Introduction
Materials Required
Basic setup
Breeding The Waxworms
Introduction
Waxworms can be a perfect treat for most reptiles and amphibians, however they should not be offered too frequently since they contain very high levels of fat. They are particularly useful for fattening up weak animals or for encouraging a reluctant eater to start eating. If you dont plan to breed them, they can simply be left in the container they arrived in and they will last in there for a couple of weeks. After this they will start to transform into moths, which can also be fed to some lizards. Offering waxworms too often can result in the animals turning down other food. Waxworms intended for feeding can be kept for quite a long time at around 60F, but breed most effectively at room temperature or slightly above.
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Materials
Required
The
materials required for a basic setup are as follows:
A
Description of the Basic Setup
Start by preparing the food/medium. In a warm pan, mix bran with honey until it is stiff and allow to cool completely. Crumble into small pieces.
Add a layer of food to about 1/2" depth to a container, crumple up a few sheets of paper and place them in the plastic container. The worms will use this to hide in and lay their eggs. Fit a ventilated lid, and add the waxworms. That's all they need!
Breeding Waxworms
After a while, the worms will attach themselves to the lid or to the sheets of paper and spin cocoons. The moths will emerge about a week after and lay eggs, which once hardened can be removed to a separate container. Provide some of the honey/bran mix as food and once large enough feed to your reptiles. Once they pupate, the cycle can be repeated again.
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