Anyone fed silkworms to frogs? Here's why I'm trying them...

dendromom · Guest

I ordered a batch of eggs and mulched mulberry leaves from The Silkworm Shop, a.k.a. www.buyfruitflies.com. I think they'd be a better choice than flies b/c they are more hygenic, higher in protein, they don't make a nasty stink and they don't eat wet media, which decays and molds, etc. I just haven't seen any threads lately on them, so I want to see if anyone's had previous experience with them. I've kept them before---they're very soft and smell funny, but don't stink.

dendromom · Guest

Anybody?...ECHO....ECHO......echo...........echo

RichFrye · Joined: 09 Jun 2004 Posts: 1718 Location: Chicago

My brother and a couple friends tried them. Major, major pain in the butt to do. Great nutrition for the larger frogs (I think you have imis?) but judging from their attempts I don't think I would stick with it as a regular thing.

Rich

dendromom · Guest

dendromom · Guest

UPDATE---I have found that it's not hard to raise them as long as you don't put a lid on the container and make sure food stays moist daily if you're using prepared food and if using fresh mulberry leaves, that the leaves are not dried out. Otherwise, aside from shaking worm poop to the bottom of the tray, they're relatively clean creatures, there's no mold issues if raised without a lid and they're more nutritious than FFs. I'll keep raising them---I've had good success so far. Mine have just made their cocoons and are ready to morph in a week or so.

hunt · Guest

I have used silk worms in the past. Leucomelas love them!

InnoEcto · Joined: 12 Jan 2010 Posts: 6 Location: Colorado

We have found silworms to be a great feeder. From what we have noticed, our Tincs don't seem to like them as much though.

ChrisK · Joined: 17 Mar 2009 Posts: 85 Location: NY

Do the imitators take them?

InnoEcto · Joined: 12 Jan 2010 Posts: 6 Location: Colorado

We have had adult thumbnails take them, including standard imis. As the Silkworms wiggle their heads around quite a lot they seem to be quite appealing to the frogs.

SGcvn69 · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 14 Location: Pittsburgh, PA

How big are the silkies that you are feeding? I have never hatched them from eggs before, but have bought the smallest size to grow for my bearded dragon and you're right...they are the easiest and cleanest feeders to have around!

InnoEcto · Joined: 12 Jan 2010 Posts: 6 Location: Colorado

They are very tiny when they hach out. Would say 2-3mm in length.

SGcvn69 · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 14 Location: Pittsburgh, PA

Ah ok...how do you hatch them?

InnoEcto · Joined: 12 Jan 2010 Posts: 6 Location: Colorado

We order ours in eggs form from a supplier. All that is required to hatch them within about a week of them arriving is to store them around 80F or so. Then, when they hatch it is best to keep them at that same temp until they are around 2 weeks hatched where they can then be kept at a lower room temp if you prefer. Be sure once they hatch that they always have fresh food, in way of mulberry leaves or silkworm chow.

Hope this answers some questions. If you have any other questions feel free to ask and we will try to answer it for you.

SGcvn69 · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 14 Location: Pittsburgh, PA

Thanks! Will have to give that a try sometime! They are neat creatures!