Gut load for Mealworms

[Miss Lily]

Up until now I have always used apple and rocket to gut load my mealworms. Having read a post on another thread by ferretinmyshoes that apple is not very good to use, what else could I use that is like apple - ie not too wet and something that they will eat? I have tried carrot, potato and turnip but they don't seem to like that. I keep them on a mix of wheat bran and wheatgerm which they also eat.

 

[AngieL]

Hi! We actually use Sandrachameleon's dry gutload for our mealworms. They gobble it up in no time! We don't feed mealies to our chameleon but it's mostly what the geckos eat. We give wet gutload to the locusts and that kinda balances it out

 

[sandrachameleon]

Up until now I have always used apple and rocket to gut load my mealworms. Having read a post on another thread by ferretinmyshoes that apple is not very good to use, what else could I use that is like apple - ie not too wet and something that they will eat? I have tried carrot, potato and turnip but they don't seem to like that. I keep them on a mix of wheat bran and wheatgerm which they also eat.

This is what I use (more or less) as the substrate /dry gutload: https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/443-superworm-substrate-gutload-one.html
for water source, there is nothing wrong with using apple periodically, IMHO, although you want to mix up the options.
I use all sorts of things - Rocket, dandelion, basil, lemon mint, shaved /shredded carrot, grape vine leaves, small pieces of kiwi, bits of watermellon, small slices of apple, yam and squash(lightly steamed then cooled first)....
i dont know why carrot hasnt worked for you, they are fast to eat it when I offer it. Why did Ferret say not to use apple?

 

[Miss Lily]

Apparently they are low in calcium - see post #10 in this thread https://www.chameleonforums.com/possible-start-mbd-90371/ It's a shame as that is the only thing I can get mine to eat. Carrot and turnip both shrivel up whereas only skin is leftover from the apple. They don't seem too interested in rocket leaves either - these ten to dry up and not get eaten.

Edit - Sandra, I have just read your blog (which again is very helpful!) - which are the most important ingredients to concentrate on in case I can't get everything on that list?

 

[AngieL]

I think that advice was specifically for the chameleon who had a calcium problem. I think he had mbd but it wasn't due to husbandry issues so he had to have more than the usual amount of calcium.

 

[sandrachameleon]

No matter what you feed to mealworms, they're not going to be high in calcium, and will therefore have to be dusted with a supplement powder (unless used only as a rare treat, or in combination with a high calcium feeder, like a butterworm)

for the stuff I use as substrate, very little of it is truly necessary for maintaining a mealworm colony - they survive well with just bran as a substrate and a few drops of juice or fruit for hydration. If I were to pick just three subtrate ingredients, I'd go with wheat bran primarily (cheap and readily accepted), a few seeds/nuts and any two of the ground alfalfa or the dandelion leaves or the stabalized rice bran.

 

[DavidBuchan]

Mine always eat carrot quickly too. Butternut squash is relatively high calcium and keeps it's moisture quite well. Doesn't shrivel up too much. Maybe you should slice the carrot thicker? Apple is fine too, I'm sure you don't feed very many mealworms anyway

 

[absolutbill]

I also use carrot for my mealworms - I just break them in 1/2. I also throw in potatoes cut in 1/2, and the stalks from collard greens and kale - I feed those greens to my beardies and the mealworms go to my leopard gecko. Good luck!