Waxworm Care Sheet
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Scientific Name:
Galleria mellonella (Wax Moth; larval stage) |
| Lizards
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Description |
| Waxworms are a
great 'snack food' for lizards. We say 'snack food' because
waxworms are very high in fat content,
and should be offered very sparingly. They have a light
tan coloured, very soft body, with a tiny brown head.
These worms are excellent feeder insects for malnourished
animals. They should not be fed to baby lizards in quantity,
and should only be offered a few times a week, and only
one or two at a time. |
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Statistics |
| Natural Location: |
Australia |
| Estimated Size: |
3/4" to 1" |
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Nutritional
Information |
| Moisture |
60.97 % |
| Ash |
0.97 % |
| Protein |
15.40 % |
| Fat |
20.12 % |
| Calories/Fat |
181.08 |
| Calcium (ml/100 grs) |
13.14 |
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Food
& Water |
| If you keep your
waxworms in the refrigerator, they do
not need to be fed anything. The hibernative state slows
their metabolism and negates any need for food. Like the
food, waxworms will not need any water when in their hibernative
state. |
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Lighting,
Temperature & Humidity |
5 - 10 degrees
C in your refrigerator. |
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Housing |
Keep your waxworms
in a plastic container, with an organic substrate, like
oat meal or wheat bran. Place the container in the refrigerator,
but make sure they will be dry. Once in a while, check
the worms. If the substrate is damp, change the it right
away. Damp substrate will lead to mould forming. They
can survive anywhere from 1 to 4 months in a hibernative
state. |
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Disease
& Sickness |
| The main point
to pay attention to is the dampness of the subtrate the
worms are kept in. You want to avoid mould growing in
the container. Mould can lead to problems if digested
by your lizard. If substrate becomes damp, change it immediatly.
Make sure to take out any black ones, they are dead, and
can cause the others to become diseased. |
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