Worms!!

[drurymercy]

Hi friends sorry I’ve been MIA just more house stuff. But hopefully home by Monday!! Today I’m cutting heads off waxworks I’ve fed them these a few times as a special treat when they molt. Well on the last one I noticed worms!! I cut the rest up they all had them. I panicked and pulled them away from my T’s but they have had them already 2 other times. Is it 100% my collection will get infected? Do I call PetSmart or timberline? O I’ve spent thousands and have done that are pretty rare I would never b able to replace some of them. Literally sick to my stomach right now!! I’m almost to my sisters where I’m doing some electrical so if I’m slow responding I’m sorry but I just had to ask so I’m not worrying and not sleeping. Thanks my friends!!

 

[viper69]

No
Why

 

[NMTs]

First of all, there's no need to cut the head off wax worms - they're harmless to your T.

Second, how long have you been feeding these wax worms to your T's? Have you seen any indication that any of your T's are unhealthy since then? If not, then there's no need to borrow trouble - what's done is done. If you don't want to feed those wax worms to your T's anymore then discard them. There's always a risk that any feeder insect may be carrying a parasite of some sort, but there's not much you can do about it other than get them from trusted sources.

 

[drurymercy]

First of all, there's no need to cut the head off wax worms - they're harmless to your T.

Second, how long have you been feeding these wax worms to your T's? Have you seen any indication that any of your T's are unhealthy since then? If not, then there's no need to borrow trouble - what's done is done. If you don't want to feed those wax worms to your T's anymore then discard them. There's always a risk that any feeder insect may be carrying a parasite of some sort, but there's not much you can do about it other than get them from trusted sources.

Thx! I fed them 2 other times in past month and a half. And I sometimes think they act more stressed but it could be now I have them at my sisters and not the hotel for the past 2 weeks and she has cats and is loud s ok that’s what I just assumed that new behaviors was from. I had another friend tell me she is sure they are the digestive tracts? I’ve never noticed before but I guess I sure need to pay better attention. I only cut the heads off for my teeny tiny slings so they will eat them more easily. lol I did toss them thought about feeding them to the axolotl but I would rather be safe than sorry

 

[NMTs]

Thx! I fed them 2 other times in past month and a half. And I sometimes think they act more stressed but it could be now I have them at my sisters and not the hotel for the past 2 weeks and she has cats and is loud s ok that’s what I just assumed that new behaviors was from. I had another friend tell me she is sure they are the digestive tracts? I’ve never noticed before but I guess I sure need to pay better attention. I only cut the heads off for my teeny tiny slings so they will eat them more easily. lol I did toss them thought about feeding them to the axolotl but I would rather be safe than sorry

I used to have wax worms all the time to feed to my baby turtles - the high fat & protein content helps them gain weight quickly. I've had an abundance of mealworms and roaches lately, though, so it's been a while since I had any wax worms - otherwise I'd pull one apart right now to see if I can find the same thing. Maybe someone else can help us by participating in a little experiment if they have wax worms?

I think you're on the right track!

 

[kingshockey]

Thx! I fed them 2 other times in past month and a half. And I sometimes think they act more stressed but it could be now I have them at my sisters and not the hotel for the past 2 weeks and she has cats and is loud s ok that’s what I just assumed that new behaviors was from. I had another friend tell me she is sure they are the digestive tracts? I’ve never noticed before but I guess I sure need to pay better attention. I only cut the heads off for my teeny tiny slings so they will eat them more easily. lol I did toss them thought about feeding them to the axolotl but I would rather be safe than sorry

cats wont make much difference to your ts so long as they arent able to move or knock the cages over mine always makes sure the ts catch their food sisters are always loud not much to be done about that unless you buy ear plugs

 

[drurymercy]

I used to have wax worms all the time to feed to my baby turtles - the high fat & protein content helps them gain weight quickly. I've had an abundance of mealworms and roaches lately, though, so it's been a while since I had any wax worms - otherwise I'd pull one apart right now to see if I can find the same thing. Maybe someone else can help us by participating in a little experiment if they have wax worms?

I think you're on the right track!

