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Zophobas morio aka Superworm
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Tenebrio molitor aka Mealworm
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Protein Levels
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17.4%
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20.27%
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Calcium Ratios
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10.8%
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3.2%
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Fat Ratios
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16%
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13%
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Fiber Ratios
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6.8%
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1.73%
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Not able to be refrigerated
Can bite and sting your pet
Has more chitin
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Can be refrigerated
Harmless to your pet
Has more meat
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A
superworm is around 5x larger
than a mealworm when you take into account girth and length. Most of the size
difference comes from a superworm having more chitin, their shell, than
mealworms do. This gives them less meat, but a higher concentration of calcium,
fiber, and fat. Another difference is the lack of ability to refrigerate
superworms to keep them in a sort of hibernation until your pet needs them to
eat. Superworms also have a stronger jaw for biting, and a head spike they can
use to ward off predators which can give your pet a nasty surprise. Most
reptiles can learn quickly to take them by the head to avoid getting stung, or,
before you put the superworms in their enclosure, you can use tweezers to give
the worm a little squeeze on the head to knock them out.
All in all, a
mealworm will give about the same sustenance a
superworm will give, with little difference. However, if your reptile is a
little older and wiser, superworms can give a bit more benefit without worrying
about getting bit or stung by the superworm.
Giant mealworms are a regular mealworm
tenebrio molitor that has been treated with a hormone to delay pupation
which allows them to grow to a larger size. Because Giants are regular mealworms
this also allows them to be stored in the refrigerator and treated in the same
way as large mealworms. They will sometimes pupate into beetles but due to being
treated with the growth inhibitor hormone they are sterile. Giants grow
significantly plumper and slightly longer than regular mealworms making them a
great choice for larger reptiles and as a bait option for pan fish.
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