Are super worms dangerous?

[ZZJoshZZ]

I tried to feed my tarantula a superworm a few days ago but she did not eat it. The problem I have is that it burrowed into the substrate before I could get it and now I have no way of getting it out because I have no idea where in the substrate it is. I fear that she is near her next molt and just want to know, is this superworm going to pose a threat to her during molting?

 

[EulersK]

They CAN pose a threat, that's why I simply don't use them as feeders. Too easy to lose track of. Is she handleable? If so, I would recommend removing her for a short time and sifting through the substrate in search for the worm.

 

[jbm150]

I'm pretty sure they eat each other, at least when they die, and I know they bite. I hate when I drop one in and it buries before being eaten. I always try to get it out if I don't think the T will dig it up or if it is close to a molt. They're a great, larger-than-a-cricket feeder but can be a pain to use

 

[rob0t]

I feed super worms a lot. Just smash the head a bit before you drop it in and it will flail around enough without digging to get the tarantulas attention.

 

[LuiziBee]

Just smash the head. Besides the burrowing issue, my mature female B. vagans got nibbled on while eating one. Had a chunk taken out. She molted and is good now, but it happens.

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[ZZJoshZZ]

I am going to try and get it out as soon as possible. What about a superworms pupae period, how long does that last and will the Beetle come out after?

 

[MarkmD]

I also just crush thair heads.

 

[tisha]

I use both superworm and mealworms, I put them in a dish in the Ts enclosure so they won't escape. Works fine for all my Ts.

 

[BobGrill]

I use both superworm and mealworms, I put them in a dish in the Ts enclosure so they won't escape. Works fine for all my Ts.

The issue is if any get loose in the enclosure and burrow, because then they can resurface while the T is molting.

 

[tisha]

The issue is if any get loose in the enclosure and burrow, because then they can resurface while the T is molting.

Yes, I thought of editing my post after posting, but then I haven't had issues so I just left it as is and hope my reply would help prevent future escapes. :biggrin:

 

[Curious jay]

I am going to try and get it out as soon as possible. What about a superworms pupae period, how long does that last and will the Beetle come out after?

After pupating and adult beetle will emerge a couple of weeks after. If you have multiple larvae in one container they will not pupate.

 

[hamhock 74]

Geez, super worms are fine. If your tarantula is hungry it'll dig it up, if not then the worm will pupate and re-emerge as a black beetle that most tarantulas won't touch, remove it then. This is like the new super worm ate a hole through my reptile's stomach myth. They are not little marauders that wait around until your tarantula molts and munches them.

 

[BobGrill]

Geez, super worms are fine. If your tarantula is hungry it'll dig it up, if not then the worm will pupate and re-emerge as a black beetle that most tarantulas won't touch, remove it then. This is like the new super worm ate a hole through my reptile's stomach myth. They are not little marauders that wait around until your tarantula molts and munches them.

This is not like that at all. That's not even a valid comparison. Superworms can cause harm to a molting T. Don't believe me, then fine just keep doing what your're doing. Maybe you'll get lucky, but please stop spreading false information like that.

 

[SuzukiSwift]

They can be dangerous to Ts if they are lost in the substrate and resurface while the T is moulting yes, as everyone has said best thing to do is crush the head, it will still wriggle around for the T to find but it won't burrow. I used to use superworms (can't now cause my gf hates worms lol) and I would just drop them right in front of the T so they get tackled instantly and don't get the chance to escape, but of course it doesn't always work, head crush is the best way to go

 

[Shrike]

I can't definitively comment on whether or not superworms can be dangerous to tarantulas, but I use them as feeders regularly and have never had a problem, even with the odd subterranean escapee. In addition to crushing their heads, one technique that I find helpful is to entangle them in webbing, if possible. They're not very good at escaping and their constant movement is like ringing a dinner bell.

 

[viper69]

Just smash the head. Besides the burrowing issue, my mature female B. vagans got nibbled on while eating one. Had a chunk taken out. She molted and is good now, but it happens.

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Do you have a pic of the damage? That surprised me the T lived because they have an open circulatory system, unlike herps or mammals.

 

[845BigRed]

Shrikes post is pretty accurate, thats how I feed supers to my T's, I drop them in on webbing and they get gobbled right up. I keep an eye on them to prevent them from digging and have yet to have one escape me or my T, but you have to remember anything you put in there can bite your T just like your T will bite it.

 

[Poec54]

Geez, super worms are fine. If your tarantula is hungry it'll dig it up, if not then the worm will pupate and re-emerge as a black beetle that most tarantulas won't touch, remove it then. This is like the new super worm ate a hole through my reptile's stomach myth. They are not little marauders that wait around until your tarantula molts and munches them.

They're not a problem, until you lose a spider.

 

[hamhock 74]

Right, but has anyone actually lost a tarantula that was big enough to take superworms as a prey item to the superworm itself? Because what I'm trying to say here is that if the superworm is a nuisance to the tarantula it'll kill it regardless and as far a molting goes wouldn't the worm get tangled up in the webs of the molting mat as well? Hell, I've removed molts from tarantulas not long after they've molted and they are able to move away. Bottom line is they can take care of themselves with a little common sense on our part. One superworm is not enough to do any harm but if you are dumb enough to dump and leave 20 in there when the tarantula clearly isn't in the mood to eat then the blame is on you.

 

[viper69]

Because what I'm trying to say here is that if the superworm is a nuisance to the tarantula it'll kill it regardless and as far a molting goes wouldn't the worm get tangled up in the webs of the molting mat as well? Hell, I've removed molts from tarantulas not long after they've molted and they are able to move away. Bottom line is they can take care of themselves with a little common sense on our part. One superworm is not enough to do any harm but if you are dumb enough to dump and leave 20 in there when the tarantula clearly isn't in the mood to eat then the blame is on you.

I never use superworms myself for Ts. I will say though that quite a few different species Ts I've had flicked hairs at a cricket before they try and kill it (if they weren't hungry) or just plain ignore it. I think Ts are much more shy/defensive than offensive as far as animals go, even with prey items. They wait for JUST the right moment in their minds to attack a cricket that is clearly undersized. But they really don't walk well, they hobble compared to normal, plus their fangs are white and I have heard can break off while the fangs are still white. They are quite defenseless after a molt, not too mention extremely tired and fairly dehydrated compared to normal.