Ooohh I miss my turtles!! Thank u for the offer though hahaha I actually love experimenting

 

[drurymercy]

cats wont make much difference to your ts so long as they arent able to move or knock the cages over mine always makes sure the ts catch their food sisters are always loud not much to be done about that unless you buy ear plugs

Lmfao that’s what my sisters cats do they brought in their toy and chirped to my MM T albo yesterday which I thought was THE cutest she only does that for my sister!! Hopefully I get to move them home tomorrow or Monday I miss watching them the whole day. lol it’s ok I’m loud in a different way that I never shutup so they are kinda use to that. Your cats are too freaking cute btw!!

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

are they caterpillars or beetle larva I’ve never cut the heads off of anything but super and mealworms . Strong mandibles…

 

[Charliemum]

are they caterpillars or beetle larva I’ve never cut the heads off of anything but super and mealworms . Strong mandibles…

They turn in to wax moths.

Op is it not the intestinal track out the caterpillar? Or does it move on its own?

 

[drurymercy]

They turn in to wax moths.

Op is it not the intestinal track out the caterpillar? Or does it move on its own?

So it twitched when I first pulled it out but that might have been my hand shaking once I laid them down immediately there was no movement! I think I panicked too soon I didn’t realize their digestive tracts could just pull out so effortlessly!! I’m going to cut open my mealworms and super worms today once I get to my sisters to see if they have that too! I think the horror stories of PetSmart just made me think the worst

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

So it twitched when I first pulled it out but that might have been my hand shaking once I laid them down immediately there was no movement! I think I panicked too soon I didn’t realize their digestive tracts could just pull out so effortlessly!! I’m going to cut open my mealworms and super worms today once I get to my sisters to see if they have that too! I think the horror stories of PetSmart just made me think the worst

I only chop up worms for slings, or plump juvys who can’t eat a whole worm. I however would consider thwacking / chopping the heads to not risk a small t getting bitten. I don’t have to do so for my 2.5” curly . Look up wax worm anatomy.

 

[drurymercy]

I only chop up worms for slings, or plump juvys who can’t eat a whole worm. I however would consider thwacking / chopping the heads to not risk a small t getting bitten. I don’t have to do so for my 2.5” curly . Look up wax worm anatomy.

Omg why didn’t I think of that??!! I googled waxwork guts…not what I was expecting glad h reminded me of technical term!! Glad you’re still here u always give me good advice!

 

[Gevo]

Just because a worm has a worm, it doesn’t automatically mean it can pass it to your T. Parasites are species-specific, and while some can infect several species, many can’t, or they can do so only at certain points in their lifecycle or via specific transmission routes.

I don’t know what parasites waxworms carry or what can be passed to T’s, so maybe try researching it or seeing if someone experienced in this area chimes in, but don’t panic in the meantime because there’s a good chance everything is fine.

 

[Brewser]

worms with worms... Heaven Help Us

 

[Charliemum]

So it twitched when I first pulled it out but that might have been my hand shaking once I laid them down immediately there was no movement! I think I panicked too soon I didn’t realize their digestive tracts could just pull out so effortlessly!! I’m going to cut open my mealworms and super worms today once I get to my sisters to see if they have that too! I think the horror stories of PetSmart just made me think the worst

They do that's why I suggested it may be intestinal track, I get the same thing on morio n mealworms it the head doesn't pop off clean .

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

Omg why didn’t I think of that??!! I googled waxwork guts…not what I was expecting glad h reminded me of technical term!! Glad you’re still here u always give me good advice!

yep basics like searching that answer a lot to questions.
Unless a caterpillar has mandibles as sharp or cutting as a super worm I wouldn’t bother chopping heads . My slings 2” used to eat them whole no issues . You can always cool them down or thwack the head with a pair of giant tongs. To disordient without splatting precious bug juice lol.
caterpillar with high defenses probably aren’t served to pets.

 

[Tarantuland]

Nearly everything has worms of some kind or another and the worms have worms and mites

 

[spideyspinneret78]

Definitely. Pretty much every organism has parasites....even hyperparasitism is common in nature. As disturbing as they may appear, parasites play an important role in the ecosystem. I think it's fascinating stuff because there's still so much we don't understand about parasites. I just prefer that oral nematodes, bloodsucking mites, and parasitic insect larvae stay well away from my tarantulas!