Mealworm only diet, protein content and quantity?

lord lionheart

Arachnopeon
Joined
Apr 4, 2011
Messages
47
I've been feeding my T's mealworms only for the past week or two and they really seem to like them. I'm just curious if there's a formula of how many mealworms per inch of spider I should feed?
Generally I feed my 1/2 - 1" sling half a mealworm cut up, my 2 - 3" T's get one mealworm and my 2 larger T's get a couple of mealworms. I do this twice a week ( molting, pre-molting etc. aside) I can't decide if this is enough?

Also someone posted a link to the nutritional value of crickets/roaches/mealworms etc.

I've done a search and can't find anyone who feeds exclusively mealworms, is this okay? The results seem a bit vague from my search. Of course I also searched for the nutrition info. and can't find that either. I should have bookmarked it :rolleyes:
 

DannyH

Arachnobaron
Joined
Apr 27, 2011
Messages
350
I've heard that mealworms are higher in fat than roaches and crickets, but thats about it.
 

skar

Arachnobaron
Old Timer
Joined
Jan 19, 2010
Messages
434
I've been feeding my T's mealworms only for the past week or two and they really seem to like them. I'm just curious if there's a formula of how many mealworms per inch of spider I should feed?
Generally I feed my 1/2 - 1" sling half a mealworm cut up, my 2 - 3" T's get one mealworm and my 2 larger T's get a couple of mealworms. I do this twice a week ( molting, pre-molting etc. aside) I can't decide if this is enough?

Also someone posted a link to the nutritional value of crickets/roaches/mealworms etc.

I've done a search and can't find anyone who feeds exclusively mealworms, is this okay? The results seem a bit vague from my search. Of course I also searched for the nutrition info. and can't find that either. I should have bookmarked it :rolleyes:
In general it is better to feed a varied diet, I'm not sure on nutritional value
of each feeder . God I wish I could find the link to the study I read on this.
Anyhow the T's fed a varied diet and every 3 days had much better color and growth. I feed varied crick and mealworms according to abd size ( I like fat chicks ). However your T's should be fine on mealworms from what I know.
size I feed the prey usually same size as the sling.
 
Last edited:

lord lionheart

Arachnopeon
Joined
Apr 4, 2011
Messages
47
Found the links here after another search;

http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?t=91107

http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?t=165226&highlight=feeder+protein

Here's a link to the information here. Essentially it comes down to higher protein for mealworms versus higher mositure for crickets, which could be essential if your T is relying on it's food for hydration ( slings?) It gives nutritional info. but not what it means specific to T's needs. I guess variety is the spice of life

http://doubleds.org/contactus.html


1. B. Laterallis
2. B. Dubia
3. Crickets
4. Meal worms
5. Portentosa.

Sample Moisture Protein Fat Fiber Ash

B. Laterallis 63.63% 36.5% 5.31% 2.19% 1.95%

B. Dubia 61.18% 35.6% 6.75% 3.25% 2.01%

Meal worms 58.74% 21.0% 15.52% 2.01% 1.18%

Crickets 71.96% 18.5% 6.26% 2.09% 1.29%

G. Portentosa 64.09% 26.7% 5.05% 5.62% 1.37%
 

gromgrom

Arachnoprince
Old Timer
Joined
Nov 30, 2009
Messages
1,743
my LP molted to a MM last night, 4 months since its last molt. it was fed a fuzzy mouse, lots of giant cave roaches, and large crickets.

the previous molt took 8 months and was mostly crickets and (light, small amount of) roaches.

i almost wanna assume the variation of feeders caused it, as i fed at the same frequency. But I wont say it for sure :) because I dont know.
 

flamesbane

Arachnobaron
Old Timer
Joined
Dec 10, 2008
Messages
527
Generally I feed my 1/2 - 1" sling half a mealworm cut up, my 2 - 3" T's get one mealworm and my 2 larger T's get a couple of mealworms. I do this twice a week ( molting, pre-molting etc. aside) I can't decide if this is enough?
If their abdomen is plump then that is plenty. There is no real rule of thumb for any style feeder.
 
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