Phoenix worms passed whole (poop pic, but don't worry, it just looks like phoenix worms)

[yoshimi]

Proof that my toad can't digest phoenix worms. Put him in a warm soak for a few min and this is what he left: 7 or 8 in here (the black ones were like that when they went in). At least one was still partially alive. All dead now, added to the others in the dead cup in my freezer. And poking small hole in them to aide in digestion? Well they die. Or at least stop moving. So, crickets and the last of the few purchased baby dubia til my breeders give birth, with a sparse few mealworms mixed in because I have them and those he can pass fine. >:[ Disappointed, and grossed out that the ones I've been finding in his substrate probably journeyed thru his system already and I fed them to him again. Basically, I unknowingly made him eat sh*t. I'm sorry Banjo. I wish I had dusted them with calcium or vitamins so at least he'd have gotten something from it. Might be a good idea for a toad or other critter who can't digest these? <sigh> Had high hopes for these.

[Sasha]

Thanks for posting this. I have whites tree frogs and I've been debating wether or not to feed them the small phoenix worms that I feed my beardie.

Do you think they passed right through because they were small?

[yoshimi]

i'd say give it a shot, since you already have them. maybe give them just a few and watch them eat them. if they don't eat them all at once, take bowl away and if you find any in there later, you know they have the same problem as my toad. if you find nothing, then it's a green light! they're a nutritious feeder, if they stay food and not adventurers taking a sight-seeing trip through digestive tracts.

[Sasha]

i'd say give it a shot, since you already have them. maybe give them just a few and watch them eat them. if they don't eat them all at once, take bowl away and if you find any in there later, you know they have the same problem as my toad. if you find nothing, then it's a green light! they're a nutritious feeder, if they stay food and not adventurers taking a sight-seeing trip through digestive tracts.

I'm actually now forced to feed them to my frogs because we are having the worst cold snap we've had in a long time. I'm afraid to order my normal crickets online because they might all be dead and our pet stores are having problems getting shipments in that are alive. I found some medium size ones I'm going to try those out on the frogs.

[kueluck]

What about nightcrawlers from Walmart or bait shop?

[Sasha]

I tried that before and they spit them out like it was broccoli! So I'm hoping they like the phoenix worms. I was able to get some crickets so I think we will be okay until next week if I just modify everyones feeding schedules.

[yoshimi]

Do you think they passed right through because they were small?

sorry didn't notice that last question.. these were labeled the large ones. but they really aren't that large. if your beardie (love those guys) can successfully eat the smalls you have, no reason the tree frogs should have an issue, if they can digest them fine. many or most frogs and toads can. i just hope nothing is seriously wrong with my little guy.

[kueluck]

If you're going to feed these worms, poke them with a pin first so they die quicker. I had the same issue with them not only coming thru whole, but still alive.

[yoshimi]

If you're going to feed these worms, poke them with a pin first so they die quicker. I had the same issue with them not only coming thru whole, but still alive.

i tried that and they seemed to die right away. or at least stopped moving. i was glad to see that none of the 13 he passed on his own were alive. but then, i don't know when he went to water bowl (bathroom). i used a thumbtack, cuz that's what i had handy. probably too large, maybe a sewing needle would work better. nevertheless, unless i dust them with vitamins, i'm not bothering with these any more. hoping the pet store has crickets today.

[yoshimi]

gah! more worm poop today. this time in his regular water bowl, which was good. was a surprise tho. THIRTEEN, i counted this time. and I haven't given him any since I found them in his warm water soak. so... anyone want my remaining phoenix worms? i know i don't.