Silkworms: A Reptile Superfood?!
If your reptile has been living on a staple of crickets and mealworms, it might be time to add some variety to their menu! One of the best feeder insects that’s often overlooked? Silkworms! These soft-bodied caterpillars are packed with nutrition and ideal for many species of reptiles and amphibians!
Let’s dig into what makes silkworms such a valuable addition to your reptile’s diet and how to feed them safely.
1.
Nutritional Powerhouse
Silkworms are loaded with nutrients. Compared to crickets or mealworms, they bring higher protein, more moisture, and an ideal calcium-to-phosphorus ratio. That’s especially important for reptiles prone to metabolic bone disease (MBD), like bearded dragons and chameleons.
Key nutritional stats (approximate):
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Protein: ~55%
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Fat: Low (8%)
At only 8% fat, silkworms come in at one of the lowest fat feeder insect feeders you can get, which makes them a great option for animals that need to shave off a few grams!
2.
Gentle on the Digestive System
Silkworms are soft-bodied, meaning they’re much easier to digest than tougher feeders like superworms or mealworms–which have a hard exoskeleton made of chitin. This makes them especially great for:
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Young reptiles
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Older reptiles with slower digestion
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Animals recovering from illness or injury
3.
Low Maintenance (Sort Of)
Silkworms aren’t escape artists like crickets, and they don’t bite or smell bad. That’s a win for both you and your pet. However, they are a bit different from other feeders and require mulberry leaves or mulberry-based chow to survive long-term.
Thankfully, there are commercial foods that can be turned into gel that makes feeding silkworms easy! They recieve all of the moisture they need from their food, so no need to add a water dish!
Basic care tips:
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Keep them between 75–85°F
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Feed daily with fresh mulberry leaves or silkworm chow/gel
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Clean out spoiled food and waste to avoid mold
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They don’t need water—too much moisture can actually kill them!
You can buy them in bulk and raise them yourself, or order fresh batches when needed from feeder suppliers.
4.
Great for Fussy Eaters
Silkworms move slowly and don’t have a hard shell or bitter taste, so many reptiles take to them very quickly. If your gecko or lizard is being a little stubborn with their usual food, offering a wriggly silkworm may tempt them back to the bowl!
Plus, they’re a great choice to hand-feed, since they don’t bite or squirm wildly.
How to Feed Silkworms to Your Reptile
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Size matters: Choose silkworms no larger than the space between your reptile’s eyes
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Tongs or fingers: Hand-feed gently using tongs, forceps, or your hands, or drop them in a feeding dish
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Dust: Based on your supplementation schedule, you should dust your silkworms before feeding them to your reptile
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Use promptly: Once they reach full size, silkworms will cocoon and become moths—still edible, but not the best texture for all reptiles (and SUPER cute.... I personally couldn't feed them off!!)
Who Loves Silkworms?
Silkworms can be great for many different reptile species, but here it a list of a few that seem to be particularly fond of Silkworms:
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Bearded Dragons
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Leopard Geckos
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Crested Geckos
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Blue Tongue Skinks
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Frogs
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Tarantulas
Final Thoughts: Variety Is Key
Silkworms shouldn’t be the only feeder in your reptile’s diet, but they’re an excellent rotational option that brings serious nutritional value to the table. When used alongside a mix of staple insects like dubia roaches, crickets, and super/meal worms, they help round out a complete, balanced diet.
Want to learn more about creating a healthy life for your reptile? Check out our other reptile care blogs!
