Race to feed the hornworms..

[webghost]

So when you order Hornworms, they come in quantities of over 20.. Being more as a treat than a staple food, and unless you have multiple chams, how does one go through the entire batch on time? I've seen how fast they grow and also how large they get.. I don't think my cham will ever be able to fit it in his mouth.. What do you guys do as I know some hornworms can grow to full size rather quickly making them too big for the cham.. Any thoughts?

 

[Texas Panther Man]

You can place the cup in the fridge every other day for 24hrs. It keeps them dormant. So they will grow at 1/2 the pace of cups kept out all the time.

 

[Solid Snake]

Out of the 30 I ordered(mixed) 28 arrived alive. One was to big for my tiny jackson already. I kept the rest as cool as possible. I was able to feed them all off, biggest first, except 2. So out of 30+(there were extras) I fed 25 sucssefully. I tried not to feed one everyday. But with one cham I almost had to. I fed two some days.

 

[carol5208]

I remove them from the chow for a day or so to slow down the growth. I just throw them in a tupperware container and then put them back in with the chow. I guess the fridge sounds easier but I was always afraid I was gonna kill them!

 

[Texas Panther Man]

No it wont kill em. I do the same thing with blue bottle flies and houseflies. You can slow em down and they dont have to be fed on the days you put them in the fridge. They last alot longer by doing this. Flies can be left in the fridge for a cpl of days without losses. I wouldnt go over 24hrs with horns though.

 

[BoopDoop]

If your chameleon could handle it, you could let them pupate, which I'm trying right now, and see if your chameleon likes moths. or just put them in the refrigerator for two days and then take them out.

 

[webghost]

If your chameleon could handle it, you could let them pupate, which I'm trying right now, and see if your chameleon likes moths. or just put them in the refrigerator for two days and then take them out.

Is the moth larger in size than the largest hornworm?

 

[carol5208]

Is the moth larger in size than the largest hornworm?

their bodies are shorter than a full size worm but are still pretty fat and they have a large wingspan.

 

[webghost]

Thanks for the helpful tips everyone. Now I know what to do...

Appreciate it!

 

[pssh]

they can be fed pretty regularly. They don't have to be once in a while treats if you don't want them to be. Feed them off however you want. Just be sure to add other bugs in there (especially ones with chitin.)