have been unable to date to find the exact stats for the Bogong I have found: 100 grams of the abdomin of the moth is comparable in fat to the same ratio of a Big Mac! It also has a very high protein amount. The aboriginals of Australia have been eating this tasty moth for centuries, often roasted the process burns the wings, legs off then the head is removed.
MOLLUSKS
WHOLE VERTEBRATE FOODS
The following listed values may have some fluctuations in both age and diet being fed.
MICE
Info: Mice are the most common food for snakes and large meat eating lizards such as monitors. They are very easy to buy from pet shops and very easy to breed. You can get them living or frozen. Nutritional Value: Neonatal, <3 g Crude Protein: 64.2 Crude Fat: 17.0 Ash: 9.7 Kcal: 4.87
Info: Rats are also a very common food for snakes and large meat eating lizards such as monitors. They are very easy to buy from pet shops and very easy to breed. You can get them living or frozen. They are also much friendlier then mice Nutritional Value: Adult or >50 g Crude protein: 61.8 Crude Fat: 32.6 Ash: 9.8 Kcal: 6.37ª
Info: Guinea Pigs are sometimes fed to large snakes such as boas and pythons. they aren't commonly sold as a food item by pet shops so it will cost a bit more if you want to buy live Guinea Pigs to breed. however, they can often be bought online frozen. Nutritional Value: Males, 10 week Protein: 51.4 Fat: 46.1 ASH: 9.2 KCAL: 6.99ª Size Range: 4" - 12"
Info: Rabbits are often fed to large snakes such as boas and pythons that are 10ft or longer or large crocodilians. They aren't commonly sold as a food item by pet shops so it will cost a bit more if you want to buy live rabbits to breed. however, they can often be bought online frozen.
Info: Chickens usually aren't sold in pet shops, live or frozen. usually you have to get them from farm supply stores, either at the store itself or online. its also possible to get frozen chickens online. usually people only buy adult chickens for very large snakes that are 15ft or longer or for very large crocodilians.
Info: Pigs usually aren't sold in pet shops, live or frozen. usually you have to get them from farm supply stores, either at the store itself or online. its also possible to get frozen pigs online. usually people only buy pigs for snakes that are 20ft or longer or for large crocodilians such as alligators.
The first 4 links will provide you with the technical papers that explain and give many more details on the scope and nature of the testing, detailed analysis of vitamin contents, and more.